GISD forms own police force

The Gatesville Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to create a district police department, with an expected start date of Aug. 1, and is working with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to finalize plans.

Previously, GISD had partnered with the city of Gatesville to provide police officers – known as school resource officers (SROs) – to help provide security at each school campus.

The board had voted in February to allow Superintendent Barrett Pollard to look at options for creating the district's own police force.

"Since that time, we have been working diligently on preparing for the nine-step process (TCOLE) requires to create a school district police department," Pollard said.

The nine items which TCOLE reviews include:

* A needs assessment

* Cost to create the department

* Physical resources for officers

* Facilities for officers

* Law enforcement policies

* Administrative structure of the department

* Liability insurance for officers

* A school board resolution authorizing the department

* Minutes from the meeting in which the department was authorized

Pollard said the city had budgeted a cost of $303,848 for SROs for the 2022-23 school year.

"Even with all of the startup costs, the district was able to get right under that cost with an expense of $303,290," Pollard said.

The district has selected Gary Stiles to be the GISD police chief. Stiles, a sergeant with the Gatesville Police Department, has more than 30 years’ experience in law enforcement, including serving as an investigator with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The district has had five SROs – one for each campus, and the proposed GISD police force also listed five prospective officers. The annual salary for Stiles was listed at $58,000, with salaries ranging from $48,800 to $53,984 per year for the other officers.

Information regarding overtime pay included in the school board packet noted, "We are paying our SROs for 40 hours of service. By working their normal sporting events, prom and graduation after hours, they can earn comp time to only work 37 weeks. This helps the district avoid overtime costs and allows the SROs to get the same salary they would have received at GPD but 15 weeks off."

Equipment costs for the district will also include uniforms, badges, ammunition, tasers, three bulletproof vests, two gun safes and five body cameras.

The information included in the board packet stated "each officer already owns (a) gun and gun belt. Plus, they all should have a school-issued radio and laptop in an office with a desk and chair."

As for vehicles for the department, "we will look at existing fleet vehicles to possibly transform a truck or sedan into a police vehicle or purchase from (the Coryell County Sheriff's Office)."

Pollard said the impetus for creating the department "is not huge cost savings – you get control, and you don't have officers distracted by working for two departments."

A GISD police headquarters is being constructed in the high school which includes an evidence room.

"I think it's a great opportunity," Pollard said. "I wasn't sold on that at first. The Gatesville Police Department has done a great job working with the district."

In a needs assessment letter written by Pollard to TCOLE, the superintendent pointed out several reasons for the district to create its own police force.

“Despite a positive relationship with the Gatesville Police Department, a stand-alone GISD Police Department has several advantages. First, our SROs are often caught between conflicting directives, schedules and goals of the two entities they serve. These issues range from small items regarding comp time to larger issues involving philosophies on how aggressively to pursue certain crimes.

“Second, Gatesville Police Department continues to have trouble with staffing. GISD fears that its SROs will be pulled off campuses even more than normal to support GPD leaving our students vulnerable to violence. In addition, the district has a growing number of extracurricular events for the SROs to attend.

“Third, GISD wants to have sole authority over its SROs. Despite paying 80% of their salaries, the SROs are technically employees of the city of Gatesville. It is difficult for any employee to serve multiple supervisors.

“Fourth, we want a more expedited pathway to the district attorney’s office without further bureaucratic impediments. Currently, activity engaged in by minors which occurs in the city is ultimately delegated to SROs even if the crime did not occur on school premises.

“Finally and most importantly, GISD wants to ensure that criminal activity committed by minors is aggressively pursued and prosecuted to completion.

“For all these reasons, GISD believes that a school district police department will be an even better option for the children of our community.”

School board member Calvin Ford voiced his support for GISD having its own police department.

"I think this is better," he said. "The GISD police will answer to the superintendent and not the city chief. I love it."

In a resolution creating the department, it was noted that "the board of trustees at Gatesville ISD finds that local manpower is limited, and a school purpose as well as a public purpose would be served by providing additional security at Gatesville ISD campuses."

It was also noted "that a Gatesville ISD peace officer may provide assistance to another law enforcement agency."

A letter from Pollard to Gatesville City Manager Bill Parry dated June 21 informs the city of the school district's intent.

"On behalf of the GISD school board, we want to thank you for entering into the SRO agreement so many years ago. The SRO program has been an incredible success with each SRO becoming an integral part of their respective campuses. With deadly school shootings becoming even more prevalent in the state, the protection and security offered by our SROs is invaluable.

"Despite a very positive working relationship with the city and Gatesville Police Department, the GISD board of trustees voted last night (June 20) to create a stand-alone GISD Police Department. Having our own department offers many advantages to the school district. During our visit on April 29 and again in an email from May 11, I have communicated that the district has been on the trajectory of creating its own police department.

"Under the current SRO agreement, the board of trustees retains the continuing right to terminate the contract at the expiration of each budget period during the term of the contract. Thus, we wanted to give you advanced written notice that August 1 would be an ideal time to terminate the contract. If you have any issues with this, please let me know. This would allow GPD to continue to have the SROs during the summer months. August 1 would offer an ideal time to separate before another budget year begins."