[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6476849,"mediaKeyId","5716561-39f2b8bb3519d3e3f8d5ef47af8320e3","parentId",5716561,"title","Votes at a glance: TCOLE actions on audits, rules, contracts and disciplinary cases (Sept. 10, 2025)","audioSeconds",7234,"startMs",3780000,"endMs",11014000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716561-39f2b8bb3519d3e3f8d5ef47af8320e3&start=3780&end=11014","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716561-39f2b8bb3519d3e3f8d5ef47af8320e3/thumbnail_3780000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6476849/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-TCOLE-actions-on-audits-rules-contracts-and-disciplinary-cases-Sept-10-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476849-d066218419a8f1e751b7cce551d81275/orig.mp4?Expires=1771072088&Signature=QHbR3aMi~GPIc9sBm23sM-5UUGfxXvfFpzWUUY-N9GBGfr0upjBUSOC4IuLIWzoF6fLii90vyCodylY9SDNAPSx4-YQuzfwa8~SDEt3qigE~oIrf0g7k5EYWM5TcZkKMfvEqyVyCjczTRGpi7aEIcJ42uWESkwL~eAtEXunJ-ecY7eeJUVvM-KTld8l2-3fCrEOrkaqgX6ZRbYJlBtIoRa28pfd-TnDYGGZNMc~DTJ8UQu2tIZuxXuXczxMeHj37Zqk~TVZv6iV-g5EnroRWQOg~2OTlZ9dyXs~bZd1X1pQ8Hlkw2COyokkOMTxlq4UAmPAgWrbb7iGklzjzFgC5AA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Commission on Law Enforcement","date","2025-09-04T17:32:08Z","article","The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement took multiple formal actions at its Sept. 10 meeting in Amarillo. This summary lists the motions, the outcomes and key details drawn from the meeting record.

Internal audit
- Action: Approved Weaver & Tidwell’s fiscal year 2025 internal audit report and the fiscal year 2026 internal audit plan.
- Outcome: Approved by commission motion.
- Notes: FY26 plan schedules audits on information controls, information security (staggered approach), budgeting and planning, data management and procurement, and law‑enforcement asset management.

Capital transfer / Confidential statewide employment database
- Action: Approved capital budget transfer to develop a confidential statewide employment database (CSED). Authorized up to $800,000 for the 2026–27 biennium.
- Outcome: Approved by commission motion. To be forwarded to the Governor’s Office and the Legislative Budget Board for required review and approval.
- Vendor: OpenText selected; described as FedRAMP/TexTRAMP certified. OpenText representative said no prior breaches.

Rules (final adoptions)
The commission gave final approval to multiple rule amendments and new rules pushed by staff following workshops and the required public‑notice period. All passed on final readings.
- Rule 2.11.1 — Definitions (added definitions for full‑time peace officer, part‑time peace officer, reserve law enforcement officer). Outcome: Adopted.
- Rule 2.11.29 — Chief administrators’ responsibilities (personnel files and misconduct reporting consistent with model policies). Outcome: Adopted. Staff clarified agencies will not be required to submit personnel files until the secure upload system is ready.
- Rule 2.15.9 — Training coordinator reporting responsibilities (require training coordinators to report student separations from basic licensing courses within 30 days). Outcome: Adopted.
- Rule 2.23.19 — License revocation (mandatory revocation for certain criminal dispositions involving vulnerable persons, abuse of office, cruelty to animals). Outcome: Adopted.
- Rule 2.15.8 — New minimum standards for appointment as a training coordinator over a basic licensing course. Outcome: Adopted.

