Lawsuit against the Bertram police

BERTRAM, Texas (KXAN) - The Texas Civil Rights Project is representing several people in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday against Bertram Police Chief David Caudle, and the City of Bertram. The citizens claim Caudle acted lawlessly and abusively toward Bertram residents over the course of 2008.

"You see this pattern of really bizarre behavior by somebody who ought not be in law enforcement period," said TCRP Director Jim Harrington at a press conference Thursday.

The suit claims Caudle caused a wreck in a patrol car after running a red light in January. A pregnant woman was involved, and Caudle allegedly tried to deter other officers and EMS from responding. The second incident in question happened in February. The suit claims the chief pointed his gun at an officer pictured on a computer screen. That officer was later fired.

"I can only hope for that man's badge to be taken away," said James Kincheloe while petting his pit bull puppy, Bud. In August, Caudle shot and killed Bud's father Buddy outside the Kincheloe’s house.

"I don't see that I could have done anything different," said Caudle. The chief said Buddy was not on a leash, and when he approached the Kincheloe's house to find the owner, it appeared Buddy was going to attack. "I had to make a choice of either getting bit or protecting myself," said Caudle.

At a press conference Thursday, Bertram Mayor Pro-Tem L.O. Pogue said he was verbally threatened by Caudle after informing him he did not support him. Pogue is one seven plaintiffs listed in the lawsuit also filed against Mayor JoAnn Stephens. It claims she consistently silenced citizens at council meetings.

The suit also sheds light on Caudle’s work history. While a Travis County jailer, the suit claims Caudle was written up nine times for using excessive force toward inmates and other jailers. He was fired in 2002 after inappropriately grabbing an inmate.