By Brian Harrin
Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s Police Department (UPD) earned a prestigious designation Jan. 12 from the Texas Police Chief’s Association.
UPD received the “Recognized Law Enforcement Agency” award from the Texas Police Chief’s Association Law Enforcement Recognition Program, a voluntary process where police agencies prove their compliance with 164 Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices.
From the use of force to vehicle pursuits, UPD met more than 166 best business practices for Texas law enforcement.
A&M-San Antonio is the first school in the Texas A&M System to obtain this recognition from the Texas Police Chief’s Association.
UPD joins the ranks with 126 other agencies throughout Texas. The department will be recognized at the Texas Police Chief’s Association annual conference in March.
Max Westbrook, director of Texas Recognition Program for Texas Police Chiefs Association, remarked that “an additional 38 agencies are in the submission phase.”
UPD Police Chief Ron Davidson said he’s very satisfied his department received recognition for their work.
“UPD is doing more than what is required by state law,” Davidson said.
Currently, UPD staffs approximately 12 personnel, including Davidson, with a fleet including marked and unmarked vehicles.
UPD began the lengthy process in 2014 by preparing proofs of compliance for the best business practices. Trained police chiefs from across Texas conducted an external audit and review on Jan. 5, 2015.
The award stands for a four-year period. In order to keep this status, agencies must submit annual reports and show continuous compliance.
The Texas Police Chief’s Association requires documentation during the fourth year on best practices, following another on-site review.
If the agency doesn’t meet requirements, the committee may remove the “Recognized” status.
UPD’s recognition will be put to the test as the campus expands to include first- and second-year students.
Davidson said that “bike patrols will be prevalent and more officers are to be expected” when underclassmen begin fall term.
With dormitory facilities in the works, Davidson remarked how “dorms can be a potential problem area for campus crime” and “usually the problem is when you have outside people coming to the dorms.”
For more information, follow Texas A&M- San Antonio UPD on Facebook and for further details on the recognition process, head to the Texas Police Chief’s Association Website.
