City Probes Allegations against Tatum Police Chief

TATUM — Tatum officials are investigating allegations brought against the police chief by a woman who said she was forced by the chief to leave her home in her vehicle while she was intoxicated. Meanwhile, according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, another Tatum police officer is on an unpaid leave of absence. Tatum Mayor Phil Cory said the city was looking into the allegations brought against Tatum Police Chief Ron Martin during Monday’s city council meeting by Tonia Camancho, a Tatum resident. Cory wouldn’t comment on why another officer is on an unpaid leave of absence.

Camancho said she asked to be placed on the city council meeting’s agenda to speak because Martin was refusing to let her file complaints regarding the situation and threatened to arrest her. In the city council meeting, Camancho said the issue started Dec. 15 at her Tatum residence, which is in the 100 block of McNeese Circle. Rusk County Sheriff’s officers responded to Camancho’s home, which she shares with Tatum Police Officer Jeffrey Brock, in connection with a domestic issue.

“I called the sheriff’s office again, but this time (Martin) intercepted the call. The chief came into my home, didn’t ask me any questions and said ‘get your stuff and get out of here.’ What could I do? He said he was going to take me to jail if I didn’t do what he said,” Camancho said. “I told him three times I was too intoxicated to drive, and he shined a light in my eye and said, ‘You’re not too intoxicated to drive. Get in your car and drive.’” She also said Martin grabbed a basket of her clothes and put her out in the rain while she was wearing one shoe.

The mayor wouldn’t confirm whether Brock was on an unpaid leave of absence. According to the city council minutes, Camancho asked officials why Brock had been suspended because of the investigation, but Martin had not been. Cory said the city council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday to finish discussing the allegations brought against Martin. Monday, the city council met until almost midnight discussing Camancho’s allegations. “We really haven’t completed the investigation. It got late and we decided we couldn’t go on,” Cory said. “We have an officer under investigation, but I can’t comment on why, or who. We’re going to follow the law. If there’s anything criminal going on, we’re going to address it.”

Cory said the situation was brought to the city’s attention within the past few weeks. He noted that aside from this situation, no complaints had been filed against Martin. “Now we have complaints from people who disagree with getting a ticket, but as far as any official complaints, there have been none,” he said. Martin couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.