Tarrant County adopts cite and release policy for low-level offenses

Tarrant County adopts cite and release policy for low-level offenses

Most police departments in Tarrant County officially agree with the new cite and release policy — but not the man who represents officers for the largest department in the county.

FORT WORTH, Texas - Tarrant County announced police departments don't have to arrest people for low-level offenses, like petty theft or marijuana possession.

Most police departments in Tarrant County officially agree with the new policy — but not the man who represents officers for the largest department in the county.

Some departments across Tarrant County are calling this a win. They say it allows officers to concentrate on more serious, violent crimes. However, the head of one police union calls it being soft on crime.

Police officers throughout Tarrant County now have discretion to issue a citation for certain low-level misdemeanor crimes — like possession of marijuana — instead of making an arrest, the district attorney’s office announced Monday.

"So the officer can spend more time working on more violent crime issues," said Arlington Police Asst. Chief Kevin Kolbye. "Also, I think it benefits the taxpayers."

The Arlington Police Department supports the plan.

"Again, this is low-level, non-violent misdemeanor offenses," Kolbye said.

State law allows cite and release. It’s been that way since 2007. People cited still have to appear in court.

"It’s nothing more than a notice to appear before a magistrate within a 30-day period," Kolby explained.

However, Fort Worth Police Officers Association President Manny Ramirez, who also recently announced he’s running as a Republican in 2022 for the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, expressed a different opinion Tuesday.

"So this just sends the wrong message that we’re going to be soft on crime now and in the future," he said.

Regardless of his intentions to run for elected office, Ramirez still represents 1,700 rank-and-file officers. His stance puts him at odds with the official stance of the Fort Worth Police Department.

Fort Worth PD said in a statement that cite and release is a "step in increasing the efficiency of our officers as we all work together to reduce violent crime."

Theft of something valued under $750 also falls along the cite and release option.

Ramirez continued to point toward the message that may send.

"We have to be very careful on the signals that we send," he said.

"This is just another program where an officer has the discretion," Kolbye said.

Several other Tarrant County police departments publicly support cite and release. 

It’s been happening in Dallas county since 2017.

 "I have high confidence that all of our individuals that are cited and released will be prosecuted Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office to the full extent," Kolbye said.