How are Texas school police officers trained and supervised?

The weekly “Answer Key” is designed to help families by answering important questions about education and schools in Greater Houston. If you have any questions, please email us at education@houstonlanding.org or fill out the form at the end of this article.

This week’s question:

There are more police in Texas schools than ever before. How are they trained and supervised?

As campus safety remains a top priority for many students and families, the presence of campus police officers has become increasingly visible.

Under a state law passed in 2023, all Texas school campuses will be required to have at least one armed police officer on campus during regular school hours, but school leaders will be required to have new security staff. given time to hire.

With the addition of police officers on campuses, many questions remain about who patrols schools, how they are trained, and who is responsible for them. Here’s what you need to know about them.

Are school police officers similar to law enforcement officers who patrol cities, counties, and other local governments?

In most cases, yes. Nearly all of Greater Houston’s largest school districts have their own police departments that oversee campus safety. The school district’s board of trustees must approve the establishment of a police department and apply for approval from the Texas Law Enforcement Commission, which regulates police departments and officers throughout the state.

Personnel working in these departments must receive the same training and certification through the Texas Law Enforcement Commission as non-school personnel.

Some school districts, such as Clear Creek and Pearland ISD, contract with local law enforcement agencies to send officers to schools.

How are school district police officers trained and certified?

To become a school police officer, applicants must meet several minimum standards, including being a U.S. citizen, having a high school diploma or GED, passing a physical exam, and passing a psychological exam. must be met.

From there, officers undergo at least 736 hours of basic training, which typically takes several months to complete. The courses cover many different parts of being a police officer, from standards of professionalism to constitutional rights to arrests.

Campus police officers also must complete active shooter response training. The two-day training will include topics such as child development and psychology, de-escalation techniques, and the mental and behavioral health needs of children with disabilities and special needs.

School officers must also complete a licensure course and pass a national exam.

Are police officers the only ones allowed to carry guns on campus?

No, school districts can also hire school security officers, who are unqualified security personnel assigned to protect campuses.

School security officers must undergo 80 hours of training that includes campus security, use of force, responding to active shooters, and the proper use of firearms. They will also be required to obtain a firearms license, undergo a psychological examination, and complete a 16-hour refresher course every two years.

School administrators can only act based on rules established by the school board.

What can school officials do on campus?

School police officers can arrest people, make traffic stops, and otherwise enforce the law.

The area’s largest school districts, which include Houston, Aldine and Pasadena ISDs, typically report about 100 to 300 arrests a year. Most of those arrested are juveniles, and the most common offense leading to arrest is simple assault. People arrested by campus police are prosecuted through the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

Under state law, police officers cannot be assigned to take disciplinary action against students, such as suspending students, or be held responsible for anything other than law enforcement.

Who holds school officials accountable?

In school districts with their own police departments, local school boards and school district administrators supervise police officers. They are responsible for hiring, disciplining, and firing officers.

In cases of serious misconduct, school officials may be referred to the Texas Law Enforcement Commission for revocation of their officer licenses. Local and federal prosecutors can also bring criminal charges against school officials.

In districts that contract with nearby law enforcement agencies to station police officers on campus, the police department manages the officers. However, school districts can set rules and requirements for officers in contracts with local law enforcement agencies.

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