Police union: Kinlaw’s, chief’s actions disappointing

Published 7:11 pm Friday, January 12, 2018

The Port Arthur Police Association has issued a statement supporting its union members after a Jan. 6 interaction between first-responders and City Councilman Thomas Kinlaw III.

The PAPA expressed understanding at Kinlaw’s situation — his daughter had been involved in a car wreck and injured — but disappointment at Kinlaw’s actions and words that were captured on a video and made public by an anonymous individual.

PAPA also said it is disappointed that Police Chief Patrick Melvin missed an opportunity to take a stand behind his officers and only offered a brief statement to The Port Arthur News about the incident, saying only that his officers acted appropriately.

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Police, fire and emergency medical service personnel responded to the traffic accident on Jan. 6; Kinlaw arrived shortly thereafter. While officers were trying to secure the scene so they could investigate, Kinlaw parked his vehicle directly in and on top of an active crash scene.

“Councilman Kinlaw’s concern for his daughter is totally understandable. His arrogance, ignorance of state laws, apparent lack of respect for both responding Port Arthur Police and fire officers is not understandable,” the police association statement said.

Many of the first-responders have family and children and, the statement said, take pride in practicing sensitivity and compassion for any concerned parent and their children. They are trained to deal with these situations on a daily basis, the association said.

Kinlaw, PAPA noted, ignored several first-responders who were simply trying to identify him and his intentions, then identified himself as a councilman and family member of the victim and entered the ambulance. He also refused to move his truck.

“If the councilman had simply approached first-responders, identified himself, explained his intentions, and asked about his daughter, we would not be having to make any reference to this incident,” the statement noted. “Then, had the councilman simply removed his vehicle (himself), instead of ordering police officers to move it, most of this would not be ‘news.’

“We are not upset with Mr. Kinlaw. Police officers are trained to deal with unfortunate situations and do so daily. The Association hopes that the councilman’s daughter is recovering well.”

The association’s issue with the chief in the aftermath of the situation ties to a larger, continuing issue between the union and the chief.

Late last year, the association issued a vote of no confidence against Melvin, saying the chief’s leadership has created low morale, division among officers, the loss of officers and more.

“We believe, due to the amount of media attention this story has received, and that it involves a prominent city official, that Chief Melvin should publicly state that he fully supports his officers and that they acted professionally and within policy,” the statement read. “This would help assure all department personnel that they have his support and that he is willing to take a potentially uncomfortable public stance, in support of his officers, when they are correct.

“We believe that Chief Melvin is missing a unique opportunity to try and regain the respect from the rank–and-file members of the Police Department, especially in light of the recent ‘no confidence’ vote.”

The union leadership said it learned that Melvin did meet and speak with Kinlaw at the hospital shortly after the incident to check on Kinlaw’s daughter.

Association leaders said they understand the chief’s concern for an injured citizen but know of no situation where Melvin met or visited with officers or employees in his department when they were injured or ill.