Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Friday that he has appointed Republican Tarrant County Commissioner Manny Ramirez to serve as the new chair of the Texas Juvenile Justice Board.

This board is tasked with developing and implementing rules and regulations for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Ramirez has been serving on the board since December 2023, with his term expiring in 2027, reported KERA.

The Office of Governor Abbott wrote in a news release about the appointment that Ramirez is the correct person for the job due to his experience as a “Tarrant County Commissioner and a 15-year veteran police officer.”

“He has served in many roles with law enforcement, including as a police officer, detective, sergeant, and on assignments to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Gang Unit. He is the former president of the 1,800 member Fort Worth Police Officers Association and actively involved with the Fort Worth Chamber, The Fort Worth Club, and the Salvation Army of North Texas Advisory Council,” continued the office.

“Additionally, he is a member of the North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Transportation Council and founder of the Northwest Regional Infrastructure Alliance. He has served as a gubernatorial appointee on the board since December 2023 and is a former gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Ramirez received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Tarleton State University and a Master of Business Administration from Texas Christian University.”

Ramirez wrote in a social media post after the appointment that it was an “incredible honor to be appointed,” and he plans to continue the division’s growth and development.

“I am looking forward to continuing the great work with our outstanding board and making TJJD the model for the rest of the nation,” wrote Ramirez in the post. “Public safety will always remain the number one priority. And working together we will provide the support and service that our partner agencies and committed youth deserve.”

The change in chairs could result in the growth of a division that has received massive scrutiny in recent memory, with the U.S. Justice Department of Justice Civil Rights Division releasing a report dated August 1, 2024, that detailed the physical and sexual abuse in the TJJD facilities.

A portion of the report’s Executive Summary reads as follows:

“The negative impact of these violations is mutually exacerbating. Children in TJJD’s
secure facilities are exposed to conditions that cause serious and lasting physical,
mental, and emotional harm. At the same time, they are denied treatment and services
they need to cope with their environment, earn release, return to their communities,
and become productive citizens. This harmful environment undermines any
rehabilitative purpose in their commitment.”

Ramirez said he plans to emphasize the importance of this report and look for ways to create meaningful change within the system, reported KERA.