New HPD Acting Chief Larry Satterwhite told Houstonians that “no one likes this” in his first public comments as the leader of the Houston Police Department.
Satterwhite replaced Troy Finner, who ‘retired’ after an email went public proving he knew about the suspended case scandal three years before he said he did.
Satterwhite gave credit to Finner for his 34 years on the force, and was asked when he knew about the lack of staffing code that impacted 264,000 cases since 2016. Satterwhite admitted being at a meeting in 2021. But he left early to prepare for an event at NRG Stadium.
”I was focused elsewhere,” Satterwhite stated, adding that in his role leading field operations that investigation was not his focus.
“I am still getting caught up,” said Satterwhite. “It was very obvious we had a problem.”
Satterwhite said he was honored to be in the role, and that while he would like to be the permanent Chief, he “understands the real world.”
Satterwhire tried to focus on the future, saying that, “the mission hasn’t changed,” and that the job remains to “protect the public.”