Friday, June 4, 2021

CC SHERIFF DEPUTIES ISSUE NO CONFIDENCE AGAINST SHERIFF

By Juan Montoya

It's been some time in the offing, but today, the Cameron County Sheriff's Deputies Association issued "no confidence" vote against Sheriff Eric Garza, his Chief Deputy Robert Gracia, and Capt. Abraham Rodriguez.

In a single-spaced two-page letter signed by CCSDA President Sonny Pedroza, he listed a litany of issues they say have worsened working conditions and lowered the morale at the department.

The letter, Pedraza informs Garza, will also be provided to the county commissioners, County Judge Eddie TreviƱo, the Texas Commission Of Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas (CLEAT).  

"This letter outlines numerous and persistent issues and problems that have come to exist at the (department) during the period which you and your chief deputy have been in leadership. (We) believe that these problems and issues directly stem from an inability  (or unwillingness) of your chief deputy and captain to provide effective, competent, truthful, compassionate, and trustworthy leadership n the department. 

"We believe these problems...have had a corrosive effect on staff morale, and have fostered a climate of fear, anxiety, retaliation, and uncertainty. Efforts to bring these problems to your attention through formal and informal processes have been met with resistance, retaliation, or outright intimidation."

There follows a long list of reasons why the deputies have no confidence in Gracia or Rodriguez. Among them:

* Gracia's inexperience in state law enforcement. (He has a U.S. Customs agent background and contributed close to $50,000 toward Garza's campaign.)

*Extreme low staff morale

*Non-existing officer safety for members of the department to include jail staff

*Gracia and Rodriguez's disregard of staff's knowledge and experience

*Rodriguez's history of disregard of unprofessional behavior with his subordinates, and his continuation of acting childish and behaving in a manner that is unacceptable for a law-enforcement officer.

*Rodriguez's acts toward his subordinates which include continued intimidation, harassment, bullying, lying, and inability to testify under oath

*Gracia and Rodriguez's gross incompetence in following clearly established county Civil Service rules with respect to discipline, promotion, FMLA, directives, communication, working conditions, and payroll

*Rodriguez's ignorance of clearly established department policies, uniform regulations, personnel  (that's ARod holding up a Lucio signs during primary. He supported Garza in the runoff against John Chambers.) 

*Rodriguez's ignorance of clearly established departmental policies, uniform regulations, personnel policies, and the common practice of video recording all communications with his subordinates without their knowledge

*Gracia's ignorance of proper police administration, state law enforcement regulations, disregard of TCOLE rules and regulations, along with him having zero experience with Texas law enforcement experience with respect to law enforcement operations, investigations, and critical incidents.

*Gracia and Rodriguez's poor attitude, and lack of people and communications skills 

Other complaints include their refusal to establish (a) proper and written chain of command, leadership structure, and their unwritten policy of having probationary deputies issue directives and orders to captains, sergeants, and communications personnel (b) Their policy of having a probationary deputy
(Silverio Cisneros) write all disciplinary orders against personnel, contrary to Civil Service rules and regulations (c) failure to properly staff the patrol division, resulting in not having enough personnel to patrol the county.

Other issues listed include Rodriguez's violations of the HIPPA law when he discloses medical information of officers to intimidate and embarrass personnel who take FMLA, continued harassment, threatening actions and remarks of personnel...and political retaliation on personnel who supported the previous sheriff's administration, resulting in numerous civil rights lawsuits and Civil Rights grievances filed against them, and believe that "having these two individuals in their current positions is against the best interest of the public, the citizens of Cameron County, law enforcement and the members of your department who put their lives on the line daily."

"We will not let the Sheriffs' Office continue in this downward trajectory. We are prepared to keep charging forward and we will take all legal remedies to get the office back on the right path. We strongly urge you to put the Sheriff's Department ahead of any personal relationship."

CCSDA reps attempted to deliver the letter to Garza, but in his absence delivered it to his secretary this morning.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Juan pos the Cameron county voters wanted change a new sheriff and yes they got it. Not exactly what they wanted. anyway the sheriff deputies can cry all they want but only way to remove an elected official is thru a recall petition or election. Nothing else matters and/or can be done. Happy trails to you. Tan Tan.

BobbyWC said...

But yet they seem to not have the evidence needed to seek his removal. So they knowingly endorsed someone who was not qualified and now after the fact claim he is not qualified.

What a mess.

Bobby WC

Anonymous said...

Threw everything except the toilet NOW WHAT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS? A pay raise?

Anonymous said...

