1977-0040
RESOLUTION NO. 77-4
WHEREAS, Law Enforcement Officers throughout the State of Texas,
recognizing the need to improve the level of performance of
local law enforement through training, education and minimum
moral, emntal and physical standards, sought and obtained legis-
lation in 1965, creating the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
Officer Standards and Education; And,
WHEREAS, since its creation, the Law Enforcement Commission
has steadfastly pursued the aims of its creators and through
its efforts 45 police academies have been created and certi-
fied; law enforcement instructors have been trained and cer-
tified and have taught thousands of Texas Law Enforcement
officers in such academies; law enforcement degree programs
have been established in 44 junior colleges and 32 universities,
teaching a total of 13,996 students in the last semester alone;
management training for police administrators has been provided;
records management systems for local law enforcement agencies
have been developed; validated entry examinations have been
developed and implemented for police applicants; and through
all these efforts the average educational level of more than
1 30,000 law enforcement officers in the State of Texas has in-
creased significantly; And,
WHEREAS, all of these achievements by the Commission have been
accomplished without a charge by the Commission to the officer
or the community in which the law enforcement department is
located; And,
WHEREAS, the Commission has previously relied primarily on
federal grants from the Governor's Criminal Justice Division
for its funding, with the State furnishing only 18% of the
total budget from state general revenue funds; And,
WHEREAS, the Criminal Justice Council has passed a written
resolution declaring that under its policies it can no longer
fund the activities of the Commission after September 1, 1977,
and that such funding should be secured from State general
funds; And,
WHEREAS, the Legislative Budget Board has voted to recommend
to the legislature that the Texas Commission on Law Enforce-
ment Officer Standards and Education be merged with the Board
of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies, and
has not only failed to recommend adequate funding for the Com-
mission, but has recommended reducing by 29% the State's current
fudning of the Commission out of general revenue funds; And,
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement Officer Standrads and Education remain an independent
public service agency dedicated solely to the service of law en-
forcement, and not be joined with a private industry agency
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governing activities operated for private profit; and that
adequate funding from State general revenue funds be pro-
vided to ensure the continued activities of the Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS,
1. That the Legislative Budget Board reconsider its position
and action in voting to merge the Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement Officer Standards and Education with the Board
of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies; or
upon failure of the Legislative Budget Board to reverse its
decisions that the legislature vote against such merger.
2. That the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Stand-
ards and Education remain an independent agency dedicated
solely to the service of law enforcement officers and de-
partments throughout the State.
3. That the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer
Standards and Education be funded entirely from state
general revenue funds. Funds can be assured for these
purposes without additional taxes by voting for a bill
adding a sufficient amount to the court costs assessed
law violators who necessitate the establishment and main-
tenance of the criminal justice system.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded
to the Governor, to each member of the Legislative Budget Board and each
State Representative and State Senator, in order that they may have made
known to them the extreme gravity and public concern which we hold for the
matters expressed in this resolution.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 18th day of January, -1977.
Mayor
ATTEST:
CitySecretary
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