07/06/2023
Commerce Police Release Statement regarding Commerce Police Officer Wesley Russell. Wesley Russell previously served as a Narcotics Detective with the Greenville Police Department.
On July 10, 2021, police from Sherman, TX pulled over a vehicle that was driven by Wesley Russell. After conducting a field sobriety test, Mr. Russell was arrested on a DWI charge. Mr. Russell, who is a detective with the Commerce Police Department, was off duty.
Commerce City and Police Administration were notified the next day and began an internal review process. Detective Russell fully cooperated with all the City’s administrative review process, including a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) that included fully random drug/alcohol blood tests. There was a shift in job responsibilities while the arrest case was going through the judicial system.
On February 16, 2023, Commerce City and Police Administration were made aware of the disposition of the case filed in Grayson County, Texas County Court at Law #2. Russell received orders imposing conditions of community supervision under deferred adjudication and was required to 1) abstain from any and all consumption of alcoholic beverages 2) complete community service restitution and 3) have a state-approved deep lung ignition interlock device on his personal vehicle among a list of other court ordered conditions. Article 42 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure makes a clear distinction between the interlock device requirements for personal vehicles and work vehicles. After consultation with officials from the Hunt County District Attorney’s office, it was determined that Russell could still work investigations and that his cases would be accepted. Based on discretion of City Administration, Russell was stripped of his take-home vehicle privileges and continues to serve under probationary employment with modified duties.
According to City Manager Howdy Lisenbee: “During the City’s administrative and internal review of Detective Russell’s case, it was determined that Detective Russell has served a distinguished career of consistent and committed service. There was no previous cases or examples of such a failure. Detective Russell had a series of traumatic events in his personal life, and unfortunately, he made a significant error in judgment while coping with these matters. I don’t want to downplay the seriousness of the offense that he committed. However, I will also submit that our true character is displayed AFTER the mistake is made and the pressure of consequences is applied. Detective Russell has passed EVERY character test that I’ve given him since this offense was committed.”
Lisenbee continues: “In today’s social climate, we ask our law enforcement professionals to perform a job that is physically and emotionally demanding. Few stop to consider the level of trauma that law enforcement and first responders deal with on a daily or weekly basis. The impact this work has on their mental health is significant, and so must our response, support, and resources be significant to support the women and the men who serve our communities.”
Finally, Lisenbee concludes: “I will not ask the men and women of our first responder ranks to continue to faithfully serve our community only to throw them away at the first sign of a mistake. I will evaluate their character and provide as much support and resources to them as possible while they perform such a difficult job. Detective Russell was an exceptional officer before this offense, and he has submitted to every requirement since that time. It is my personal and professional opinion that Detective Russell remains an exceptional law enforcement officer that made a mistake during a dark time in his personal life. I remain honored to stand beside Detective Russell and serve this community with him.”
We ask that the community accepts and respects city administration’s decision. We work hard every day to provide services to our community and ensure the best interest of the citizens we serve and we will continue to do so.
