December 18, 2025
Subject: Op-Ed Submission – “A Call for Systemic Calibration”
Dear Editor,
Please find attached my Op-Ed submission titled “A Call for Systemic Calibration.” This piece is written as an open letter to Chief Steven Ellis of the Cuero Police Department, reflecting on the June 6 Gonzales Street incident. https://cueroonlinenews.com/cuero-residents-face-intimidation-as-police-wrongly-target-a-minor-in-burglary-investigation/
The intent is not to assign blame to individual officers, but to highlight systemic issues in deployment protocols and propose constructive steps for departmental training and community trust. This commentary will resonate with readers who value transparency, professionalism, and civic accountability.
I would appreciate it if you considered this piece for publication in the Guest Commentary / Op-Ed section of Cuero Online News.
Thank you for your time and for continuing to provide a platform for community voices.
Respectfully,
Frank Colombo
On behalf of the Cuero Community Audit
Reframing the June 6th Gonzales Street incident as a training opportunity, not a personal grievance.
By Frank Colombo, on behalf of the Cuero Community Audit
Chief Steven Ellis, Cuero Police Department,
The June 6, 2025, confrontation on Gonzales Street—documented by Pat Trevino regarding the 2:00 AM confrontation on Gonzales St has served as a catalyst—not for a grievance against individuals, but for a diagnostic audit of our current policing systems. This was not simply an isolated clash between officers and residents. It was a diagnostic moment, exposing systemic gaps in deployment protocols and community trust.
We often attribute outcomes to “personal decisions” made in the field. Yet, the deeper truth lies in the “remote puppetry” of rigid legislation, outdated tactical scripts, and the immense pressure of active investigations. When five patrol cars surround a home based on a “vague description,” we are not witnessing a failure of character, but a systemic deployment failure.
I am formally asking that the Cuero Police Department treat the June 6th incident as a Tabletop Training Exercise. The purpose of this letter is not to blame or shame Officer Cantu, Officer Hernandez, or Officer Kuecker, but to calibrate the department’s response to the following:
Key Areas for Calibration
1. Suspect Description Thresholds
Re-evaluate the minimum requirements for surrounding a private residence when only vague identifiers are available.
2. The Tactical Flashlight Policy
Assess whether blinding of homeowners (who are complying and on their own property) serves a legitimate safety purpose or if it functions purely as an unnecessary intimidation tactic.
3. Constitutional Protections for Minors
Reinforce protocols ensuring minors have parental or guardian presence during late-night questioning.
Why This Matters
Transparency diffuses anger by offering clarity—it absorbs public frustration by providing context. By treating this incident as a Tabletop Training Exercise, the department can protect officers from being unfairly targeted while positioning them as part of a learning organization.
We are not looking for “punishment”. We are looking for professionalism. We are looking for a department that understands that the “line” between serving and controlling is drawn by the quality of the investigation, not the volume of the threat.
Closing
Chief Ellis, you have the opportunity to turn unsolicited community documentation into a Corrective Action Plan. By addressing these procedural gaps publicly, you strengthen both officer safety and community trust.
I look forward to hearing how these insights will be integrated into the next round of departmental training (https://www.tcole.te
Respectfully,
Frank Colombo
On behalf of the Cuero Community Audit
Editor’s Note
While the incident described here occurred in June 2025, we believe it remains important to publish this open letter. Pat Trevino brought the matter before the Cuero City Council shortly after it happened, yet no representative from the City or the Police Department ever reached out to her regarding the incident. At minimum, a phone call acknowledging her concerns and assuring her that the department was reviewing the matter should have been made. The absence of such communication underscores the need for transparency and accountability, which is why this commentary is being shared now.
The name “Frank Colombo” used in this open letter is a pseudonym. While contributors are not required to publish under their legal names, they must provide a valid email or phone number to confirm authorship. This verification process ensures that the person submitting the letter is real and accountable, even if they choose to write under a different name. The concerns raised in this letter are legitimate, and its publication reflects our commitment to giving space for community voices and civic accountability