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By Port Arthur Police Officers’ Association President Chris Billiot

The Port Arthur Police Officers’ Association has been made aware of a formal complaint filed with the police department by a Councilmember against one of our board members, resulting in an Internal Affairs investigation. The complaint alleges violations of the city’s policy regarding the public disclosure of information. The Councilmember is seeking a public apology, along with a two-week unpaid suspension of the board member in question.

We wish to clarify that these allegations stem from private communications between union members on a secure group communication platform, which were subsequently disclosed to the Councilmember through unauthorized means. The Port Arthur Police Officers’ Association maintains that this complaint and subsequent investigation constitute a direct infringement upon our constitutionally protected rights to free speech and freedom of assembly as a labor organization.

This action appears to be another attempt to exert undue pressure on our association during ongoing contract negotiations, particularly in light of the disparate treatment between police officers and firefighters in current contract proposals. We remain committed to securing fair and equitable working conditions for our members while upholding our duty to serve and protect our community.