Fort Bend County's first black district attorney pledges to unite community

To see Brian Middleton is to see "history" walking.

Come January 1, he will be sworn in as Fort Bend County's district attorney, the first African American elected to the post in the jurisdiction's 180 years of existence.

The significance is hardly lost on the veteran prosecutor and father of three who seeks to mend tattered faith in both the system and those who wear the badge.

"That will be a major a focus of what I try to do with this office, which will be to ease those tensions and reestablish trust and build bonds between law enforcement and the community," said Middleton.

And Middleton says that means fully prosecuting peace officers when they cross the line.

"I will establish a civil rights division which will not only protect the citizens from hate crimes, but will also make sure that there is no abuse of civil rights and that officers that do violate people's civil rights will be held accountable," said Middleton.

In a community well north of a half million people, Middleton pledges to reach out to each cultural enclave while re-focusing prosecutorial emphasis on violent criminals and child predators.

"I intend to be a role model for the youth and unite this community. It's a huge responsibility, but im prepared for it. I think everything I've done in my career and my life has prepared me for this moment."

A Democrat, Middleton says he does not believe those caught with a small amount of marijuana should face time. He's pledged a "diversion program" for first time offenders similar to that currently in place in Harris County.