Res 1936 3/1/1977RESOLUTION NO. /9,3
RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE PROPOSED MERGER OF THE
TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
STANDARDS AND EDUCATION AND THE STATE BOARD OF
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS AND PRIVATE SECURITY A-
GENCIES.
WHEREAS , Law Enforcement Officers throughout the State
of Texas, recognizing the need to improve the level of per-
formance of local law enforcement through training, education
and minimum moral, mental and physical standards, sought
and obtained legislation in 1965 , creating the Texas Commis-
sion 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 certified;
law enforcement instructors have been trained and certified 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; manage-
ment 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
30, 000 law enforcement officers in the State of Texas has
increased significantly; and,
WHEREAS, all of these achievements by the Law Enforcement
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 revenue
funds; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislative Budget Board has voted to
recommend to the state legislature that the Texas Commission
on Law Enforcement 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 Commission, but has recommended reducing by 29% the
State' s current funding of the Commission out of general
revenue funds; and,
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the Texas Commission on
Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education remain an
independent public service agency dedicated solely to the
service of law enforcement, and not be joined with a private
industry agency governing activities operated for private
profit; and that adequate funding from State general revenue
funds be provided to ensure the continued activities of the
Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
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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 deci-
sions that the legislature vote against such merger.
2. That the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer
Standards and Education remain an independent agency
dedicated solely to the service of law enforcement
officers and departments 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 maintenance 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 the 1st day of March, 1977.
7(2-Mayor C. Boyd Jr.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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