Former Houston Police Chief and current Houston City Council member C.O. "Brad" Bradford wants Houston police officers who patrol the inner city to live in the inner city.
And Bradford has proposed that the city should pay officers an additional $10,000 per year if they opt to move. Bradford's thoughts: If officers live with the folks they are charged with policing, the bonds they form could be lifesaving.
"He or she are better able to assess threats, potential risks that could lead to de-escalation as opposed to some of the shootings that we've seen across America," Bradford said. "Most of our officers now do not live in Houston proper."
Bradford said after he had a lot of conversations with police leaders in other cities, he came up with a proposal.
The head of the Houston Police Officers Union and the leader of anti-brutality marches both said this could be a good thing.
"I actually like the idea," said community activist Deric Muhammad. "Should be made to do some type of community service in that community, even if he doesn't live there."
The proposal is in the discussion phase only right now. Also, there has been no Houston City Council discussions about where the money to fund the incentive plan would come from.
