Test

For the Record

Rumor Control


Police Chief Manuel Borrego

"We are aware of a conversation on social media about the arrest of a person by this department last August. I want to address that conversation directly. 

The arrest of Ms. Lang and her subsequent treatment is shocking to see, and when the Texas Rangers complete their criminal investigation, and we are allowed to release the video, I know people will be as angry as we are by what they witness.

The conduct shown in this video represents a failure of our department to meet the standards we owe the public. Two officers were involved, and that requires us to take responsibility as an institution. 

On behalf of all those who serve the Wichita Falls Police Department with pride and integrity, I am sorry for what Ms. Lang experienced.

We immediately initiated an internal affairs investigation on August 26. Both officers were suspended, and Mr. Wilson was terminated from employment in November. 

Following the completion of our initial administrative review, the full investigative file, including: body-worn camera footage, interviews, and supporting documentation was referred to the Texas Rangers for independent criminal investigation. That investigation is ongoing, and at the request of the Texas Rangers, we are limited by what we can say and release.

While that investigation is ongoing, the department has continued its own administrative and policy review. We are actively taking the following steps to exceed both the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and our existing standards:

  • Expanding training focused on appropriate responses to individuals experiencing mental health crises, building on existing efforts to establish a crisis intervention team
  • Enhance de-escalation training
  • Strengthening arrest and control techniques instruction
  • Reexamining constitutional law instruction and arrest-criteria guidance
  • Reinforcing the distinction between authority to arrest and necessity to arrest

These steps are being implemented deliberately and with oversight. We are also exploring additional accountability measures. 

Our responsibility is to face what occurred honestly, hold ourselves accountable as an organization, and ensure that our policies, training, and supervision reflect the full scope of this incident. Public trust depends on this."