As it struggles with matters of race and use of force, the Fort Worth Police Department will have an insider at its rudder.
Ed Kraus, who became a Fort Worth police officer in 1992, on Wednesday accepted the department’s top job when it was offered by City Manager David Cooke. His selection as chief comes after a six-month tryout period of sorts. Kraus, who is white, was named interim chief in May when Cooke fired Joel Fitzgerald, the city’s first black chief.
“I feel like this is where God put me for now,” Kraus said. “I’ll serve as long as I can and do the best job I can.”
Kraus’ elevation also comes about a month and a half after a Fort Worth police officer was charged with murder after he fatally shot a woman in a major blunder from which the department has been trying to recover.
Atatiana Jefferson, a 28-year-old black woman, was shot in her home by a white officer, Aaron Dean, who resigned.
Kraus, 52, will succeed Fitzgerald, who was fired in May following a confrontation in Washington, D.C., with the head of the state police union during a memorial for fallen officers. The city has said he was fired because of the D.C. clash and his failure to exercise sound judgment and leadership.
Fitzgerald is suing the city and has said that he was fired unjustly.
The city did not conduct a national search for Fitzgerald’s replacement.
Cooke said Kraus would be formally announced as his selection for chief Thursday afternoon. The city council is not required to approve Kraus as chief, since he was sworn in in May, but next week it will vote on a resolution acknowledging and supporting Cooke’s decision.
Kraus, who was executive assistant police chief under Fitzgerald, quickly established himself and met challenges head on after taking on the role of interim chief, Cooke said. Feedback from the community and the department made him feel comfortable in selecting Kraus permanently, he said.
“He’s the right guy for the job,” Cooke said.
The decision to take on the responsibility of chief was difficult, Kraus said.
A few weeks ago Kraus told assistant city manager Jay Chapa he needed time away from work with his family to consider if he wanted to pursue the position. It has been an “all consuming” role and had taken a toll on his family, he said. Kraus and his wife, Angie, have two sons, ages 19 and 22.
The family took the Thanksgiving week to consider whether he would seek the job permanently.
The past few months have been trying for the community and the department, Kraus said. Fort Worth police officers have shot seven people this year.
Kraus said he will continue to release “as much information as possible, as quickly as possible” about all situations, including instances when an officer shoots a person. Transparency is key to public trust, he said.
Kraus has said the department’s goal is to offer an early account within 90 minutes of an officer-involved shooting and body-worn camera video within three days of shootings that occur in places other than the interior of residences.
“The police work for the people,” he said.
United Fort Worth, a grassroots coalition that advocates for greater police accountability, in a statement urged more transparency and community input in leadership decisions.
At city council meetings, members have described frustration with how the city has selected candidates for an independent police monitor and a diversity and inclusion director. The group continued that criticism in its assessment of Kraus’ hiring.
“To build a positive relationship with the people, Ed Kraus should have asked for a transparent and community-driven process with a pool of candidates,” the statement said. “At such a critical time, there was no opportunity to give feedback on who leads our police department. That causes us concern.”
Kraus’ selection is possible because State District Judge Gena Slaughter ruled on Nov. 21 that the city could go forward with a search for a new police chief. Slaughter’s order overturned a prior temporary injunction that prevented the city from hiring a new police chief while Fitzgerald’s lawsuit is pending.
Cooke testified at a hearing on the injunction that Fitzgerald was fired because of a series of problems with his performance that included budgeting and Fitzgerald’s relationship with the community. The “tipping point” came when Fitzgerald engaged in a heated confrontation with a top Texas state union official at a national event honoring fallen officers, Cooke said.
Fitzgerald’s attorney, Stephen Kennedy, said Wednesday that the city is on record saying if Fitzgerald is reinstated, the person who has filled the chief’s position will be asked to step down.
“We will wait for a jury to decide,” Kennedy said.
Mayor Betsy Price offered plaudits for Kraus in a statement.
“I have always been impressed with Kraus’ professionalism, leadership, and rapport with the community, rank and file officers, and city management,” Price said. “A homegrown officer who has served Fort Worth for more than 26 years, Kraus is a well-respected leader with a servant’s heart.”
Manny Ramirez, the president of the police officers’ union, said officers were “excited to usher in a new era of leadership.”
Kraus has the ability to galvanize support from officers, city leaders and the community, Ramirez said. Respect for Kraus has not wavered during his nearly 30 years of service.
“He provides principled leadership,” Ramirez said.
This story was originally published December 04, 2019 7:50 PM.
Emerson Clarridge
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
