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SENATE COMMITTEES: Senator   DISTRICT OFFICE:
. . 5787 South Hampton Road
VICE CHAIR District 23 Suite 385
Higher Education . Dallas, Texas 75232
Premdent Pro Tempore 214/467_0123
MEMBER
Administration 2006 Fax: 214 /467-0050
DISTRICT OFFICE:
2612 Main Street, Suite 100
Dallas, Texas 75226
July 16: 2015 214/741?0123
Fax: 214 749-7830
CAPITOL OFFICE:
. R0. Box 12068
Steven McCraw Austin, Texas 78711
- 512/463?0123
Director - Texas Department Fax: 512 Mes-0299
Dial 711 for Rela Calls
of Public Safety 

5805 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78773?0001

Dear Director McCraw,

This morning I was made aware of an ordeal that took place in Waller County, Texas over the
past weekend that ended in the tragic, and I will call suspicious, death-in?custody of 28 year-old,
Sandra Bland. Ms. Bland was found unresponsive in the Waller County Jail late Monday
morning July 13. She had been taken into custody following her arrest by Texas Department of
Public Safety (DPS) troopers on Friday - July 10, 2015 after what was reported to have begun as
a routine traf?c violation for improperly changing lanes.

My uncon?rmed information is that Ms. Bland, who was returning to Texas to begin work at her
alma mater, Prairie View University, was followed some distance by a DPS trooper and
stopped her vehicle near the Prairie View campus. Local police joined the scene. Privately
recorded video shows Ms. Bland being forcefully held to the ground by of?cers. She can be
heard complaining to of?cers about their treatment and handling of her. It is also noted that the
person who recorded the video was told by one of the of?cers to stop doing so, although it does
not appear that he was in any way interfering with the of?cers in the execution of the traf?c stop
and appeared to be recording from a reasonable distance.

Director, you know of my work to secure for law enforcement, in-car audio Visual recording
equipment and most recently, body-worn cameras. The use of those tools by of?cers has
encouraged, as studies have shown, greater accountability for both the public and members of
law enforcement.

This detainment, arrest and the events that transpired have raised a number of questions for
numerous persons, none more than myself. It comes months and weeks into what seems to be an
unabated season of unfortunate police-citizen encounters. During the investigations of these

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Letter to Steven McCraw
July 1 6, 20 1 5
page 2

events it has become apparent the value of the timely release of audio-visual evidence recorded
by law enforcement in answer to demands for public accountability and transparency. 

To this purpose, I am requesting the immediate public release of information recorded by DPS
troopers in their observation, pursuit and subsequent contact and arrest of Ms. Sandra Bland. As
soon as possible, please inform me of your response to this request. It is important for all Texans

and American citizens to have con?rmed that those who enforce the law also remain accountable
to those they serve.

As ways, "Our best for Texas,"

Royc:?West
Texas Senate

District 23

 

RW/kb