Fort Worth chief suspends operations with TABC as incident investigated

By BILL MILLER

wmiller@star-telegram.com

Joint operations between Fort Worth police and the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission have been suspended during investigations into an inspection early Sunday that resulted in the injury of a man at a new gay club near the city’s hospital district.

Chief Jeff Halstead on Thursday announced a series of actions relating to the early-morning incident Sunday at the Rainbow Lounge on Jennings Street, which has drawn protests from the gay community.

Halstead also said he would conduct a review of "multicultural training" for police officers to ensure that the information is "up to date" on issues that concern the gay community.

Meanwhile, the man who was hurt, 26-year-old Chad Gibson, was still in fair condition at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth where he was being treated for a head injury.

On Wednesday, TABC officials acknowledged that Gibson had been in the custody of a TABC agent who was participating in an inspection the bar.

Fort Worth police and TABC officials have said they are conducting their own internal investigations into what happened.

But Halstead on Thursday suspended joint operations between the two agencies "until we gain a better understanding of the events that occurred at the Rainbow Lounge," according to a news release from Sgt. Pedro Criado, police spokesman.

"Furthermore," Criado added, "Chief Halstead desires to learn about the historical relationship between the TABC and the Fort Worth Police Department."

The news release also stated that Halstead planned to meet with TABC officials "to establish clearly defined roles and responsibilities of each organization with the intent to better serve the community in conducting inspections."

Criado noted that Halstead wants to meet with community leaders to get their advice on how police can improve their service to everyone.

Protesters have complained that excessive force was used by police and TABC agents during the inspection, which has also been referred to as a "raid."

According to earlier reports, six Fort Worth police officers, two TABC agents and a supervisor entered the Rainbow Lounge about 1 a.m. Sunday to check for alcohol-related violations.

Inside, some customers made "sexually explicit motions," according to police, and one grabbed an officer’s crotch.

Officers took more than 20 people outside for questioning and seven were arrested on suspicion of public intoxication, police said. The TABC said only five were arrested, four men and one woman.

Halstead has said that the department received about 500 calls but that only two were from people who had been at the bar. Investigators need to hear from witnesses, not just from people who want to complain, he said.

David Reed, president of the Tarrant County Lesbian/Gay Alliance, said he was pleased to hear the chief’s announcements on Thursday.

"I think all of it’s great; we can start with that," Reed said. "I look forward to seeing them implemented."

Reed added that he was glad Halstead pledged earlier this week to appoint a department liaison to the gay community.

But Reed also noted that members of the gay community are still angry and they conveyed their opinions Thursday at a candlelight vigil for Gibson. It was held outside the Rainbow Lounge.

"I think it puts a burden on the Fort Worth Police Department to be diligent in pursing opportunities to build bridges with the gay community," he said. "I was at the vigil, and there still is some pretty serious anger, which has not died down."

This report contains information from the Star-Telegram archives.

BILL MILLER, 817-390-7684