DALLAS, Texas — The Dallas Police Department has placed Allison Hudson, the civilian who runs its media relations office, on administrative leave while its public integrity unit continues a criminal investigation into her conduct, the department confirmed Thursday.
The change comes about a week after Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said publicly that the department does not put employees on leave just because a complaint has been filed. In a new statement, Comeaux called the move the right call for both the department and Hudson, without laying out why his position shifted.
The inquiry stems from an August complaint about her department-issued vehicle. That complaint says Hudson turned on the vehicle lights and sirens, something a civilian employee is not allowed to do. Sean Pease, who leads the Dallas Police Association, has said she is accused of the felony of impersonating a public servant.
Hudson holds the title of assistant director of media relations and has been in the job a little more than a year. She came to Dallas from the Houston Police Department and reports straight to Comeaux, who also arrived from Houston after leading the Drug Enforcement Administration field office there.
Pease and the union had questioned why she stayed on duty for weeks while under investigation, arguing that officers facing lesser misdemeanor allegations have been sidelined right away. The city has also asked the Texas attorney general to let it keep some records about her case private, saying release could interfere with the open investigation.
Hudson has not commented publicly. No charges had been announced as of Friday morning, and the department has not said how long the review will take.
Section: More Dallas TX crime news
Filed under: Dallas TX Public Safety News