Disciplinary and licensing actions (selection)
The commission considered and disposed of multiple contested and default matters, including suspensions, revocations, cancellations, agreed administrative penalties and a waiver request.
- Default suspension orders (examples): The commission accepted default suspension orders seeking 10‑year suspensions in multiple DWI cases and other suspensions (record lists 11 default suspension orders; each was approved as recommended). Names included (example list from docket): John Allen Jr.; Jared Ashlock; Deron Coleman; James Getz; Sarah Hodgson; Deditra Jenkins; Sarah LaToulet; Nicholas Razzo; Carolina Torres; among others. Outcomes: 10‑year suspensions where proposed; 90‑day suspensions for training/certification failures in other cases.
- Default revocation: Billy Beavers — convicted or placed on community supervision for assault causing bodily injury (family violence). Outcome: Revocation approved (default revocation order accepted).
- Cancellation defaults: Multiple applicants or licensees with pre‑licensure convictions or equivalent out‑of‑state offenses whose petitions were not answered had licenses cancelled as recommended (examples: Braden Bearden; Brian Raymore; Ray Thompson III). Outcome: Cancellations approved.
- Agreed suspensions and administrative penalties: The commission accepted agreed suspension waivers and agreed administrative penalty waivers where respondents or agencies signed waivers (examples: agreed suspension for Alfred Kinsey; agreed administrative penalties accepted for Holiday Lakes Police Department ($7,900), North Texas Emergency Communication Center ($8,000), and other agencies). Outcome: Accepted.
- Contested proposals for decision (ALJ recommendations and commission actions): The commission changed or accepted findings in several contested cases where the administrative law judge (ALJ) issued a Proposal for Decision (PFD):
- William J. Ramsey — staff requested cancellation based on licensure minimum standards; commission adopted staff’s proposed order to cancel the license.
- Christopher Bush — ALJ recommended a five‑year discipline (2 suspended + 3 probated); executive director sought a stricter five‑year active suspension plus 5‑year probation; commission approved the executive director’s proposed suspension (broadly: five years active then five years probated as reflected in adopted order).
- Tangie Beaton — ALJ recommended a 10‑year suspension; commission accepted the PFD and suspended the license for 10 years beginning with the conviction date.
- Merriam Rogers — ALJ recommended revocation after summary disposition for domestic‑violence related community supervision; commission accepted revocation.
- John Joslin — ALJ recommended revocation for multiple material omissions on personal history statements; commission accepted revocation.

Waiver: class A misdemeanor
- Action: The commission considered a class A misdemeanor waiver request submitted by the Caldwell County Sheriff on behalf of an applicant, Patrick Rojas, whose pre‑licensure record included a juvenile arrest for unlawful carrying of a weapon (deferred adjudication). The sheriff presented corrective steps, stronger background procedures, and the applicant testified to his community ties and work history.
- Outcome: The commission granted the class A misdemeanor waiver unanimously; the waiver is specific to the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office appointment and did not automatically apply to other appointments or future promotion decisions.

Procedure note: Many matters were default or agreed dispositions where respondents did not answer petitions or signed waivers; contested matters that proceeded to SOAH (state office of administrative hearings) resulted in PFDs that the commission modified or adopted as noted.

Why it matters: The meeting combined routine agency business (audit plan, procurement authority) with consequential licensing and disciplinary actions. The database approval and rule adoptions implement parts of the agency’s sunset recommendations and statutory responsibilities.

Ending: The commission adjourned with outreach and training conference reminders and an instruction that agency staff will continue implementation work and follow up on the chosen capital project and rule rollouts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","TCOLE Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its Sept. 10 meeting in Amarillo the commission approved internal audit reports and a FY26 audit plan, authorized a capital transfer for a confidential personnel database, adopted multiple rule amendments, and approved a slate of disciplinary orders including suspensions, cancellations and revocations.","taxTitle","Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, Boards & Commissions, Executive, Texas","taxId",36443,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6476854,"Commission approves capital transfer to develop confidential statewide employment database; vendor OpenText to host system",120,3949000,4069000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716561-39f2b8bb3519d3e3f8d5ef47af8320e3&start=3949&end=4069","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716561-39f2b8bb3519d3e3f8d5ef47af8320e3/thumbnail_3949000.jpg","/articles/6476854/Texas/Commission-approves-capital-transfer-to-develop-confidential-statewide-employment-database-vendor-OpenText-to-host-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476854-57b78858044464b91bcbd7b0a52d1405/orig.mp4?Expires=1771072088&Signature=jr9-AzXd5V5ED5TNTuYhN0FMze4pIKW0dbIO-EqICxCzjGM4zdUo90C~BNZ2d8--myU08HUwyMF5BifMV-voPkooQVYolOzI9StzfAncvk55he-Gns~9GSPKNftR9vmm17BY2GJSnxWi8PYq8PO6Cqo2kYQVw36iMKLXneSdfEBsdnzmmrADCcmTjfM6pryq-xZSVoJq9fpTSc6sLjTBJBEe8BrwsKyzW3WPn9shcVKOfANqPrxtT6MHg4U3KTm~budtxHXGSTBUpdo2lImu4LQb431L27-lRDZXSx1bHBGmBSJZWrMUTQ1DQGiQCpWOqv~GsRTadmElJxiaiGMsTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement voted to transfer capital funds and approve an expenditure to develop a confidential statewide employment database (CSED) to store personnel files, misconduct investigation documentation and other sensitive records.

Jessica Capero, TCOLE’s IT director, told commissioners the agency selected a records management system from OpenText and is satisfied with the vendor’s commitment and security practices. OpenText account executive Vinod Kaneki told commissioners the solution is FedRAMP and TexTRAMP certified and that OpenText has not experienced breaches with the product in question.

