El Paso Police Officers Left with Popcorn Machines While Critical Equipment Needs Go Unmet

EL PASO, Texas — In a city where police officers put their lives on the line daily, the El Paso Police Department (EPPD) is facing a growing scandal: officers’ urgent requests for modern, essential equipment are being ignored, while leadership has bizarrely prioritized installing popcorn machines at stations. The absurdity of this decision has left officers frustrated, demoralized, and questioning the department’s commitment to their safety and effectiveness.

Officers across the EPPD have voiced mounting concerns about outdated and inadequate tools that hinder their ability to serve the community. From unreliable in-car laptops and software to insufficient protective gear like ballistic vests and shields, the lack of modern equipment is putting both officers and public safety at risk. Essential items like breaching tools, full-body shields, and proper storage for life-saving Narcan are either unavailable or woefully outdated.

“It’s a slap in the face,” said one officer, speaking anonymously to avoid retaliation from the department’s Internal Affairs Division. “I’ve been asking for breaching tools and shields for years, and what do we get? A popcorn machine. It’s insulting—like they think we’re clowns in a circus.”

The complaints are widespread. Officers report that critical medical supplies like Narcan, used to reverse opioid overdoses, are stored improperly in the Texas heat, potentially reducing their effectiveness. “We need fridges in our cars to store Narcan properly,” another officer said, also requesting anonymity. “Instead, it’s just sitting there, baking.” Others have highlighted the department’s outdated technology, with one officer from the Westside Regional Command Center noting, “Our in-car laptops and software are so old, they’re barely functional. We need reliable systems to do our jobs.”

The uniforms and protective gear are no better. “These vests aren’t cutting it, and the uniforms are hard to work in,” an officer from the Northeast Regional Command Center said. “We’re out here risking our lives, and the department can’t even get us proper gear.”

While the EPPD has made some progress, such as equipping officers with body-worn and vehicle cameras starting in 2023 and introducing mobile fingerprint devices and gunshot detection sensors, these advancements do little to address the core issue: the department’s failure to prioritize basic operational equipment. Officers argue that leadership, including the Chief, is out of touch with their needs. “The Chief hasn’t been on the streets in years,” said an officer planning to transfer to another Texas department. “He doesn’t even know how to log into our systems. We need leadership that listens, not gimmicks like popcorn machines.”

The popcorn machine debacle has become a symbol of the department’s misplaced priorities. “What’s that going to do?” another officer asked. “Make it easier for the guys sitting around arranging their off-duty gigs? Meanwhile, we’re out here without the tools we need to solve crimes or stay safe.” A civilian employee of the EPPD echoed the sentiment: “You get popcorn at a circus. I guess that’s what they think of the officers patrolling our streets.”

The El Paso Police Foundation, a public-private partnership, claims to support the department by funding specialized equipment, but officers say these efforts fall short. As El Paso continues to grow, the gap between what officers need and what they have widens, leaving them ill-equipped to handle emergencies, solve crimes like the murder of Larry Donnell Lacy, or recover stolen vehicles.

The public assumes that El Paso’s officers are armed with cutting-edge technology and training to handle any situation. But the reality is far different. While residents wait for justice or protection, officers are left with outdated tools—and a popcorn machine that serves as a bitter reminder of the department’s failure to take their needs seriously.