Dallas / Fort Worth Local News

FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ― In a press release sent out Thursday, the Fort Worth Police Department announced that it has suspended all operations with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead said the action is being taken until the department gains a 'better understanding' of the events that occurred at the Rainbow Lounge last weekend.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission said Wednesday it is investigating its joint police raid on the bar that left one man hospitalized and sparked claims of brutality.

People from across the country are expressing concerns that police tactics were harsh because most of the Rainbow Lounge patrons were gay.

In response to the suspension of operations Carolyn Beck, with the TABC, said that TABC Administrator Alan Steen supports Chief Halstead and that the two have been in contact with each other. Beck went on to say that both Steen and Halstead share the same goal – "…to establish the facts surrounding the incident at the Rainbow Lounge, to hold accountable any employees who violated policy or the law, and to determine the best way to serve the people of Texas moving forward".

Wednesday, the TABC admitted that 26-year-old Chad Gibson was in its agents' custody when he was hurt, and not in the custody of Fort Worth Police. In a statement, Steen said, "We are saddened that this incident occurred and extend our sincere hope that Mr. Gibson recovers quickly. I have initiated an internal affairs investigation."

At last check Gibson was in fair condition at a Fort Worth hospital. His family has said he suffered bleeding on the brain.

"All parties involved have a responsibility in this," said Gibson's sister, Kristy Gibson. "The Fort Worth Police's job is to protect our citizens. And so, if they're trying to push this off on the TABC then my question to you is, 'Where were you to protect my brother from getting hurt?'"

Raymond Gill was at the bar during the raid. He says one of the TABC officers targeted him. "I asked him why I was pulled outside. He stated it was because the way I was walking. He said I looked like I was drunk. But as I stated, I got to the bar 30 minutes before they got there. I sat down had not got up before police got there. No one saw me walk."

Police records show that during the raid five people were arrested for public intoxication and at least a dozen more were restrained.

Gibson's sister says her brother wasn't drunk. ".08 is the legal limit. He was at .2. You have to be at .4 to have true alcohol poisoning and he was not close to that," Morgan said.

The Thursday press release also said that during the suspension of operations Chief Halstead desires to 'learn about the historical relationship' between the TABC and the FWPD.

In an effort to establish 'clearly defined roles and responsibilities' of each organization, the chief will conduct meetings with TABC officials in the coming weeks. Halstead said the intent is to better serve the community in conducting inspections.

FWPD is also taking steps to ensure that multiculturalism training is provided to all police employees, specifically toward the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

State Senator Wendy Davis and State Representative Lon Burnam are both calling for an independent investigation into the incident. In a joint statement they said, "It is our hope that an objective, outside investigation be made which would examine internal investigation reports of both the Fort Worth Police Department and the TABC, as well as eye witness accounts."

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