Draft:Pearland Police Department

Pearland Police Department
Pearland Police Department Logo
Agency overview
Formed	1960; 64 years ago
Employees	185
Annual budget	$51m USD (2020)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	Pearland, Texas, USA
Operational structure
Agency executive	Johnny Spires, Chief of Police
Facilities
Patrol cars	Ford Police Interceptor Utility Ford Police Interceptor Sedan Chevrolet Tahoe
Website
https://www.pearlandtx.gov/departments/police

The Pearland Police Department (PPD) is the primary municipal law enforcement agency serving the City of Pearland, Texas, United States. With approximately 185 sworn police officers and 262 civilian personnel it makes it one of the larger suburban police forces in the state. Pearland's rapid growth makes it one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. It's police station is located at 2555 Cullen Blvd in Pearland

PPD's jurisdiction neighbors with Houston, Brookside Village, Pasadena, Friendswood, Alvin, & Manvel.

History

Beginnings

Two PPD patrol cars on the side in 2009

The Pearland Police Department was founded on April of 1960, following a pivotal vote by the newly formed Pearland City Council. This significant decision marked the establishment of a law enforcement agency protecting and serving the growing community. At the time of creation, R.V. Johnson was appointed as the first Chief of Police, becoming not only the leader of the department but also the first paid employee in the history of the City of Pearland. Under Chief Johnson's leadership, the department began with a determined team, hiring two police officers to carryout the duties of law enforcement. Those two officers were tasked with patrolling and ensuring the entire safety of the city only spanning two square miles and was home to a population of 1,467 residents. Despite it's small size, the creation of the Pearland Police Department marked a critical step in the city's growth and commitment to public safety.

Patrol officers standing for a photo

Modern Times

The City of Pearland is a dynamic growing city of 132,300 served by 185 sworn police officers. The department is led by Chief Johnny Spires, a law enforcement executive with more than 30 years of police experience. Chief Spires is responsible for the department's 4 divisions and more than 262 City employees in various areas of the police department that include: Patrol, Traffic Enforcement, Criminal Investigations Division, SWAT, K-9, School Resource Officers, Professional Standards, Telecommunications, Animal Services, Jail, and more.

Citizens Police Academy

In 1995, the Pearland Police Department created the Citizens Police Academy to educate citizens 'how' and 'why' of law enforcement, and to provide Police Officers the opportunity to meet and hear the citizens they serve.

The class has topics such as officer survival, patrol procedures, SWAT, criminal investigation, narcotics, K9, motorcycles and more. All interested applicants need to be at minimum 18 years old.

Drone Program

Pearland Police Officer prepares a DJI Matrice 30 Drone for flight

During 2023, the Pearland Police Department received a certificate of authorization to operate drones without an operator having to visually observe it, making it first in the United States. The purpose of this is so they can immediately dispatch drones in response to emergency calls, allowing for situational awareness of the entire scene of the incident. This allows the drone operator to relay information to the first responders and to those approaching the scene maximizing the safety for other first responders and officers.

Cole's Flea Market Shooting

On November 12, 2023, an argument happened at the flea market, resulting in a shooting between five victims. One being 10 years old, 14 years old, 16 years old, 18 years old and 37 years old. The suspects name was identified as David Negrete and an arrest warrant was soon issued. Negrete surrendered to law enforcement after being identified and posted on social media for being in connection to the shooting. Governor Greg Abbot announced a $15,000 USD reward for anybody who helped law enforcement arrest him.

Use of force by police

In 2015, ex-NFL player Lamar Lathon says that a Pearland Police Officer drew his handgun on him without reason during a traffic stop for speeding. Later, the department released the full video of the dashcam of the events that occurred. The department says that Lamar Lathon was reaching underneath the seat while being told to not do that, and after several warnings the officer unholsters his handgun in worry that Lamar was reaching for a weapon. According to the department, what the officer did was professional. The Pearland Police Officers Association President John Despain claimed that Lamar Lathon was lying, and called on him to apologize for making inaccurate and inflammatory mischaracterizations of his treatment by the Pearland Police Department.

In 2021, a Pearland Police motorcycle officer spotted Johneisha Lewis allegedly going 48 in a 20 mph zone and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Lewis then ran from the officer until stopping again. She failed to comply to the initial officer until another officer shows up and then force her out the car with her not complying. The officer then tasers her and she then complies and she faces two Class C criminal charges. Videos then surfaced on the internet showing those two officers forcing her out the car while she's allegedly three weeks pregnant. The department and NAACP launched an investigation saying that the two officers did not use excessive force.

Patrol vehicles

PPDs current modern livery.

As of 2024, the department primarily uses the Ford Police Interceptor Utility and Chevrolet Tahoe PPV as their main fleet of patrol vehicles, replacing the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (2003-2020). There are still Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors in the station's parking lot, however are no longer used in service as of 2024. Because of Ford discontinuing the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, the department has chosen to phase the Ford Police Interceptor Utility in service as of 2015, later the following year, they phased the newer Chevrolet Tahoe PPV models in service to today. In 2016, the department phased in the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan to be used for mostly administrative operations, and as a sedan compared to the original Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. There is also a small fleet of Chevrolet Tahoe PPV and Ford Police Interceptor Utility which are primarily used as stealth vehicles more known as "ghost vehicles" with having no marked lightbar on top of the vehicle and the livery is transparent where you can barely see it. The department also uses Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In 2020, the department phased in the 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility, and later in 2023, the department phased in the more updated Chevrolet Tahoe PPV used for patrol and commercial vehicle operations. The vehicle livery for most patrol vehicles currently is a blue stripe going across the vehicle, with the departments logo, and text saying "PEARLAND" "POLICE." As of 2023, the department also changed their vehicle liveries to a more modern and slick style on the newer patrol vehicles. It consists of two blue sloped stripes, the departments badge, and text on the side saying "POLICE" "PEARLAND" with the American and Texas flag on each side of the vehicle. The department also has multiple humvees and a BAE Caiman for rescue operations with SWAT. The outfitting on most of the patrol vehicles consist from brands by CODE 3 and GoRhino. Most of the patrol vehicle's lightbars are equipped with either the Code 3 RX2700, or Code 3 Pursuit. Older vehicles prior 2013 were equipped with the Code 3 TR21.

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Pearland Police Department, 3 officers have died in the line of duty. The Pearland Police Officer Association raised money to build a memorial for Pearland's fallen officers in 2017. The memorial pays tribute to all officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep Pearland safe.

Pearland Police Department's Memorial Garden

Henry O. Wendell, Jr

Henry O. Wendell, Jr was struck and killed on October 6, 1967 by a vehicle while directing traffic on Main Street and Plum Street following a high school football game. Officer Wendell had only served with the Pearland Police Department for two months. He was survived by his wife and five children.

James Howard Cassidy, Jr

James Howard Cassidy, Jr was struck and killed on May 16, 1973 by a commercial truck while escorting other trucks through the city. He was stopped on the Gulf Freeway when he was struck. Officer Cassidy was a United States Airforce Vietnam War Veteran and had served with the Pearland Police Department for five years and previously served with the Lufkin Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Tribute to Officer Endy Ekpanya on 518

Endy Ekpanya

Endy Ekpanya was killed on June 12, 2016 when his patrol car was struck head-on by a drunk driver between the intersection of East Broadway Street and Country Club Drive while responding to a non-emergency call. Officer Ekpanya had served with the Pearland Police Department for one year. He is survived by his 2-year-old son and fiancée.