Dr. Demetrick "Tre" Pennie: Public Safety Advocate
Early
Life and Education
Born
and raised in the historically Black community of Acres Homes in inner-city
Houston, Texas, Demetrick Pennie was brought up by his grandmother, Allene
Pennie. Growing up in a high-crime area shaped his early views on justice and
public safety. A tragic turning point in his life came during his teenage years
when he witnessed the shooting death of his cousin, Jacqueline Smith, just one
day before her wedding. This traumatic incident had a profound impact on him,
instilling a desire to protect others and ultimately leading him toward a
career in law enforcement.
Before
joining the police force, Pennie served honorably in the United States Army
from 1995 to 1999. While serving his country, he also pursued academic
achievement. He earned an Associate Degree in Administration of Justice from
Honolulu Community College in December 1998. After completing his military
service, Pennie joined the Dallas Police Department in 1999, beginning what
would become a distinguished 22-year career in law enforcement.
Pennie
continued his academic journey alongside his law enforcement career. In 2003,
he received a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Midwestern State
University. He later earned a Master’s degree in Counseling from Prairie View
A&M University. Never one to rest on his laurels, Pennie completed a
doctoral degree in Higher Education from Texas Tech University in 2017. His
dissertation, titled “Exploring College Leaders’ Critical Incident Experiences
Pursuant to Improving Campus Safety Policies during the Mass-shooting Era,”
addressed the rising threats of mass shootings and the radicalization of
individuals online, with specific attention to groups like Black Lives Matter.
His work explored the role of college administrators in preventing campus violence
and implementing safety policies in an era plagued by gun violence.
Academic
and Public Service Career
While
serving on the Dallas police force, Pennie also contributed to academia as an
adjunct college professor, teaching criminal justice and public safety courses
at two universities. His academic engagement complemented his real-world
experience, allowing him to provide students with unique insight into law
enforcement practices and policy.
Pennie
also held the position of President for the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation,
where he worked to provide support to families of officers killed in the line
of duty. Following his service in that role, he founded the Texas Fallen
Officer Foundation and later the National Fallen Officer Foundation, expanding
his mission nationally.
Pennie
has authored numerous scholarly articles, journals, and opinion pieces on
topics related to public safety, terrorism, and police-community relations. His
work has been cited in legislative discussions, judicial proceedings, and
academic forums. He has become a go-to expert for policymakers addressing
issues of crime, radicalization, and officer safety.
Law
Enforcement Advocacy and Legal Actions
Demetrick
Pennie’s commitment to public safety led him to take bold legal actions in
defense of law enforcement. In 2016, following the tragic shooting of police
officers during a protest in Dallas, Texas, Pennie filed a federal lawsuit
against Black Lives Matter and other high-profile individuals including Barack
Obama, George Soros, Louis Farrakhan, and Al Sharpton. The case, Pennie v.
Obama et al., alleged that the named parties had incited violence against law
enforcement. While controversial, the lawsuit garnered national media attention
and underscored Pennie’s deep concern over rising anti-police rhetoric.
In
2017, he filed another lawsuit, Pennie v. Twitter, this time targeting major
social media platforms Facebook, Google, and Twitter. The complaint asserted
that these platforms provided material support to terrorists by allowing
radical content to flourish, which contributed to the radicalization of
individuals involved in the Dallas police shooting. While the legal outcomes
did not result in liability for the tech companies, the case highlighted the
growing concern over online radicalization and the role of digital platforms in
shaping extremist views.
Congressional
Testimony and National Recognition
Pennie’s
expertise in law enforcement and public safety earned him invitations to
testify before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and the U.S. Senate Judiciary
Committee. On February 17, 2022, he spoke to the House Judiciary Subcommittee
on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, emphasizing the increasing danger
police officers face due to online incitement and lenient criminal sentencing
practices.
On July
26, 2022, he testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he provided
an in-depth account of the origins and outcomes of the Defund the Police
movement. He detailed the radical agenda of Black Lives Matter, discussed the
damage and destruction caused by the George Floyd protests, and called for
stronger protections for law enforcement officers. According to his testimony,
the protests resulted in over $2 billion in property damage nationwide,
numerous injuries to police officers, and even the takeover of a police
precinct.
Later
that year, Pennie and the National Fallen Officer Foundation filed an amicus
brief in the U.S. Supreme Court case Gonzalez v. Twitter. The case challenged
whether tech companies could be held liable for hosting terrorist content that
may have influenced violent acts. Pennie’s involvement once again positioned
him at the forefront of national discussions about the intersection of public
safety and digital platforms.
Political
Career and Future Aspirations
In
2016, following the Dallas shooting tragedy, Pennie began his foray into political
activism. Motivated by the increasing hostility toward law enforcement and the
lack of political support for police officers, he began raising awareness about
national security threats and the risks facing law enforcement communities.
In
2020, he ran for Congress in Texas’ 30th Congressional District as a
Republican, challenging long-serving Democratic incumbent Congresswoman Eddie
Bernice Johnson. While he was unsuccessful in his bid, the campaign brought his
law enforcement advocacy to a broader audience and deepened his involvement in
national policy discussions.
Undeterred
by his initial defeat, Pennie has continued to stay politically active. In
2023, he filed with the Federal Election Commission to run for Congress
again—this time in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District against Republican
incumbent Keith Self, where he placed third in the Republican primary
race.
Pennie
was later appointed to a state-government position on the Texas Lottery
Commission's Charitable Bingo Commission, where he oversaw regulatory reforms
for the state.