Gracia is his biggest mistake and what will cost him so much. You're losing everything you've worked for due to this arrogant fool. Open your eyes Eric. Just put silver as your chief already and let Gracia ride around or do anything else than be a supervisor. Barking orders at people with his 3 months of experience lol get real. Look at how smooth things were when you made him stop pretending to be an officer and sent him to school. You're smarter than that

Anonymous said...

Bobby go on your blog, we’re tired of you.

Anonymous said...

It Sucks to see some very hard working deputies, investigators, and overall staff take the hits like always. Some of these Deputies have managed to hold on strong even after Conrados admin. Back then and thru Lucios. The moral there has been low for ages, mainly because the senior or veterans don't get the recognition and respect they deserve. The "compadrismo" treatment still applies there. It's who you know and not your field experience. It doesn't matter that you've been there for 20 years and have proved yourself countless times, in the end if someone from high rank dislikes you or you piss them off, guess what. You're going to patrol, the jail, or anywhere that makes you feel like you did something wrong. It's a form of pushing you out of the way and kill your morale. Mainly to establish that dominance and feel like they have the power over you. Oh and don't even dare speak your mind because that's worse. My respect goes out to the ones that have held on all these decades there and have remained focused on getting to the end of the tunnel and retire. The ones that haven't sucked up or looked the other way just to please your supervisor in hopes for a promotion or recognition. You're an example of law enforcement ethics, loyalty, strength, and love for your families. You know who you are, hang in there.

Anonymous said...

The feds can't be far behind.

Former RGV LEO said...

I'm really disappointed that abraham rodriguez has turned out to be an "ojete." You would have taught that after his ordeal, you "member" abraham? That you would have learned what it was like for LEO' to be concerned about their safety? As for gracia, I guess he bought his position to pad his retirement check? Or, maybe bought the position to help certain individuals, who knows? A letter of "NO CONFIDENCE" might not get rid of this inexperienced sheriff BUT it sure sends out a clear message to the citizens of CC. Now, let's see if the county judge & commissioners have the balls to do something about it? I'd be willing to sign a recall petition! The only problem is that if a recall is successful? Who would take his place? Only in CC!

Anonymous said...

Garza and Gracia are incompetent and dangerous because they are in that latter part of the Rumsfeld Paradigm, they don't know what they don't know.

Anonymous said...

We have more coming to you Rodriguez...sit tight

Anonymous said...

They need to get rid of that Sgt Crisanto, he is Rodriguez' puppet

Anonymous said...

The change we need! LmFAO

Anonymous said...

Gracia using that stupid Justice RGV page again.... hahahaha pobre pendejo!

Anonymous said...

Vote Gracia 2024 incompetence, eroganc, and inexperience you can trust. If you want someone who has no earthly idea of what they're doing yet makes you believe he can fix all the issues he's your man lol. Sheriff you're better than that. Your ships sinking and I your right hand man is throwing water in and making more holes

Anonymous said...

The association also voted chief Bobby loco biggest deuche in the county. He tells everyone he's the real sheriff and is the savior of the county jajajaja pinche idiot

Anonymous said...

Anonymous @ 11:30am ,, thank you whoever you are for those words .. it really sucks to feel that you’ve worked hard and never be recognized or much less considered .. the Moral is terrible… the pay is worse , some coworkers & supervisors will backstab you quick …

Anonymous said...

IT IS A TRUE REALITY THAT THAT IF YOU DON'T DANCE TO THE BRASS' SONG (MY WAY OR THE HWY) RHYTHM YOU ARE TARGET IT VERY QUICKLY AND OR SIGNALS OUT FOR ALL BRASS AT ANY POSITION TO TARGET YOU AND MAKE YOUR WORKDAYS A NIGHTMARE. THIS HAD BEEN THE LUCIO KLAN WAY FOR OVER 20 YEARS. NOW WITH GARZA'S WAYS IT JUST WORST, ESPECIALLY HAVING GRACIA AND RODRIGUEZ ACTING LIKE IF THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING BUT NOT HAVING NO CLUE ON WHAT THEY ARE DOING, AND ON TOP OF THAT ACTING AS TYRANTS TO ALL EMPLOYEES IS JUST DISGRACEFUL. CAP A RODRIGUEZ DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO WRITE UP A PROPER REPORT BECAUSE HE IS ALWAYS HAVING SOMEONE ELSE WRITE IT UP FOR HIM NEVER THE LESS HE ACTS AS IF HE KNOWS IT ALL. THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO IS THAT GARZA HAS GIVING CAP A RODRIGUEZ TOO MUCH RESPONSIBILITY BY HAVING HIM BE IN CHARGE OF THE PATROL DIVISION WHICH HE HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF, AND KNOW EVEN CIVIL PROCESS DIVISION AND DISPATCH DEPARTMENT. CAP A RODRIGUEZ HAS NEVER BEEN AN ADMINISTRATOR BECAUSE HE LACKS KNOWLEDGE OF ANY DEPARTMENT AND WHAT IS WORST HE HAS VERY POOR PEOPLE SKILLS. SHERIFF GARZA LAST RESORT WAS TO PLACE THOSE THAT JUST BECAUSE THEY HOLD A RANK FOR SOME REASON UNKNOWN TO HIM, TO PLACE THEM IN POSITIONS NOT KNOWING IF THEY HAD ANY KNOWLEDGE TO RUN DEPARTMENTS WHICH WAS NOT SUITED FOR THEM TO RUN BECAUSE IN THE OLD WAYS OF LUCIO'S KLAN EVERY ONE HELD POSITION FOR THE LONGEST TIMES AND NEVER DID ANY CROSS-TRAINING WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT BRASS.

