Union to Hurtt: Shape up or ship out

It looks like the gloves are coming off with regard to the Houston Police Officers' Union survey: Mark Clark, the union's executive director, tells KPRC he wants HPD Chief Harold Hurtt fired if he doesn't change. About 2,300 officers — roughly half of those on the force — responded to the 13-question survey, which dealt with conditions in the police department and Hurtt's ability to lead it. And the results weren't good for the chief: Seventy-five percent of respondents said they don't feel confident in Hurtt's ability to lead.

"Most officers share the same concerns that we do that, while input is asked for, input is ignored, and I think that's one of the chief things that if the police chief and the mayor … if the mayor wants the police chief to survive in this environment in Houston, some very, very serious things are going to have to change," Clark said.

Mayor Bill White was rather noncommittal in a statement he issued yesterday, calling Hurtt "an experienced and respected police chief" and saying Houston police are the best-trained anywhere. White acknowledged challenges within the police department, including officers being stretched thin from the post-Katrina population surge, but he said it'll take at least two years to build the police force to the necessary levels.

"I respect and have great confidence in the Houston Police Officers' Union. I have confidence in the chief and the management team," White said, adding that he's urged Hurtt and the union to work together to focus on the task of making Houston safer.