FOR Personnel Matter - Part 2

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FAIR OAKS RANCH - PERSONNEL MATTER Opinion by Randy Schmidt, Hill Country Weekly Publisher - PART 2

This is part two of a series about the Fair Oaks Ranch police department. Part three will be in next week’s issue of The Weekly.

Discrimination?

Know the difference between a fairy tale and a tall Texas tale? One starts out, “Once upon a time” the other, “look, this is no BS”. Well, boys and girls, this is no fairy tale.

Richard Davila was a dedicated police officer with the city of Fair Oaks Ranch.

Why do I say dedicated?

He was employed at the city for approximately two years, left, then rejoined the force for another sixteen years.

Throughout my conversations with Richard and the documentation he has provided, there was no vagueness to the description of the incidents.

In fact, it’s clear why he is a good police officer with well documented, specific circumstances in writing.

So why then was Richard Davila terminated?

One of the claims his attorney suggests is retaliation under the Whistleblower Act. ell, if this guy was a whistleblower, it was with a train whistle. Here are just two examples of documentation going as far back as 2016 when he notified superiors of corrupt activities and mishandling property room evidence.

On more than one occasion the vision for the future of the department was to recruit and promote fresh, young, educated talent that would stay with the department for a long time.

Discrimination. Richard Davila was 52 years old at the time of termination. He is Hispanic. He does not have a college degree.

What about street smarts, having been around the block a time or two?

I’m not talking Neanderthal here.

Richard Davila has nothing against higher education. In fact, he put his wife and daughters through college.

And for himself, continuing education in law enforcement.

Graduate of Bill Blackwood Leadership Command College, Class 81 (only 2% of Texas Peace Officers who apply are accepted). The Leadership Command College is the most comprehensive program offered at LEMIT and is often compared to the FBI National Academy.

Bill Blackwood GMI management Skills Course FBI Command College/AALEA Course Effective Leadership/Training UT System Police Academy Command Staff Leadership Series Bill Blackwood LEMI continuing Chief’s Training Master Peace Officer License

Remember that independent investigator the city council authorized to investigate the police department back in September of 2019?

You know, right before Chief Rubin abruptly retired on October 4, 2019?

Well, the investigator spent two hours with Richard Davila in what was scheduled to be a thirty minute meeting.

Afterwards, the investigator sent this email to Richard Davila.

In Part 3, I will be revealing more factual evidence regarding this matter so stay tuned.