Anonymous said...

What a pile of shit! Everyone that works there or has know very well the worse violations of any Rights existed by the previous Administration. I wonder how much more money they are willing to dish out for this blog that no longer is unbiased. The Juan Andrade Jr/Reyna/Gomez/Almanza fund will provide the next 3 years. The citizens of the county know from all the mistreatment from the Reynas and mistreatment from Abel Gomez as Administration. We do not forget.

Anonymous said...



God protect all the employees. They have families to support.

Anonymous said...


Disgruntled employees is never good. Sheriff's Office now adrift.

Crime will spike.

fact.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous at 7:25 well said welllll said... I just wonder when Gomez is gna b arrested..... Using county vehicles to pick up there significant others on county time... I believe there's a rule on that.... Using county money for AR's nottttt bought by county hmmmm county vehicles for there side gigs hmmmmmm ahhh Mr. Saenz????

Anonymous said...

WOW that waitress that works on a local bar was brought over to her apt at 2:30 am this morning, they drive on central blvd drunk as a skunk, at least a deputy cause the BPD won't do anything its donut time for them. How about the sheriff can they do anything? They drive drunk right on the busy blvd in the city, 'scott free'... ANY LAW ENFORCEMNT, CITY, COUNTY, STATE, MILITARY MAYBE AN ASSAULT HILICOPTER THEY ARE EVERY WHERE, BORDER PATROL maybe she's an alien. SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING STOP THEM THEY ARE STINKING DRUNK DRIVING ON CENTRAL BLVD...
ORALE SHERIFF.

Anonymous said...

June 4, 2021 at 4:25 PM

What you want a hanky pinche lloron

Anonymous said...

All this Fiasco AGAINST our newly Respectful
Cameron County SHERIFF Administration.
Could be better off....if WE GIVE IT A CHANCE!

..accusations AGAINST ONES own..
Is like defeating our own-selfs

SHERIFF Eric Garza..is not going anywhere.

Les guste no les guste.

Those who see the need FOR a new sherifito.

Run AGAINST him next Election.

Aver si podemos walk the walk..
Not just the Talk.

Viva La Justicia!

Anonymous said...


Better:

"It's been in the offing some time..."


Anonymous said...

June 5, 2021 at 12:06 PM

Go back to school and learn to write uneducated voter NO WONDER

Anonymous said...

When was the last time a local sheriff got a no conficence letter?

Anonymous said...

La Verdad duele.

Viva SHERIFF Eric Garza

Te GUSTE O NO TE GUSTE!

Anonymous said...

He needs a D.D.S. Family and Cosmetic Dentistry crooked teeth arrest them hand cuff them and put em in jail too dumb to write a report

Anonymous said...

Everything will fall into place. It will take time but everything will fall in place. If he moves people around to find the best place for the right men, or if he hires new people, or if he promotes the people that deserve to be promoted, but it will be done. Mr. Garza will find a way, He is working on it 16 hours a day 7 days a week I'm sure. He can not do things just to do them, you will have more to right (lol Write) about. If he makes moves to fix things, people complain and puts law suits. BUT YET, you all complain that the CCSD is all wrong. He is trying to fix it as he can. I'm sure he has people that Lucio and Reynas hired that are only hurting current admin, but if he moves them out, law suit. He is working with what hand he was dealt. All the girls here complaining and trying to cause trouble for the men. Why not tell them directly. Some in here have a big problem with Gracia and Rodriguez, Put on your men pants no matter if you wear them up to your chest and tell these men you have a problem with what they are doing. MAN UP, puro llorar.
grow a pair.

Anonymous said...

Johnny Cavazos still pushing paper …. Ha ha ha this guy .. sending out the letter at all hours of the night ..to get us on board .. loser .. dude you lost ..,this guy ….,you amd the reynas along with the viejito need to get lost .. eric won fair amd square . The people VOTED

rita