Five Pasadena lieutenants challenge assistant chief’s appointment

Five active Pasadena police lieutenants have sued over whether James Holt’s appointment as assistant chief complied with Texas law, arguing that he may not have met requirements for sworn-officer employment and continuous service. No ruling had been reported as of October 11, 2026.

The suit was reported as filed in late September and names Interim Chief Raul Granados, who now leads the department. Former Chief M.P. Jackson made the appointment on April 13, 2026, before Granados took over. The case asks a court to determine whether the appointment met the law’s requirements; the allegation remains unresolved.

The law and the disputed service requirement

Texas Local Government Code §143.014(d) sets conditions for appointing someone to the police department classification immediately below the department head. The person must be employed by the municipal police department as a sworn police officer, have at least two years of continuous service there as a sworn officer, and meet the requirements for appointment as department head under a separate section of the code.

The lieutenants’ reported challenge focuses on the sworn-employment and continuous-service requirements. KPRC reported that department records cited in the petition list Holt’s departure from the department as a resignation on July 7, 2025. That recorded date predates his appointment, but it is not a court finding about his eligibility. Holt had served as Mayor Thomas Schoenbein’s chief of staff immediately before his appointment, according to KPRC and ABC13.

What the suit seeks

The lieutenants are asking the court to limit Holt’s authority over certain department members and to require future hires to comply with the code. The suit does not ask for Holt to be fired, Granados to be removed, or damages to be awarded. No court-ordered change to Holt’s role has been reported; the city’s police directory lists him as an assistant chief.

The case names Granados because he currently leads the department, reporting says, not because he made the challenged appointment. The petition and sworn declarations were filed with the Harris County District Clerk, KPRC reported.

On October 8, Schoenbein voiced support for Granados and the assistant chiefs, saying personnel concerns should be handled through established processes. The lieutenants’ attorney said the suit concerns legal compliance, not the leadership’s integrity or capability. The police department said it was confident the appointment could withstand the challenge. Council members Carlos Heredia and Emmanuel Guerrero have also criticized police leadership; Guerrero called for changes involving Holt and Granados.