Leaders of six Houston police organizations announced a vote of no confidence in District Attorney Pat Lykos, saying she has “shirked her duty” and has turned down viable cases for prosecution, reports the Houston Chronicle. The no-confidence vote – a rare public fissure in the traditionally close relationship between police and prosecutors – was triggered by Lykos’ announcement that she would seek re-election.
Eric Batton of the Harris County Deputies’ Organization said, “We believe the district attorney is ignoring the laws passed by the Legislature. Valid criminal complaints brought by professional law enforcement officers are ignored or dismissed.” Said Lykos: “It’s déjà vu all over again, as Yogi Berra said. The unions never have supported me.” She brushed aside police criticism of her policy of not accepting felony charges against suspects caught with trace amounts of drugs, usually found in a crack pipe or as the result of a nasal swab. She said she wants to go after cartels, not crack pipes.