KBCraig wrote:Lucky45 wrote:isn't the Drivers license branch where DPS send troopers with disciplinary problems?
How many DL offices have a
captain working there?
It must be the place for their 'problem children'. We had an issue a couple of years ago at the DL office.
We were training a service dog for use by the handicapped. The dog went EVERYWHERE with my wife. She was at the license office for about an hour waiting in line. The dog was laying beside her the whole time, not making a sound. The local DPS Sergeant came back from lunch and spotted the dog. She had the DPS trooper assigned there come out and tell her she had to leave. My wife tried to explain that the dog was a service dog in training, and state law says they are allowed anywhere. The trooper told her his supervisor (the Sergeant) said if she didn't leave he would have to give her a ticket.
My wife said she would step outside with the dog, but wanted to talk to the supervisor. The supervisor came out, and from a distance, told her she could leave the dog in the car (no way as it was 95 degrees outside and the rules are the dog stays with you.) She tried to explain, but the Sergeant just said no and walked back inside. We really think the Sergeant was afraid of dogs.
My wife called me while taking the dog home and I immediately called Austin. They put me through to the Captain over the DL Division. When I told the Captain what had happened, she said 'Oh no" and apologized. I advised her that refusing to allow a service dog access to a building was a Class C misdemeanor. She told me I would get a call in just a few minutes.
About 5 minutes later, the Lieutenant over this office called. I advised of the situation. He apologized and said it would be straightened out. I asked the Lieutenant to have the Sergeant call me so I could see what her reasoning was for ousting the dog, and get an apology from her. He said he would do that and again apologized. By this time my wife had taken the dog home (about 5 miles) and gone back. Luckily they allowed her to go to the front of the line.
I didn't receive a call the next day, so I called the DL office. I got in touch with the Sergeant and she told me a lawyer friend told her only seeing eye dogs can be in buildings. I told her she was wrong and to check the state statutes. She said she had been advised of this now and why did I call the Captain? I told her ignorance was no excuse for the law and she said, 'Well, people make mistakes." I said "In uniform, you are to enforce the laws as written and if you don't know the law, you should not make up your own interpretation." She stated she didn't need ANOTHER black mark on her record (hence the DL position maybe??) I told her next time to make sure she understands the law. She hung up and never did say she was sorry, so the Lieutenant got a call back. He said he would write up a formal complaint for me.
Long story longer
in the bureaucracy of the government system, it seems like there are places they put the bad eggs so they will ride out their time and not stink things up too badly.
It sounds like DPS has handled the problem, and I'm sure HPD will take care of any business they need to as well. I'm glad that the situation looks like it's being resolved, which I know will give you some peace of mind.