The Texas police department that arrested a mother for criticizing the town’s drinking water on social media has been ordered to disband after the state ruled that it provided no public benefit. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement sent Trinidad Mayor Dennis Haws a letter on September 9 revoking the city’s license to operate its own police department, determining the department had failed to meet minimum standards as a law enforcement entity, according to KETK.
This action followed an August 5 investigation in which the department was found unable to provide evidence that it provided public benefit to the community and lacked 18 required policies, including those on use of force, vehicle pursuit, professional conduct, and active shooters, the commission stated.
The investigation was initiated after Jennifer Combs was arrested for felony false alarm or report and spent a night in jail in May following a Facebook post alleging that bacteria in Trinidad’s water pipes had hospitalized residents. Police defended the arrest, claiming Combs’ post had created fear and unnecessary emergency responses within the community, despite the city posting a notice urging residents to boil their water to avoid harmful bacteria weeks before her arrest.
Trinidad Police Chief Charles Gregory maintained that the case against Combs was clear-cut. Additionally, police arrested a supporter of Combs, citizen journalist Winston Noles, for misdemeanor disorderly conduct after he displayed a sign outside city hall.
Combs’ arrest drew national attention, leading Gregory to drop the felony charge against her and prompting the state to investigate the department. The charge against Noles was also dropped. Gregory resigned on June 19, despite asserting at a Trinidad City Council meeting that he had nothing to hide regarding the arrests.
After his resignation, the judge who approved Combs’ search warrant expressed concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the information presented by two Trinidad officers. The Henderson County District Attorney’s Office announced in August it would stop taking cases from the department following the state’s investigation.
Separately, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality identified issues with Trinidad’s water supply, which Combs had raised concerns about, and city officials have promised to address these issues.
Following the announcement of the department's disbandment, Combs stated on Facebook that citizens who questioned the department were dismissed and attacked, and she emphasized that the state agency confirmed the department's failure to comply with minimum standards. Haws expressed that he was not surprised by the state’s decision, citing neglect over the years and stating that they are moving in a positive direction.
The Trinidad Police Department, which served a municipality in Henderson County about 75 miles southeast of Dallas, has five full-time officers and several part-time officers and will officially cease operations on Friday. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office will take over law enforcement calls for Trinidad, a city with a population of just over 800 according to the 2024 census.