DPS upholds decision to terminate trooper in Sandra Bland case

AUSTIN – Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw is upholding his preliminary decision to terminate Trooper Brian Encinia from the department for reasons related to the trooper’s traffic stop of Sandra Bland on July 10, 2015.

As permitted by the department’s termination proceedings, following the preliminary termination notice/statement of charges dated January 28, 2016, Encinia subsequently requested a meeting with the director to discuss his termination. That meeting took place on February 5, 2016.

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After thorough consideration, Director McCraw issued a letter of final termination.

According to the termination proceedings, Encinia may appeal the director’s final determination to the Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC) – the five-member oversight board for DPS. Should he appeal to the PSC, the commission may then set aside or affirm the discharge following a public hearing.

Following the arrest of Sandra Bland by Encinia last year in Prairie View, Texas, and the subsequent in-custody death at the Waller County Jail, the Texas Rangers immediately conducted an investigation into both incidents to determine if any criminal violation had occurred.

The results of the investigation were turned over to the Waller County special prosecutors and ultimately the grand jury. On January 6, 2016, following the Waller County grand jury indictment of Encinia, DPS announced its intentions to begin termination proceedings to discharge him from the department.