Finance Director Brian Roth said the commission’s request to move capital is required for IT projects above a statutory threshold and that the agency asked for authorization of up to $800,000 for the 2026–27 biennium as a capital transfer. Roth put the request in budget context: TCOLE’s 2026 budget was about $20.6 million, and the requested amount is a small fraction of the biennial budget.

Executive Director Stevens and staff told commissioners the confidential database is required by sunset legislation and will allow agencies to securely submit personnel and department files instead of emailing sensitive records. Staff also confirmed TCOLE will not begin forcing agencies to submit personnel files until the system is available and security protections are in place.

Commission action: Commissioners approved the capital budget transfer and authority to move up to $800,000 for the 2026–27 biennium. The motion will be sent to the Governor’s Office and the Legislative Budget Board per capital‑transfer rules.

Why it matters: Personnel files and misconduct records contain sensitive personally identifiable information. A secure centralized repository will change how agencies transfer and how TCOLE stores these records; the work also feeds into several rules adopted at the meeting about personnel‑file submission and misconduct reporting.

Ending: Commissioners said TCOLE will pursue funding as an exceptional item in the next legislative session to fold the system’s costs into ongoing budgets.","The commission approved a transfer of capital funds to build a confidential statewide employment database for personnel files and investigation records and authorized spending of up to $800,000 for the 2026–27 biennium; the vendor OpenText will host a FedRAMP/TexTRAMP solution.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6476859,"TCOLE to form advisory panels on motor‑vehicle stop data and law‑enforcement polygraph rules",141,898000,1039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716561-39f2b8bb3519d3e3f8d5ef47af8320e3&start=898&end=1039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716561-39f2b8bb3519d3e3f8d5ef47af8320e3/thumbnail_898000.jpg","/articles/6476859/Texas/TCOLE-to-form-advisory-panels-on-motorvehicle-stop-data-and-lawenforcement-polygraph-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476859-3ab5bd2d8c3c7d9368414ba9cd74aab8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771072088&Signature=HTCtW5LzebXkXFEaMB-idf6jpTGwO51G1YfnkQUNGd6y~OD4-bioB9b9lVg9Sucu4R7fb9SMVHEQTBUXYso3EnRN9G~0tnKNJmG~~wghVEfr3po9RDeb-ZvjBlqYDh0kI8IfTL-wuIRhSqz2MCY~spX9lQ08H5g-22tO9CK61QQRh4VIQ1m-i09l5TiTMLIXj1yKrTTW~y-AcU3cnRBPyCEBj2-f-4ThONVOK0eZlAIwu9LttWgkMWNlaaHrk2NT5V7e7KWUUMzu86J~RkXXn5oAgclUbMBh3Ch-RycujuTfNDz0b2PGHYOrJW159azmjJt7ptbzxge0yUklS-IKrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement said commissioners approved the creation of two advisory committees to address motor‑vehicle stop data collection and the regulation of polygraph use by law‑enforcement agencies.

Executive Director Stevens told the commission that one committee will focus on inconsistencies in motor‑vehicle stop data collection and reporting, and that the work will include improving training, data definitions and reporting flows to agencies and governing bodies. He said legislation addressing the topic was filed in the previous session but did not pass; the commission expects legislation could be filed again in 2027 and wants to be prepared.

The second committee will develop TCOLE rules required by a statute that becomes effective Jan. 1 and will apply to law‑enforcement polygraphers. Stevens said the statute left polygraph deregulated for private industry but requires that if a law‑enforcement agency uses a polygraph for preemployment screening or investigations, the polygrapher must be certified by TCOLE. The guidance to be drafted by the advisory committee will not require agencies to use polygraph, Stevens said, but will specify certification standards for polygraphers who serve law‑enforcement agencies.

Stevens and commissioners said they expect the committees to include diverse statewide representation — chiefs, sheriffs, constables, labor groups, public members, and subject‑matter experts such as polygraph examiners for the polygraph committee. Applications to serve on the committees will be posted on the TCOLE website and the agency plans outreach to ensure statewide geographic and size diversity.

Why it matters: Both committees address topics that affect data quality, training and agency practices statewide. The polygraph committee is driven by a statute that creates a TCOLE certification requirement for law‑enforcement polygraphers.

