Police Union increases pressure in Mayoral Race

The Houston Police Officers Union, HPOU, is putting an all out effort to get their guy, Gene Locke, elected as the next Mayor of Houston.  Before the November election, the Union sent out two targeted mailers on behalf of Gene Locke.  One of the mailers featured the widow of Officer Tim Abernathy talking about her husband and the need for Gene Locke to be elected Mayor.

Once Locke made it into the runoffs, the Union's efforts have increased.  Yesterday, HPOU sent out a press release accusing Annise Parker of week on crime. The release alleges that Parker has threatened to take apart the Police Department, and the Union says it's "lost confidence" in Parker.

Gary Blankinship, president of the 5,000-plus member Houston Police Officers' Union stated, "Our organization screened all the candidates and found Gene Locke to be, without equivocation, the only candidate to make the commitment to increase officers on the streets of our city and in the investigative divisions so that HPD officers can do a better job of protecting the people of Houston.
... 
Although HPOU has endorsed Parker in her previous campaigns, she has on several occasions been on the opposite side of Houston Police.

Today, the Union is prepared to turn up the rhetoric even more.  It's holding a news conference with the widows of both Officers Abernathy and Rodney Johnson.  The Union will make an effort to paint Parker as weak on crime.

It will be interesting to see how Parker responds.  Parker has said publicly that she wants Chief Harold Hurtt out.  Meanwhile, Chief Hurtt made an appearance at Gene Locke's party on election night.  Parker lost the HPOU endorsement, but has been endorsed by several smaller law enforcement unions that represents both police and Sheriff's Deputies.

Will the Union's efforts pay off?  We're heading to the news conference and you can watch later tonight on eyewitness News.