DOJ Investigates Texas Cases

HOUSTON — Houston’s police chief says the U.S. Justice Department is investigating six cases over the last two years in which officers fatally shot or allegedly used excessive force against unarmed individuals.

Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland in a statement says he is confident the department’s policies and procedures follow or exceed the best practices in law enforcement.

A Justice Department spokeswoman did not have any immediate comment about the investigation.

Civil rights groups applaud the investigation but also commend McClelland for his proactive efforts to provide better training to Houston police.

One of the cases being investigated is the September shooting of Brian Claunch, a mentally ill one-armed, one-legged man in a wheelchair who was killed after officers said he threatened them with what turned out to be a ballpoint pen.