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Texas Occupations Code - OCC § 1701.163. Minimum Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) The commission, with input from an advisory committee, shall by rule establish minimum standards with respect to the creation or continued operation of a law enforcement agency based on the function, size, and jurisdiction of the agency, including:

(1) a determination regarding the public benefit of creating the agency in the community;

(2) the sustainable funding sources for the agency;

(3) the physical resources available to officers, including:

(A) all standard duty firearms;

(B) less lethal force weapons, including a requirement of at least one per officer on duty;

(C) effective communications equipment;

(D) protective equipment, including a requirement of:

(i) at least one bullet-resistant vest per officer on duty;  and

(ii) access to at least one breaching tool and one ballistic shield;

(E) officer uniforms;  and

(F) patrol vehicles and associated equipment;

(4) the physical facilities of the agency, including any evidence room, dispatch area, or public area;

(5) the policies of the agency, including policies on:

(A) use of force;

(B) vehicle pursuit;

(C) professional conduct of officers;

(D) domestic abuse protocols;

(E) response to missing persons;

(F) supervision of part-time officers;

(G) impartial policing;

(H) active shooters, including a detailed written policy based on current best practices for responding to an active shooter incident at a primary or secondary school facility and a recommendation for the frequency at which simulated emergency drills should be conducted;  and

(I) barricaded subjects;

(6) the administrative structure of the agency;

(7) liability insurance;  and

(8) any other standard the commission considers necessary.

(b) A law enforcement agency may enter into a mutual aid agreement with a law enforcement agency with overlapping or adjacent jurisdiction to share protective equipment during a critical incident, as defined by Section 391.0041, Local Government Code, to meet the requirements under Subsection (a)(3)(D).

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Texas Occupations Code - OCC § 1701.163. Minimum Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/occupations-code/occ-sect-1701-163/

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