EPPD's Lt. Jones

There is no end to what Lieutenant Jones of the El Paso Police Department has accomplished.

In 2020, Lieutenant Jones was called to a home on Zion Street in El Paso. While there, he made a disparaging comment about a woman of Middle Eastern descent, a comment that mentioned her ethnicity and animals.

For his comments, which were recorded by the woman who lives on Zion Street, Jones received counseling.

Imagine you call the Police, Officers arrive, and a Lieutenant is called to the scene by the officers. When that Lieutenant arrives, he makes a racist comment.

"The El Paso Police Department claims to have a policy where such comments, such language is not tolerated," says Tariq Siraj Uirajudeen. "When the actions of Jones were reported to the Internal Affairs Department, there was only a talk given to Jones, nothing more. This action goes against what Chief Allen said the El Paso Police Department stands for."

The only other action to follow Jones remarks that whenever a call originates from that home on Zion, a sergeant must be present with the Officers.

"Were this comment made by an individual in a different profession, say customer service or at a hospital, the individual making those comments would have ended in the termination of that employee," says Muhammad Adeen, a Muslim Civil Rights activist. "In the instance of the El Paso Police Department, by virtue of rank, the Officer is protected, retained, and allowed to continue making such comments."

Mr. Adeen is correct; Jones has made further comments that should have led to termination.

When a woman having a mental health crisis walked into the Northeast Regional Command Center, did Jones try to establish contact with her, calm her, or attempt to intercede positively? No, he did not.

"She's a satainist," is what Jones said.

Jones, a man in a command position who should lead by example, chose to make such comments, believing they were either humorous or that his statements were factual.

It doesn't stop there.

"We had, Department-wide, DEI training," says an Officer currently stationed at the Northeast Regional Command Center. "Jones said he wasn't going to take the training because of an Officer who identifies as a woman while at work."

El Paso, Texas, is a diverse community comprising individuals of all ethnicities and sexual orientations. The El Paso Police Department strives to meet the needs of everyone without excluding anyone. Yet, the comments Jones has made about Officer Marquez are alarming.

"He [Jones] has said that he won't take that DEI training as long as Marquez identifies as a woman at work," says that Officer from the Northeast Regional Command Center. "The man [Jones] has made other remarks that I won't repeat, but let's just say he is either very homophobic or an idiot."

Actions against Police Officers who make homophobic or racist statements or engage in discriminatory behavior can vary depending on the severity of the misconduct, department policies, and applicable laws.

While Texas state law doesn't explicitly protect against discrimination based solely on sexual orientation, the Texas courts have recognized that LGBTQ individuals have employment protections based on the 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County Supreme Court precedent, which found that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is a form of sex discrimination, prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

If a homophobic statement creates a hostile work environment or leads to an adverse employment action (e.g., denial of promotion, termination), it could potentially be considered a form of unlawful discrimination under Title VII.

Victims of employment discrimination, including harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity, can file a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Why Officer Marquez has not filed either a lawsuit or complaint with EPPD's Internal Affairs is a mystery.

"Even if Marquez filed a complaint against Jones," says another Officer with EPPD, "it won't go anywhere because Jones is a Lieutenant, and everyone knows the Department protects Lieutenants. Just look at Elomari."

Lt. Nazik Elomari is an Officer who was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. He also crashed into a car, attempted to bribe either victims or witnesses and tried to flee the scene. However, while out on bond, he's back at work and has said he's confident his charges will be dropped.

As you can see from the image above, obtained from the El Paso County website, there has been zero movement in Elomari's case.

Back to Lt. Jones and Officer Marquez.

"When anyone brings up Marquez or anyone who is gay, Jones loses his s*^t." says another Officer from the NERC. "I'm ashamed to have to work the same shift, much less the same department as him."

Racist remarks and alleged hate towards members of the LGBTQ+ community should lead to the termination of Lt. Jones's employment with the City of El Paso and the El Paso Police Department.

"We cannot have those who are supposed to protect and serve us castigating us simply because of who we are," says Donna Greenberg, an activist for LGBTQ+ rights. "If this man is called to a crime involving a member of the LGBTQ+ community, how will his preconceived biases towards us come into play? Can he see past his hate? I doubt it. He should be relieved of duty."

Even the El Paso Police Department's Procedures Manual indicates that Jones's comments are wrong. Why does the Chief of Police, Peter Pacillas, or the City Manager, Dionne Mack, keep Jones employed?

"He's been with EPPD about twenty years," says another Officer who works with him. He should call it a day and retire.

Having such a man in Command reflects poorly on the El Paso Police Department and does a disservice to the people of the City of El Paso. It may be time for Jones to retire.

You may contact the following individuals with the El Paso Police Department and the City of El Paso to voice your disapproval:

Chief Peter Pacillas [email protected]

City Manager Dionne Mack [email protected]

Lt. Christopher Jones [email protected] or 915-212-8161

You can reach me at [email protected] or 575-317-0077