HANAK: SHERIFF’S OFFICE’S PRACTICES AND POLICIES “UP TO DATE, SATISFACTORY” UPON REVIEW

  

In the midst of ongoing conversations on police brutality, officials with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office say they are satisfied with the policies and procedures employed by the Sheriff’s Office.

In a statement, Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak said his office is holding regular meetings with supervisors and staff members, and has stressed the importance of proper arrest, pursuit, and use of force procedures.  He said, with the recent review of its policies, the Sheriff’s Office believes that its practices are “up to date and satisfactory in nature”.

Hanak said that community relations have been and will continue to be a crucial component in the agency’s day-to-day operations.  He said the Sheriff’s Office is fortunate to have “avoided the negative attention and impact seen nationwide”, and credits that to the local officers serving along with the citizens they represent.   He stressed the importance of citizens continuing to support those in uniform, but also holding the Sheriff’s Office accountable when necessary.

Hanak said he knows that “things must change in so many ways”, and hopes that “negative race relations become a thing of the past soon”.

Both the Sheriff’s Office and Brenham Police Department have stated their efforts to go through their standard operating procedures, with Brenham City Manager James Fisher saying in June the police department had completed a policy review of its own.

Full statement below from Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak:

As your elected Sheriff, I would like the citizens of Washington County know that community relations are, have been, and will continue to be vital in our day to day operations.  I believe that the manner in which we have conducted our business over the years has provided a positive result from our community, even in times of uncertainty nationwide.  It is our hope that our combined law enforcement experiences, training, longevity, and leadership confirms our desire and ability to get the job done lawfully and satisfactory in the eyes of our citizens.

In light of the most unfortunate and heartbreaking events taking place nationwide, we have continued our regular meetings with our supervisors and staff members and have stressed the importance of proper arrest, pursuit, and use of force procedures. With the recent review of our policies, we believe that the practices conducted by our agency are up to date and satisfactory in nature. 

Our agency has been blessed to have avoided the negative attention and impact seen nationwide and we credit that not only to the professional men and women in uniform, but also to the good citizens we represent. It is most important that all the citizens of our county not only continue to support the men and women in uniform, but to also hold us accountable when necessary. 

On behalf myself and our entire staff, we hope and pray that our country settles back to a more peaceful day to day progression and that negative race relations become a thing of the past soon.  As we all know, our country is being torn apart and divided and things must change in so many ways.  Lastly, I ask that we all pray for the health, safety, security, and calm for our community and great nation and for those that protect and serve us all.

Respectfully,

Sheriff Otto Hanak