A new documentary, “The Chicano Squad,” will premiere on A&E in September, chronicling the story of a groundbreaking team of patrol officers who became homicide detectives. Formed in 1979, the squad was comprised of bilingual Mexican American rookies tasked with solving Latin homicide cases in Houston, Texas.
Nicknamed the “Chicano Squad” by local media, the unit was created to address the soaring rate of Latin homicide cases and the widespread police brutality and corruption within the Houston Police Department. Led by officer Jim Montero, the team had just 90 days to solve open Latin murder cases and rebuild trust with the city’s immigrant community.
Facing racism, discrimination, and an inexperienced team, the Chicano Squad successfully cleared 80% of their cases, proving their worth and becoming a permanent and highly decorated division within the Houston Police Department. The documentary features first-hand accounts from original squad members, including Jim Montero, José Selvera, Raymond Gonzales, U.P. Hernández, and Cecil Mosqueda, who recount their revolutionary approach to community policing.
“The Chicano Squad” will air over two nights, providing an in-depth exploration of the unit’s formation and its lasting impact. The documentary is produced by Jupiter Entertainment and Bender Brown Productions, with executive producers including Patrick Reardon, Eric Wetherington, Lawrence Bender, and Kevin Kelly Brown.
“The Chicano Squad” premieres on A&E on Monday, September 2, and Tuesday, September 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. It will also be available on demand and to stream the next day on the A&E app, AETV.com, and TV providers’ VOD platforms. A+E Networks holds the worldwide distribution rights for the documentary.
