The Pasadena Police Department said a former sergeant, who resigned amid an internal investigation, has surrendered his Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) peace officer license as part of an agreement that resolved the matter without criminal prosecution.
Department statement says case resolved by license surrender
In a statement to local media, the department said the matter "was resolved through an agreement requiring the individual to surrender his Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) peace officer license in lieu of criminal prosecution." The department declined further comment because it described the case as closed.
The officer, identified in earlier reporting as former Sgt. Michael Palitz, resigned while under an internal investigation, according to prior coverage. The department said the investigation continued after his resignation and that the recent agreement concluded the matter.
Allegations involved use of license-plate reader system
Earlier reporting by KPRC 2, which first disclosed the investigation in July, said a Pasadena city council member alleged Palitz had misused the department's Flock Safety license plate reader camera system to track a fellow officer. Those allegations have not been independently verified and no criminal charges have been filed.
"The matter was resolved through an agreement requiring the individual to surrender his Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) peace officer license in lieu of criminal prosecution."
Flock Safety systems are automated camera networks that capture license plate information and are used by many law enforcement agencies for investigations and to locate stolen vehicles. The department did not describe the specifics of the alleged misuse or provide details about any internal findings.
What surrendering a TCOLE license means
The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement oversees licensing and professional standards for officers across the state. Department officials did not say whether the surrender is permanent or whether TCOLE will take any separate administrative action. Experts have described TCOLE as the agency that handles law enforcement licensing and standards in Texas.
- Who: Former Sgt. Michael Palitz (identified in prior reporting)
- Action taken: Surrendered TCOLE peace officer license
- Result: Internal matter closed; no criminal charges filed
The department's limited public statement offered no timeline for the investigation's opening or closing, and it did not release the agreement terms beyond noting the license surrender. The absence of criminal charges means there will be no publicly filed court records tied to the investigation.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Officer | Former Sgt. Michael Palitz (resigned) |
| Allegation | Improper use of Flock Safety license plate reader system (alleged) |
| Outcome | Surrendered TCOLE license; no criminal prosecution |
Members of the public seeking more detail were advised to contact the Pasadena Police Department for records that are public under state law. The department's refusal to comment further reflects its characterization of the case as concluded, and it did not indicate whether any policy changes or additional training would follow the incident.
For Pasadena residents, the case raises questions about oversight and controls for technology used by police departments. License-plate reader systems can collect large volumes of location and movement data, and their use has prompted scrutiny in other jurisdictions about privacy, access and supervision.
Local leaders and residents may look to the city and the police department for clarity on how the department manages such systems going forward and what safeguards are in place to prevent potential misuse.
