In the late 1970s, six Mexican American Houston police officers helped change the way the Houston Police Department investigated homicides, building trust in communities where residents had long been reluctant to speak with law enforcement.
Known as the Chicano Squad, the officers worked during a period when racial tensions and Houston’s murder rate were high. Their story is now being chronicled in a two-part A&E series, bringing a significant chapter of Houston history to a national audience.
The squad was initially formed as a temporary assignment, but its work and impact eventually helped establish it as a permanent unit.
One of the original members, José Selvera Jr., was suddenly assigned five homicide cases. One involved two women who had witnessed the crime but said police had never spoken with them.
The officers faced skepticism within HPD, with some questioning why the unit existed and whether its members were qualified for the work.
They also encountered mistrust in the neighborhoods they served. Some families were concerned that speaking with the officers could bring immigration authorities to their doors rather than help solve crimes.
But the officers’ ability to connect with residents began to change those perceptions.
“It made them feel at home,” Selvera said. “They feel like we’re out there reaching out and trying to help them, and they opened up to us.”
That trust helped the Chicano Squad develop relationships with residents in communities where people had remained silent for years, giving investigators access to information that could help solve homicide cases.
The squad’s legacy continues decades later. One of HPD’s current assistant chiefs has described himself as the “fruits of their labor,” recognizing the impact of the officers who helped pave the way for future generations of Hispanic law enforcement leaders.
The two-part A&E series documents the squad’s history, with the son of one of the original members helping bring the officers’ story to a wider audience.
As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, the Chicano Squad’s legacy highlights how representation, community relationships and trust can make a difference in law enforcement and the pursuit of justice.
