El Paso Police Chief’s Cruel Delusion: Boasting Tiny Drones Could Prevent October 7 — A Call for Immediate Removal

Recent statements made by El Paso Police Department Chief Peter Pacillas during a training cycle have drawn sharp criticism from within the ranks. In these remarks, the Chief attempted to portray the department as internationally renowned and admired for its drone capabilities. He claimed that officials from Israel and Poland are in awe of what the EPPD’s “little drones” can achieve.

One lieutenant from the department expressed disbelief at the Chief’s assertions, stating, “He really thinks Israel is praising EPPD. Israel and Poland are in awe, according to the Chief, of what our little drones can do.” An officer from Northeast El Paso recounted a particularly bold claim: “He [the Chief] had the balls to say that the State of Israel has said that if they had the drone technology that we have here, the October 7th attacks never would have happened.” Another officer from West El Paso added, “The Chief also said that Israel, and I think he tossed Poland in on this one as well, wants to learn from us how to keep their border secure, because we are doing such a good job. How are we keeping the border safe and secure? Operation Stone Garden? If that’s his idea, he wrong. We don’t do any kind of Federal enforcement.”

These stories are not harmless boasts; they are fabrications that damage the credibility of the El Paso Police Department. By spreading unfounded tales of international acclaim — especially tied to a tragedy like the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people, took roughly 250 hostages, and involved widespread atrocities — the Chief undermines trust among officers. Such misinformation erodes morale, as personnel recognize the disconnect between reality and these exaggerated claims. It also harms recruitment efforts, as potential applicants may question the integrity and competence of leadership when the department’s head promotes demonstrably false narratives. For the citizens of El Paso, these falsehoods foster skepticism toward the police, weakening community confidence in an institution meant to serve and protect them honestly.

The stark contrast is evident when comparing the EPPD’s commercially available drones, such as those from DJI commonly used by U.S. police departments, to the sophisticated, combat-proven unmanned aerial systems operated by the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF employs advanced platforms like the Elbit Hermes 450 and 900, IAI Heron series, loitering munitions such as the Skystriker, and specialized tactical drones integrated into military operations. An IDF member, Elijah, offered a measured response: “I cannot make much of a comment, but the drones an America police department would not compare, tactically, to the equipment we utilize.” To suggest that the EPPD’s setup could have prevented the October 7 attacks — or that foreign militaries seek to emulate it — reveals either profound ignorance of drone technology or willful exaggeration.

When seeking comment from the Israeli Embassy to the United States, it was stated that there was no information to back up Pacillas’ claims.

Additionally, Moshie Peretz, with Mišteret Yisra’el, said, “It is bold, the making of such claims, when such statements can be verified. No such statements were made to him [Pacillas], or the Police Department there.”

“We are fighting on many fronts,” says Moshie Ben David. “To believe that what one utilizes in the United States would be stronger that the Iron Dome, or better than military grade drones, this is laughable. I feel quite sorry for the people this Chief of Police serves.”

The personal toll of such reckless storytelling is profound. As one individual noted, “On October 7, 2023, two members of my family were ruthlessly murder by the cowards in Hamas, and the Chief of Police believes that the laughable drone program the El Paso Police Department has would have prevented the attacks.” This trivialization of unimaginable loss through baseless self-aggrandizement is indefensible.

The time has come to condemn these actions unequivocally. Chief Peter Pacillas’s persistent dissemination of fake stories — claiming miraculous praise from Israel and Poland, or implying that modest local drones could avert atrocities on the scale of October 7 — represents a profound failure of leadership that disrespects victims, misleads officers, alienates the public, and jeopardizes the department’s integrity. While he and his allies may blame critical voices for endangering officers, the real danger stems from a chief who fabricates reality instead of confronting it. As former officer Slade Davis wrote in his parting email to the department, “Instead ‘BE’ the one that people can depend on. If every one could just be that, then we could have a team, a group, a shift, a station, even a department that everyone would know is dependable.” Officers largely trust only each other, not command. New leadership on the Second Floor is essential to restore honesty, rebuild morale, support recruitment, and ensure the citizens of El Paso can rely on a police chief who speaks truth rather than fantasy. Chief Pacillas should be removed immediately to allow the department — and the community — to move forward with the dependable leadership it deserves.

What follows are the notes taken by one officer during that training cycle, and thier thoughts:

During the recent Cycle 1 training session — titled with the solemn oath of “The Truth the whole truth, and nothing but the Truth, so help me god” — Chief Peter Pacillas delivered a series of remarks that left many officers frustrated and disillusioned.

