On April 15, President Lozano requested that Don Salisbury be appointed temporary 2nd Vice President until the next election, due to the position becoming vacant. President Lozano also requested from the board that Noe Gonzalez be appointed as a trustee, due to his enormous amount of support and dedication to the lodge. Congratulations to you both!

Brothers and Sisters,

One of the biggest items that we're trying to improve on is communication within our organization. It is highly encouraged for our members to register here at our NEW Website and download our NEW Mobile App, so that you can receive live updates through text and/or email. It only takes a few minutes and has proved to be highly informative. For those already registered, thanks and let other members know the benefits of a registering.

Stay Safe. Watch your six!

It is with great sadness that we report today the passing of Houston Metro K-9 Officer Amy. Officer Amy was assigned to Officer Armstrong as her handler.

While serving her five years at the Houston Metro Police Department, she had many memorable assignments. One of her assignments included security sweeps for President George H.W. Bush. We want to thank everyone for the love and support for Officer Amy. RIP

Earlier this year the Houston Metro Police Union, Lodge 98 gave out Backpacks and School Supplies during our annual event.  The attached letter was received from the Galena Park Independent School District.

We would like to thank Constable Alan Rosen and the Harris County Constable Pct 1 Deputies for teaming up with us for this year's Back To School Back Pack Program. We donated 100's of back packs to needy children and provided cases of water to keep people hydrated for this hot day, and for those playing the three-on-three basketball contest at Eisenhower High School. This successful event was a great community outreach program, and it was certainly a pleasure working with the Constable's Office. Thank you to all that volunteered their time to be here.

The below information is for those Officers who carry the Sig Sauer P320 and is in response to the viral video making the rounds of the Sig firing when it is dropped.

HPD Sergeant Robert Sandoval and his officers at the gun range immediately conducted their own test and found that more than 10% of the time when the Sig P320 was dropped on the back of the weapon, it would fire.

Robert immediately contacted Sig, who gave a generic press release response that it had "passed previous federal drop tests". 

Robert continued to call Sig working his way through their hierarchy, till finally they agreed to exchange all faulty pistols for new ones. However, he didn't stop there, he is now working with Sig to ensure that they come out to a department facility to do the exchanges, in order to make it easier for our officers.

I would like to thank Robert and Officer Joe Gamaldi, HPOU Vice President, for doing a wonderful job in handling this complicated situation. 

I am working with Joe on a joint effort for any of our members that may be carrying the Sig model. If you are in possession of said model, please contact me ASAP. 

Regards, 

Robert Lozano
President
Houston Metro Police Union FOP

Safety Bulletin

Sig Sauer P320 “drop test” issue:

The HPD Training Division has recently learned that Sig Sauer has identified a condition whereby the P320 models could possibly discharge if dropped in a certain way: 

If the weapon is dropped and the weapon hits a hard surface with the frame and back of the slide at the same time, the weapon could discharge. 

Members of the Firearms Unit of the HPD Training Division were able to duplicate the “drop test failure,” therefore caution must be used when handling the Sig Sauer P320 models.    

Sig Sauer issued a public Press Release on September 8th, 2017, acknowledging the safety concern of an unintentional discharge with the P320 models when dropped. Sig Sauer plans to have a special program for the Houston Police Department to replace all Sig Sauer P320 models and calibers. The one-for-one replacements include both Primary and Off-Duty weapons. Firearms Unit staff are currently coordinating that effort with Sig Sauer.   

The new P320s will incorporate many upgraded parts and functions, including functional enhancements that are being implemented to the slide, trigger, and magazine.  

The leadership of Houston Metro Police, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 98 would like to remind our members to KEEP THEIR FIELD NOTES as mandated by the State.

Brother and Sisters,

We have some exciting news. Today we reached another milestone and kicked off our Mobile App for Android and iOS Phones and Tablets. We hope that this additional resource to your Tablet or Smartphone can make things more accessible, then having to log completely into the website. This is something new and exciting for the Lodge. The Mobile App is under FOP 98 and we have direct links to Google Play and iTunes App Store in the module in the left column.  You must be a registered member of the website to access the Members Only Section of the Mobile App.

Robert Lozano
President