Dallas County Constables Face Criticism for Perceived Inaction During Kidnapping

Dallas County's Constable Association defended the actions, or in some opinions, the inaction, of two deputy constables who did not pursue an alleged kidnapper who police say eventually murdered his two children.

Police said the suspect, Naim Muhammad, abducted his wife and two young sons while they walked to school. His wife managed to break free and alerted the two constables, authorities said. They followed protocol and radioed Dallas police, but watched the kidnapping unfold.

Police say Muhammad later drowned his two sons. He was later arrested by police.

Deputy Constable Rene Christian, the president of the Dallas County Constable Association, told MyFoxDFW.com that the two "did exactly what they were supposed to do.”

“There were no lights or sirens in that car and that precinct had a no-chase policy, period,” Christian said. She cited a state law that says: no lights, no chase, and said the deputies would have been in trouble if they disregarded the policy.

Nonetheless, some critics say the deputies could have been more proactive.

Kevin Clancy, a lawyer who has defended officers in court, told the station that any citizen could have given chase. He pointed out a law that allows law enforcement to get involved when a child is in danger.

If they could have gotten behind it and gotten a number and told police where they were they may have been able to save these children.”

“I don’t think any jury would let them get fired over that situation,” Clancy said.

WFAA.com reported that four of the county's five constables submitted a new proposal to county commissioners to change the "no chase" policy next year.