The information in ACT 4 SA’s dashboard is compiled from open record requests, SAPD’s own website, and media reports and dates from 2010 until last summer, says Executive Director Ananda Tomas. The dashboard does not contain the original documents.

The chief has been vocal in his opposition to the current union contract and how it cuts into his ability to discipline officers. The current contract expires after September but could be temporarily extended if a new agreement isn’t reached by then. Chief McManus said late last year that the current contract and state laws “protect bad officers” in an interview with KSAT. When asked about Monday’s joint press conference, City Manager Erik Walsh said the following a statement:“The key message from the press conference is that both SAPOA and the City of San Antonio are looking to improve the working relationship for the benefit of the community. Police accountability and transparency remains the top priority for the City in both the Collective Bargaining Agreement and upcoming Texas Legislative Session.

The special found that between 2010 and 2019, two-thirds of SAPD officers who were fired ended up getting their jobs back. Allowing bad police officers to still wear that badge and still wear that uniform is actually a disservice to good police officers, Martin said. Its actually sad because a lot of these issues we can resolve at the negotiating table, said Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association. She said she feels the only SAPD officers who would quit are the ones with bad intentions. The petitions will have to have tens of thousands of signatures, and only then will the possible repeals be put before San Antonio voters in the May 2021 election.

SAN ANTONIO The San Antonio Police Officers Association president is drawing criticism after comparing an expletive recently used by Mayor Ron Nirenberg to the N-word. In a June 10 interview with KSAT, Mike Helle took issue with Mayor Ron Nirenbergs speech to people who were protesting police brutality at City Hall. If youre somebody (who grew up with) a religious upbringing, that may be comparable to using the N-word, Helle said. Helle said Garcia lost his composure when using the racial slur and that he shouldnt have said it. A KSAT analysis found that fired officers who have gone to arbitration have won their jobs back 67.5% of the time from 2010-2019.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Law Enforcement Accountability Project and the Coalition for Police Reform and Accountability said the collective bargaining agreement between the city and the San Antonio Police Department is flawed, partly because group members say 70% of police officers who are fired get their jobs back through arbitration. Civil rights attorneys are now trying to create a referendum that will do away with the collective bargaining agreement altogether and bring forth major changes to the police department. Civil rights attorney Edward Piña said over the past decade, 106 people have died in San Antonio police custody. They may not be the reality of why they passed away,” Helle said. Pina said the current collective bargaining agreement is beyond reform, and that the entire SAPD must be reimagined.

SAN ANTONIO As Americans continue to discuss police reforms, police unions are under renewed scrutiny. Police advocates say unions protect officers from being fired unjustifiably. Mike Helle, the president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, weighed in on the controversial debate during a Q&A session on KSAT Tuesday. With so much focus on the police, Helle said the biggest misconception about the San Antonio Police Officers Association is that the union seeks to protect criminal acts by officers. Thats all were about: establishing a fair process that gives the employee the opportunity to give an argument about why they shouldnt be terminated or fired, Helle said.

SAN ANTONIO Defund the police" is a phrase that has become a rallying cry shouted by protesters in the Black Lives Matter movement nationwide. While some throughout the nation are calling for a complete overhaul of their municipal departments, in San Antonio, some are hoping that some police department funds are reallocated to help improve community relations. We want to get rid of that barrier between law enforcement and that fear from the community, peaceful protest organizer Antonio Lee said. Lee said helping to bridge the gap includes redistributing some of the San Antonio Police Departments funding and putting funds toward community engagement efforts. San Antonio Police Officers Association President Mike Helle pointed out several efforts already in the works, like culturally sensitivity training for officers and recreational activities, such as midnight basketball.

San Antonio As protestors against police brutality have filled San Antonios streets, and even its city council chambers, in the past week, Mayor Nirenberg said the city is listening. Nirenberg told a crowd on Thursday to hold me accountable for ushering in changes regarding police in San Antonio. Its not clear yet what specific changes those would be, but the mayor raised the possibility of both discipline procedures in the current union contract and policies from the 8 Cant Wait campaign. RELATED: Mayor Ron Nirenberg delivers impassioned speech to protestersThe mayor said the first step is a level set taking stock of where the city is at regarding SAPD policies and procedures. From there, the mayor said the city can find out where people want to see change.

SAN ANTONIO Detective Mike Helle, the longtime president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, confirmed to KSAT Thursday that he will step down at the end of his current term. Helle told KSAT by phone Thursday that he will step down when his current term ends next February and he will also retire from the San Antonio Police Department with the rank of detective. In San Antonio, police officers who were fired ultimately were granted reinstatement in 67.5% of cases in the last decade, according to data obtained by KSAT under public information law. Helle was first elected president in 2008 and is the first president in the associations history to be elected then re-elected five times. A request for comment from the San Antonino Police Department and Mayor Ron Nirenberg was not immediately returned.