HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1977-001
RESOLUTION NO. 77-1
WHEREAS, Law Enforcement Officers throughout the State of Texas,
recognizing the need to improve the level of performance of local law enforce-
ment through training, education and minimum moral, mental and physical standards,
sought and obtained legislation 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 certified; law engorcement 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; 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 30,000 law enforcement officers in the State of
Texas has increased 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 revenue funds; and
WHEREAS, the Legislative Budget Board has voted to recommend to the
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 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 CITY COUNCIL OF NORTH
RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, as follows:
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 Investi-
gators and Private Security Agencies; or upon failure of the
Legislative Budget Board to reverse its decisions that the
legislature vote aganist such merger.
2. 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 menber 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and caused the
Great Seal of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, to be affixed this
da~ of January, 1977, A.D.
ATTEST:
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1'4rayor Tom E. New n
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Mayor Pro Tem James F. Cato
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Councilman Denver Mills
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Councilwoman
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