Houston mayor announces police chief’s resignation following investigation into thousands of dismissed cases

Houston’s mayor has replaced the city’s police chief, citing the need for a new leader amid intense scrutiny for not investigating hundreds of thousands of cases, including thousands of sexual assault allegations. Mayor John Whitmire accepted former Police Chief Troy Finner’s retirement, stressing the importance of moving forward with new leadership. The ongoing investigation raised questions about Finner’s knowledge and actions, affecting department morale and public confidence. Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite was appointed as acting chief. Finner apologized for the use of an internal code to dismiss cases, while a review by an independent panel was initiated. The Houston Area Women’s Center emphasized the impact on sexual assault survivors when cases are not resolved. Police departments nationwide are facing staffing challenges, with younger officers resigning and recruitment declining.

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