On the longstanding issue of uniforms, officers have repeatedly requested more comfortable, tactical options suited to everyday patrol work. The current attire is widely criticized as uncomfortable, often described as “itchy,” poorly suited to varying weather conditions, prone to fading and tearing, and overly restrictive in movement. This lack of flexibility poses real risks to officer safety and well-being, particularly during foot pursuits or encounters with combative individuals, where restricted mobility can lead to injuries.

The Chief’s justification for retaining the existing uniforms hinged on a single anecdote from a Dallas football game. There, officers in EPPD gear were recognized by one individual who identified them as being from El Paso. Based on that isolated recognition, the Chief has refused to consider changes, effectively dismissing the repeated concerns of the department’s frontline personnel — the very backbone of the agency — who continue to endure ill-fitting, scratchy uniforms. He declared: “We are recognized not just domestically, but internationally of who we are and what city we are from by our uniform, that patch symbolizes a legacy as do our uniforms therefore, we will keep the legacy of EPPD.”

This stance raises obvious questions: If the patch represents the legacy, why couldn’t it be affixed to a more practical uniform? Specialized units such as TAC, Gangs, and others already wear different attire without compromising identity — does that make them exempt from the discomfort imposed on everyone else? Adding to the confusion, the Chief announced that starting February 1, 2026, uniforms would become “uniformed,” a vague and contradictory directive amid his otherwise unclear explanations.

The Chief went on to proclaim EPPD as one of the nation’s premier law enforcement agencies, surpassing even NYPD or LAPD. He boasted of having the best drone program, the top department to work for, and superior benefits — including the pension system. Yet this lofty praise stands in stark contrast to the reality of officers (and even some lieutenants) relying heavily on overtime from off-duty assignments like TXDOT and Stone Garden to make ends meet.

Regarding city leadership, he praised City Manager Dione Mack as one of the best the city has seen, highlighting her strong support for the EPPD and describing the department as fortunate to have her guidance.

On recruitment, the Chief emphasized moving away from traditional methods like billboards, TV, or radio ads, calling them outdated. Instead, he favors social media as the primary platform, urging officers to contribute content that portrays EPPD as a community-oriented force. He stressed the value of personal recommendations from frontline officers, suggested distributing business cards with QR codes, and noted that PIO Robert Gomez would now review and approve photos or videos submitted by officers for posting on the EPPD Facebook page to boost visibility and potential recruitment leads. However, Gomez lacks any formal training or credentials in recruitment, marketing, advertising, journalism, or related fields, often adapting ideas directly from other agencies without original input. He has openly appealed for officers’ help in filling academy classes, underscoring the struggle to attract new hires — despite the Chief’s repeated claims of national and international acclaim for the department.

Addressing officers considering lateral moves to agencies like ICE, the Chief was blunt: “we as a department are not lifeboats” for those wishing to leave. He warned that anyone departing for federal service would not be welcomed back and would need to restart the full recruitment process, adding: “Think wisely about leaving this Department.” This came amid broader concerns about corruption, favoritism, bias, sexual harassment, exploitation, gross negligence, unfair treatment, and abuse of power that have driven many to seek opportunities elsewhere.

When officers raised legitimate worries about being assigned to jail transport (“babysitting” prisoners) and PPO duties — tasks that pull manpower from patrol and leave calls understaffed — the Chief deflected by redirecting the question to recruitment efforts, sidestepping the core issue of insufficient personnel.

Questions about pay and compensation were similarly evaded. Evidence shows other departments offer better salaries, pensions, and packages, but the Chief shifted focus to pay steps outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), claiming he has no direct control over incentives for recruits or retention.

Overall, the session amounted to a lengthy, bombastic presentation heavy on self-promotion and light on substance. The Chief veered into familiar tangents, reiterating claims that Israeli and Polish police forces admire EPPD’s approach to border security and its status as the safest city in the U.S. — assertions widely regarded as unfounded fabrications, likely amplified by close ties to the current City Manager.

Most troubling was the silence from other command staff present. No one interrupted or challenged the Chief’s increasingly outlandish statements, including the recycled notion that EPPD’s drone capabilities drew praise from Israel in connection to the October 7 attacks. This lack of pushback underscores a culture of unquestioning agreement rather than honest dialogue.

The Chief’s pattern of grandiose, unverifiable claims suggests a profound disconnect from reality, one that assumes frontline officers will accept such narratives without scrutiny. After more than 40 years in the department, this level of detachment is alarming and raises serious questions about judgment and leadership. The city has already witnessed troubling incidents under this command, including an assistant chief discharging a firearm in her office in a manner that endangered others.

In the end, patrol officers are left to rely primarily on one another, navigating daily challenges with limited support from above. They deserve far better — transparent, grounded leadership that prioritizes their safety, well-being, and professional needs over empty rhetoric.