Abbott Just Appointed a Violent Man and Some Texans Are Furious

Governor Abbott has recently appointed a new person to serve on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. This commission is in charge of setting the minimum licensing and training standards for police statewide.

A COMPLICATED PAST

The new appointee has raised more than a few eyebrows due to this person's complicated past. New appointee, Justin Berry, is one of the 18 indicted Austin police officers accused of using excessive force during a George Floyd 2020 protest.

The case Berry is involved in documents an account of police officers with little training in riot control wreaking havoc on unarmed demonstrators. During a protest Berry, in particular, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault by a public servant.

MOVING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION

“This is an indicted officer who is now part of the body licensing and regulating law enforcement agencies,” Sara Mokuria, co-founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality, told the Texas Tribune. “It’s a move in the wrong direction, and it makes us unsafe."

State Representative Jarvis Johnson, responded to the news in a tweet that reads:

“Nothing says ethical law enforcement standards quite like appointing a police officer charged with Aggravated Assault from his actions during the George Floyd protest...which were about police brutality."

DEFENDING THE DECISION

Regardless of the divided public opinions, Gov. Abbott and Berry defended the decision. A spokesperson for Abbott's office writes, “Justin Berry is a proven public servant who has selflessly worked to protect his community and his fellow Texans; the officers who worked during the 2020 protests deserve to be praised, not prosecuted.”