Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen is suing to block a suspension of his peace officer license, arguing that his election protects him from disciplinary action over alleged omissions on official forms.
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Jimmy Fullen, the sheriff of Galveston County, has sued to stop the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) from taking away his peace officer license because of what they say are mistakes on official papers.
Fullen, who was chosen in November and took office, says that because he is an elected official, the licensing board can't punish him. The commission says Fullen didn't tell them about arrests and other problems from decades ago when he filled out a personal history form for a background check as part of an application for a new license.
Fullen filed the case on Monday in a Galveston County district court. He says that if the suspension goes through, he could be found incapable of doing his job and fired. TCOLE Executive Director Gregory Stevens had previously noted that Fullen's license should be removed, which is why the sheriff is suing. Even though this suggestion was made, Fullen easily won the poll.
As the court case proceeds, it raises important questions about whether a state licensing board can hold an elected police officer responsible or whether the election itself is more important than any possible punishments.
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