Recall Petition in Texas City Alleges Misconduct, Police Exodus, and Obstruction
TEXAS CITY, Texas — A movement to recall Mayor Dedrick Johnson is gaining momentum, fueled by public concerns and now backed by a powerful voice: the Texas City Municipal Police Association. The association’s president, Officer Rachael Spahr, has issued a bold statement of support, citing what she calls an “erosion of leadership and trust” at the highest levels of city government.
Spahr’s public endorsement follows months of internal frustrations, which she says have gone unheard, leading to record-high turnover in the police department and a worsening sense of insecurity among officers and residents alike.
Officer Exodus and Morale Breakdown
In a two-page open letter, Spahr revealed that over 30 officers have resigned from the Texas City Police Department since 2023 — collectively representing more than 470 years of experience.
According to the letter, officers are leaving due to low morale, fears of retaliation, and a lack of transparency from Police Chief Landis Cravens and Mayor Johnson.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Spahr wrote. “But meaningful change is not possible under current leadership.”
Spahr alleges that experienced detectives and patrol supervisors have either resigned or been pushed out. She warns that patrols now run with dangerously low staffing levels, and night shifts are primarily filled with officers having less than two years of experience.
Retaliation, Silence, and Inaction
Spahr, a mother of three and a patrol officer herself, said she has personally been the subject of internal investigations and denied promotions due to her position as union president.
She claimed that numerous surveys and proposals were submitted to city leadership, but no actions were taken in response.
“We’ve submitted exit interviews, offered contract proposals, and shared concerns — only to be ignored,” she said.
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Citizens’ Petition Gains Steam
A citizen-led recall petition, spearheaded by Texas Hometown Solutions and resident Joshua McMeekin, has quickly gained traction. Organizers report over 300 signatures collected in just two days.
McMeekin said he launched the petition due to concerns about public safety, rising crime, and mass departures from the police department.
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“Keeping the city safe should be non-negotiable,” he told KGTX 7. “We need leadership that understands that.”
The petition drive hopes to gather between 1,200 to 2,000 signatures, exceeding the minimum threshold to account for duplicates and errors.
Transparency Disputes and Video Evidence
Frustrations over access to public records have also emerged. McMeekin provided video footage of an exchange with City Secretary Rhomari Leigh, who allegedly refused to answer his questions about the recall process.
Investigative journalist Wayne Dolcefino, known for filing open records requests across Texas, claims this isn’t new behavior. He says Leigh and city staff routinely delay or deny access to records — prompting a criminal complaint against her office.
“We know their game — they give a few records to claim compliance, but hide the most important ones,” Dolcefino said.
Serious Allegations in Recall Affidavit
A sworn affidavit submitted with the petition outlines broader allegations against the mayor’s administration. These include:
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Economic Development Roadblocks: Johnson allegedly halted talks with developers behind the Latitude Margaritaville Galveston Bay project, which could have created 2,000 jobs and generated $281 million in economic activity.
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Police Staffing Priorities: A special mayoral “Dignitary Protection Unit” was reportedly assigned six officers during a Christmas event — while only seven officers were on duty for the entire city.
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Historic Demolition Lawsuit: The city allegedly demolished a historic Black cultural building just days before a scheduled court hearing. The African American Preservation Committee has since filed suit.
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Public Records Failures: Over 350 public records requests have allegedly gone unanswered, including those concerning internal affairs and mayoral security expenditures.
Mayor’s Response
Mayor Dedrick Johnson issued a written statement, defending his record while avoiding direct comment on the police union’s concerns.
“We’ve welcomed thousands of new homes, brought in restaurants like Texas Roadhouse and Burlington, launched a police cadet program, and built a new fire station,” he stated. “There are more community programs than ever before.”
As of publication, neither Johnson’s office nor the Public Information Officer has responded to KGTX 7’s detailed questions about the union’s accusations or the recall effort.
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What Happens Next?
Under Texas City’s Charter, the petition must meet a specific percentage of signatures from registered voters to be considered valid. Once submitted, city officials will verify the signatures before a recall vote can be scheduled.
Spahr clarified that the union is not organizing the recall but is fully behind the citizen-led initiative.
“We’re speaking up for those too afraid to speak for themselves,” Spahr said. “Texas City deserves better.”
Final Takeaway
The growing push to recall Mayor Dedrick Johnson reflects broader concerns about governance, accountability, and public safety in Texas City. Whether the petition succeeds remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — a significant portion of the community, including its police officers, is calling for change.
