Questions arise over why fired HPD officer wasn't criminally charged

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- As a fired Houston police officer fights for his job back, there is growing controversy on why he wasn't criminally charged.

You may remember that former detective Ryan Chandler was part of a massive internal affairs investigation into HPD's homicide division earlier this year. Even though police Chief Charles McClleland at that time called him a liar, he was never charged with a crime.

Thursday, district attorney candidate Kim Ogg put the blame of Chandler not facing charges squarely at the feet of current District Attorney Devon Anderson. Ogg produced more than 100 pages of documents. They include email exchanges between Chandler and his now-wife, a prosecutor in the office. Ogg says Anderson should have immediately appointed a special prosecutor.

"She could have easily asked the judge, whoever that is, to appoint a local attorney. There are hundreds of local attorneys who do that part time," said Odd.

Anderson released a statement saying they did everything by the book.

"HPD and this office worked to uncover Sergeant Chandler's wrongdoing, sought the appointment of a special prosecutor, and notified HPD Chief McClelland of our office's recusal," read a portion of the statement.

In the meantime, because he wasn't charged with a crime, Officer Chandler is currently in arbitration and trying to get his job back. That hearing continues in two weeks.

DA Devon Anderson's full statement: