June 2020 Blues Issue Vol 36 No 6

Troopers sue DPS over quotas, retaliation
By JOSH EDWARDS
josh.edwards@dailysentinel.com
Four state
troopers from
Nacogdoches are
suing the Texas
Department of
Public Safety,
saying they are
being retaliated
against for reporting
an illegal
quota system for
traffic stops and
arrests implemented
by a
sergeant.
The suit was
filed Tuesday in
federal court in
Lufkin by attorneys
Tanner
Franklin and Sean
Hightower on behalf
in the quota program and were menting the quota system in
of troopers Rodney Mahan, retaliated against after reporting 2017 when he arrived in Nacog-
John H. Henley III, Joel Barton Jr. it to higher-ups.
doches and running a similar
and John Riggins.
“Among other acts of retaliation,
program while stationed in Cen-
In the federal complaint, the
the troopers were transter.
In April 2019, Shelby County
four troopers say DPS Sgt. Robert ferred to other duty stations District Attorney Stephen Shires
Shugart “offered monetary and away from their families, denied asked the Texas Attorney General
other prizes to the troopers that promotion opportunities, violently
to investigate Shugart. An inter-
had the most arrests and traffic
berated in front of others, nal investigation was completed
stops in a period.” Those who denied vacation and forced to May 6 by DPS officials and found
failed to meet the quotas were work dangerously long hours, all that Shugart “displayed a pattern
“subjected to ridicule and harassment,”
in violation of the policy,” ac-
of hostile, discourteous and
the suit says. cording to the suit.
unprofessional behavior” and
State law prohibits law enforcement
A civil complaint only tells one violated department rules and
officers from using a side of a legal argument. DPS regulations.
quota system in writing traffic officials have 21 days to file a Shugart was suspended without
pay for three days and per-
10000 EMMETT F. LOWRY EXPRESSWAY, FM1765 & I-45
citations or making arrests. The formal response. Shugart could
four troopers who filed the suit not be reached for comment. mitted to remain in the local DPS
WORLDGYM.COM/TEXAS-CITY, 409.986.9675
say they refused to participate Shugart is accused of imple-
office.
22 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 23
WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS
AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS WITH THIS SPECIAL OFFER:
7 DAYS
FREE
** MUST BE FIRST TIME WORLD GYM TEXAS CITY MEMBERS. MUST SHOW AD AT TIME OF REGISTRATION ALONG WITH VALID MEDICAL OR POLICE ID.
*** SPECIAL OFFER ***
OFFERS EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2020.