News » Local News

Subscribe

Police chiefs short tenure full of controversy

  • Print
  • •
  • •
  • Post a Comment
  • •
  • Favorite
  • •
  • Report an error Report error
    • Thank you for your submission.
      Error report or correction
      Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  
      Sending report
    • Close
  • •
  • LESLIE WILBER - Victoria Advocate
  • Originally published May 28, 2008 at 9:56 a.m., updated May 28, 2008 at 9:56 a.m.

Bruce Ure is buried deep in local controversy, but he’s a newcomer to Victoria.

Ure took over as chief of the Victoria Police Department in May 2007.

On Tuesday, he was indicted and arrested on five charges, including misuse of official information, aggravated perjury, tampering with a witness, official oppression and criminal conspiracy .

Last year, Ure’s impressions of the police department were filled with optimism.

“I’m real excited about the city of Victoria and the opportunities that are here, obviously,” said Ure during his first day in office. “I guess my fundamental philosophy on law enforcement is if you’re not growing, then you’re not doing what you're supposed to be doing. What I’ve heard and what I’ve seen about the city of Victoria is that this is a dynamic organization. It’s not sitting still – it's moving forward.”

Ure’s accomplishments this year have been shadowed by ongoing squabbles with District Attorney Stephen Tyler.

The Advocate first reported on the rift between the two agencies and the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office in August.

Judge Juergen “Skipper” Koetter mediated talks between Ure, Tyler and Sheriff T. Michael O’Connor earlier this year. All three men do their difficult jobs well, Koetter said before the indictments.

Ure did not want to talk after his arrest Tuesday. Mayor Will Armstrong stood beside Ure, clasping his shoulder and calling the charges against Ure political.

Ure came to Victoria from the Watauga Department of Public Safety in the Dallas Metroplex, where he was the director of public safety. He had also worked as a police officer and firefighter.

Leslie Wilber is a reporter for the Victoria Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6521.



  • Print
  • •
  • •
  • Post a Comment
  • •
  • Favorite
  • •
  • Report an error Report error
    • Thank you for your submission.
      Error report or correction
      Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  
      Sending report
    • Close
  • •