DALLAS, TX - Four Dallas police officers faced disciplinary action following an incident involving Dynell Lane, a disabled veteran, at a Deep Ellum pizzeria. Lane, who served in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Iraq, was denied access to a restroom despite providing documentation of his disability.
Body camera footage showed officers laughing about Lane's situation, leading to public outrage and an investigation.
After the footage emerged during an August 2023 Community Police Oversight Board (CPOB) meeting, the officers received written reprimands and were required to undergo unspecified training, as confirmed by Major Irene Alanis of the Dallas Police Department's Internal Affairs Division.
“I know that it would have some sensitivity nexus to it, but the specific block of instruction that will be provided or where they will have to sit in on, I do not know,” Alanis stated. “I do believe that the academies will have to work with the assistant chief to see exactly what direction he’s wanting to go in and what training those officers are to attend.”
The incident prompted discussions about bathroom access legislation, including Ally's Laws, aimed at accommodating individuals with disabilities. Concerns were raised about transparency and accountability within the police department, with the Community Police Oversight Board expressing frustration over the adjudication process and limited disclosure of information in internal affairs cases.
“That absolutely turned my stomach,” said CPOB board member and former Marine, Jonathan Maples. “It’s absolutely appalling to treat one of our veterans that way.”
Lane's complaint led to a renewed investigation, highlighting the importance of civilian oversight in holding law enforcement accountable. The Community Police Oversight Board cited broader concerns about the handling of internal affairs cases by the Dallas Police Department in a letter to the Dallas City Council.
The letter emphasized discrepancies between the board's mandate for transparency and the restrictions imposed by the police department on information disclosure. It called for greater transparency and accountability in handling complaints against officers, stressing the need for timely and thorough investigations to maintain public trust.
"The current restrictions on disclosures to the Board and the public leaves the Board ill-equipped to accomplish its mandated duty of transparency in cases like the Lane case. The delay and lack of information provided has been unacceptable," the document said.
Police Chief Eddie Garcia was copied on the correspondence, indicating acknowledgment of the board's concerns. The interim director for the Office of Community Police Oversight confirmed that Lane would receive a letter from the police department upon the conclusion of the investigation.
The incident involving Lane sparked discussions about police conduct and accountability, underscoring the importance of civilian oversight in ensuring transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies.
As the investigation continues, stakeholders advocate for reforms to address systemic issues and improve trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
“The Dallas Police Department failed me,” Lane told the CPOB board at its monthly meeting on Aug. 8, 2023. “Two Dallas police officers discriminated against me and declined to assist me in bridging the gap between myself and the Serious Pizza manager.”
Body camera footage showed officers laughing about Lane's situation, leading to public outrage and an investigation.
After the footage emerged during an August 2023 Community Police Oversight Board (CPOB) meeting, the officers received written reprimands and were required to undergo unspecified training, as confirmed by Major Irene Alanis of the Dallas Police Department's Internal Affairs Division.
“I know that it would have some sensitivity nexus to it, but the specific block of instruction that will be provided or where they will have to sit in on, I do not know,” Alanis stated. “I do believe that the academies will have to work with the assistant chief to see exactly what direction he’s wanting to go in and what training those officers are to attend.”
The incident prompted discussions about bathroom access legislation, including Ally's Laws, aimed at accommodating individuals with disabilities. Concerns were raised about transparency and accountability within the police department, with the Community Police Oversight Board expressing frustration over the adjudication process and limited disclosure of information in internal affairs cases.
“That absolutely turned my stomach,” said CPOB board member and former Marine, Jonathan Maples. “It’s absolutely appalling to treat one of our veterans that way.”
Lane's complaint led to a renewed investigation, highlighting the importance of civilian oversight in holding law enforcement accountable. The Community Police Oversight Board cited broader concerns about the handling of internal affairs cases by the Dallas Police Department in a letter to the Dallas City Council.
The letter emphasized discrepancies between the board's mandate for transparency and the restrictions imposed by the police department on information disclosure. It called for greater transparency and accountability in handling complaints against officers, stressing the need for timely and thorough investigations to maintain public trust.
"The current restrictions on disclosures to the Board and the public leaves the Board ill-equipped to accomplish its mandated duty of transparency in cases like the Lane case. The delay and lack of information provided has been unacceptable," the document said.
Police Chief Eddie Garcia was copied on the correspondence, indicating acknowledgment of the board's concerns. The interim director for the Office of Community Police Oversight confirmed that Lane would receive a letter from the police department upon the conclusion of the investigation.
The incident involving Lane sparked discussions about police conduct and accountability, underscoring the importance of civilian oversight in ensuring transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies.
As the investigation continues, stakeholders advocate for reforms to address systemic issues and improve trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
“The Dallas Police Department failed me,” Lane told the CPOB board at its monthly meeting on Aug. 8, 2023. “Two Dallas police officers discriminated against me and declined to assist me in bridging the gap between myself and the Serious Pizza manager.”
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Comments
2024-03-24T01:19-0400 | Comment by: Byron
How can this type of nonsense continue to happen? This is a major flaw in our society. Little brain power is needed to act properly; then why does this type of craziness continue to happen? I have seen similar infractions many times since my days in Vietnam (1968) with the Marine Corps.