Pasadena Police Lieutenants Filed Lawsuit Over Appointment
Five officers challenged the eligibility of an assistant chief in a civil suit filed in September 2026.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Five Pasadena Police Department lieutenants filed a civil lawsuit in late September 2026 against Interim Police Chief Raul Granados. The legal action alleges that Assistant Chief James Holt was improperly hired in violation of Texas state law.
Why it matters
The plaintiffs claim that the hiring of James Holt failed to meet the Texas Local Government Code, which requires candidates to have two years of continuous service as an active peace officer. The suit contends that Holt’s time in the mayor's office interrupted his required service period.
Five lieutenants have initiated a civil lawsuit against Interim Chief Raul Granados. The filing, which demands a ruling on Holt's current authority, remains active in the court system.
The players
Raul Granados
He is the Interim Police Chief of the Pasadena Police Department who assumed the role in late August 2026.
James Holt
He is an assistant chief who previously served as the chief of staff for the mayor before returning to the police department.
Thomas Schoenbein
He is the Mayor of Pasadena who employed James Holt as his chief of staff.
Emmanuel Guerrero
He is a Pasadena Councilman who has publicly requested the resignations of the department's leadership.
The details
The lawsuit alleges that James Holt did not meet the mandatory two years of continuous service as an active sworn officer before his appointment. Three of the five plaintiffs interviewed for the assistant chief position before the department rehired Holt in April 2026.
Timeline
James Holt began working in the mayor's office in 2025.
The Pasadena Police Department rehired James Holt in April 2026.
Raul Granados became interim police chief in late August 2026.
Five lieutenants filed the civil lawsuit in late September 2026.
Legal Context
This case centers on compliance with the Texas Local Government Code, which mandates specific tenure and active-duty requirements for municipal leadership roles. The dispute mirrors broader tensions regarding political appointments within city departments versus career-track promotions.
The ongoing legal dispute raises questions about department authority and leadership structure for Pasadena residents. Public discourse has already expanded to the City Council, where calls for resignation have created political uncertainty for local safety administration.
The takeaway
The lawsuit underscores the strict legal requirements governing municipal police leadership and the professional qualifications mandated by state law. Citizens should monitor local council meetings for further developments regarding department authority and administrative personnel changes.
Further reading
For more information on departmental oversight, visit the Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by abc13 News.
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