FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - The Texas liquor board will change the
way it investigates allegations of excessive force by agents.
     
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will hire more internal
affairs investigators to review the allegations -- instead of
having supervisors of the agents do it.
     
A June raid at a Fort Worth gay bar -- the Rainbow Lounge --
left a customer with head wounds.
     
Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead today said police, who assisted in
the raid, also will change policies on bar checks and public
intoxication arrests.
     
The TABC and Fort Worth police determined their staffs did not
use excessive force.
     
But TABC said agents Chris Aller and trainee Jason Chapman
violated several policies. Both have been fired, along with their
supervisor.
     
Police ordered unpaid suspensions for three officers who
violated policies.
     
Rainbow Lounge manager Randy Norman says he's outraged at only a
few days of suspensions for the Fort Worth officers.
        
     
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
     
AP-NY-11-05-09 1321EST