Leadership Change in Dallas Police Union
The board of Dallas’ largest police union certified results on Friday for its recent election, formalizing a leadership change that comes as the organization’s current president remains on administrative leave.
The vote marks a shift for the Dallas Police Association, with roughly 77% of the membership who cast votes backing Sgt. Sean Pease for president. Pease is now set to replace Senior Cpl. Jaime Castro, who was sidelined last month amid a monthslong internal affairs investigation into a fatal crash he was involved in while off-duty.
New Leadership and Priorities
Pease, 58, is expected to be sworn in at the association’s January board meeting. He will take over as City Hall faces a number of pressures, including negotiations over the next “meet and confer” contract that governs pay and working conditions and voter-backed charter requirements that have reshaped the city’s public safety obligations.
The 12-year officer now serves as the association’s vice president. Beyond priorities like the contract and pension, he said his pitch centered on stronger communication and transparency.
“A lot of this role, for me, is being a good liaison between the department and our officers, our officers back,” Pease said in an interview with The Dallas Morning News. “But we also need to have a role to play with getting information to the public … when we think something’s going wrong, but also when we think things are going right.”
Background and Experience
Following an earlier career stint in agriculture, Pease’s experience ranges from patrol and chaplaincy to detective work on some of the city’s more complex cases. He is now assigned to patrol in the department’s Northeast Division, which spans northeast and far northeast Dallas, Lake Highlands and Lakewood.
Before becoming vice president, he represented that division’s officers within the association. He also served as a board member for the Assist the Officer Foundation, a Dallas-based nonprofit supporting first responders and their families.
Pease said he sees policing as an extension of his ministry, grounded in showing up for people on their worst days. He said the same instinct drew him to serve as a peer-support “checkpoint” officer as part of the department’s wellness efforts and to pursue leadership roles within the association.
Current Challenges
Pease’s win lands at a turbulent moment for union leadership. Castro, who unsuccessfully ran to retain the top position, was placed on administrative leave last month.
In March, Castro was involved in an off-duty crash that killed a pedestrian, Atianna Washington, 25, in northwest Dallas. Two other responding officers were also placed on leave after an allegation that they failed to fully investigate the crash.
The two other responding officers, Evan Muller and Robert Wilcox Jr., were placed on leave and remained there until at least Aug. 15, according to records reviewed by The News. Whether Muller and Wilcox faced disciplinary action and have returned to duty is unclear.
The vehicle Castro was in had two other occupants. Muller’s report listed Castro as a passenger.
Investigation and Due Process
Asked about Castro, Pease said the association would approach his case as it would any member’s, emphasizing due process and consistency as the inquiry continues.
“We’re held to a higher standard — we are,” Pease said, “but that doesn’t mean we give up our constitutional rights.”
He pointed to a refrain heard often from former Chief Eddie García when an officer’s use of force was publicly questioned.
“[García] was like ‘You know what, we’re going to look into this, and if we did wrong, we will be held accountable on it,’” Pease said.
The investigation could result in criminal charges. The rationale for Castro’s being placed on leave was “Grand Jury referral for Class A Misdemeanor,” according to documents obtained through an open-records request by The News.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the recent election of Sgt. Sean Pease as the new president of the Dallas Police Association marks a significant shift in leadership for the organization. With Pease’s experience and priorities, the association is expected to take a new direction in addressing the challenges faced by the department and the city. The investigation into the fatal crash involving Senior Cpl. Jaime Castro is ongoing, and the association will approach the case with due process and consistency.
FAQs
Q: Who is the new president of the Dallas Police Association?
A: Sgt. Sean Pease is the new president of the Dallas Police Association, elected with roughly 77% of the membership who cast votes.
Q: What are Pease’s priorities as the new president?
A: Pease’s priorities include stronger communication and transparency, as well as addressing the challenges faced by the department and the city, such as contract negotiations and public safety obligations.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation into the fatal crash involving Senior Cpl. Jaime Castro?
A: The investigation is ongoing, and the association will approach the case with due process and consistency. The rationale for Castro’s being placed on leave was “Grand Jury referral for Class A Misdemeanor.”
