FORT WORTH -- The police official in charge of supervising the investigations of alleged wrongdoings by Fort Worth police officers could find himself in the position of being investigated by the members of his department.
Chief of Staff Maj. Paul Henderson, 45, was arrested early Saturday morning on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Parker County. Henderson is listed as a supervisor over several divisions in the Fort Worth Police Department, including internal affairs, the division assigned to investigate officers accused of unlawful behavior, according to the department's website.In addition to internal affairs, Henderson supervises special investigations, program support, research, grants, public relations, data management and labor issues.On Saturday, Henderson was put on "restricted status" during criminal and administrative investigations into the incident, Police Chief Jeff Halstead said in a prepared statement."I will make immediate changes in his responsibilities to protect the integrity of this process and ensure all projects can continue as planned, ensuring our department remains efficient to our citizens," said Halstead, who promoted Henderson from lieutenant to major in June 2011.Henderson remained free Sunday after posting $1,000 bail, according to Parker County Jail records.He was booked into the jail at 3:06 a.m. Saturday and was released more than six hours later at 9:28 a.m., jail records show.Henderson, who lives in Parker County, was off-duty at the time he was arrested by a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper after the officer saw the Fort Worth police officer make an unsafe lane change near the Interstate 30/20 spilt in Parker County.He was pulled over about 1:46 a.m. just east of Aledo, according to DPS reports.Officers arrested for DWI could face anywhere from a 15-day suspension to termination, according to department policy.On Sunday, DPS trooper Lonny Haschel referred all questions about the arrest to the Parker County district attorney's office. Parker County prosecutors could not be reached Sunday."Once charges are filed, all evidence and reports become part of a criminal investigation which is then in the jurisdiction of the Parker County district attorney's office," Haschel said.In April 2010, Henderson was vocal about the department's frustration after a rash of incidents involving Fort Worth police officers and alcohol."We are absolutely fed up with dealing with this off-duty behavior," he said.Eight months later, despite mandatory alcohol-awareness training for all police employees, two officers were arrested in five days on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.A year later, another officer faced DWI and gun charges.Halstead said Henderson has apologized for the incident. The chief said his statement would be his only comment, citing the ongoing investigation.This report includes material from Star-Telegram archives.Domingo Ramirez Jr.,817-390-7763Twitter: @mingoramirezjrHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