Ending: Stevens said applications will be posted next week and he encouraged agencies and practitioners to apply.","Commissioners authorized two new advisory committees: one to standardize motor‑vehicle stop data collection and reporting and another to draft rules for law‑enforcement polygraph use and certification under a recently passed statute.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6476864,"TCOLE reports major progress on ALERT/3311 training; sets timeline to reach remaining officers",168,1280000,1448000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716561-39f2b8bb3519d3e3f8d5ef47af8320e3&start=1280&end=1448","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716561-39f2b8bb3519d3e3f8d5ef47af8320e3/thumbnail_1280000.jpg","/articles/6476864/Texas/TCOLE-reports-major-progress-on-ALERT3311-training-sets-timeline-to-reach-remaining-officers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476864-d43157d520baf2b6edb26e4a24c5158b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771072088&Signature=EHf~NUxsOEpppiBllQocO6Kaq-BdYaCOjhPHUke5rhBF-apQKK7Jm3hdcnG1Ro8anX8woHFhY3117yEDEMBwBxiCmL-DLfMAZ79I4wQ4Vt70qs0vfVTQOwcfq54xb~TQWf3WP9mNl0DYtCmdFPpWDHnj1S-7oJG1paH9VXtoo~PMoEYYmOGXPw7odtohJIJSl6Pi~yoaWGqhs-3HsONKg~2a9gxyYuyz1t7nEI4kohNDvpPbHV135h8vt8rBvPPa2dTCr5LARMQqQbRwijbGHRrOtiVmFHFNaAF5BaBBBr6vs1qayeQyHg5GFsfQtAvlngJrEsFzsEwvObsYEiwiEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement reported progress toward a statewide training requirement created by Senate Bill 1852 and the agency’s internal “Target 100” outreach.

Executive Director Stevens said the statute requires every peace officer to have 16 hours of ALERT training every two years and that the sponsor intended officers to complete the 33‑11 alert level‑1 class. Stevens said tens of thousands had not completed that training at the statutory deadline but that, with help from the Texas Department of Public Safety, ALERT and statewide partners, many classes were offered. “As of Friday, Aug. 29, we were down to only 5,797 appointed peace officers who have not completed 33‑11,” Stevens said. He also reported 6,655 unappointed peace officers who hold a license but are not appointed; those will require different outreach because appointment is typically required for class access.

Deputy Chief Vineyard and compliance staff said the agency will continue outreach and produce county‑level maps and heat maps so training providers can target remaining attendees. Vineyard said the agency is making the information available to training providers and plans to break the data down by county and by appointing agency so that training providers can directly contact officers who still need classes.

Director Jessica Capero (IT) reported that her team and agency partners have rebuilt training materials and launched compliance dashboards. She said a short course required by legislation (31‑89 legislative update) and a mandatory course for licensees called “Protecting your TCOLE license” (course 7006) were both made available online on Sept. 1; instructor resource guides are also available for agencies wishing to teach a local face‑to‑face version.

TCOLE staff thanked the Texas Police Chiefs Association, Sheriffs’ Association of Texas and labor groups for working with the sponsor and the agency to make training widely available. Stevens said the statutory compliance goal will be extended to Aug. 31, 2027: “Every Texas peace officer must have 33‑11 alert level 1 training by 08/31/2027,” he said, while urging agencies to get as many officers through as possible in the current cycle.

Why it matters: The 3311/ALERT training is a statutorily required standard that affects the state’s entire licensed peace officer population. The agency’s mapping and outreach effort is intended to close remaining gaps before the extended deadline.

Ending: TCOLE staff said they will continue to provide courses, post rosters and accept agency rosters for 30 days after training to ensure records are updated.","Agency and partners cut the number of officers missing ALERT level‑1 (33‑11) training to about 5,800 appointed officers and set a compliance deadline of Aug. 31, 2027 for the class.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6476869,"TCOLE reports hiring surge, reorganizes academy oversight and shortens some academy contracts",473,245000,718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716561-39f2b8bb3519d3e3f8d5ef47af8320e3&start=245&end=718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716561-39f2b8bb3519d3e3f8d5ef47af8320e3/thumbnail_245000.jpg","/articles/6476869/Texas/TCOLE-reports-hiring-surge-reorganizes-academy-oversight-and-shortens-some-academy-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476869-086fdab4f23b85b395abb78dcc9f2eb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771072088&Signature=fLO6sjiejI4iwrczGJwx~j5WFsVMQpGAJXG-EEpUIMPYyfEsqB8psTdBSoxxe2tFP0v4IQDw0dmOxD5aXAeSo6ZZLhiRqp8qX5Q-rT5MSiVkgQzYGpRm5nG4onDSomDylxoVJwnsMYLitZGUPMKngVWsddr3v5xghbtWoETESwo9ZulOeWLoyvv~DszHaDQHgDKYdwi1Ob810QyWN7OCN9b33X-W8RzneR7d8nJ3d4Ip4J3fHHHSZVEeXE4yyeKtSAf36t1jpDGe4dZZQGyKJfqZakvcVumoW8KKssJafMJC9sKS1Uy9i4HWyhjYNBFpZswnj1Sh9~cA6lO~Nj1Dyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Executive Director Stevens told the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement on Sept. 10 that the agency has increased staff, hosted its first job fair and is reorganizing operations to add capacity for academy oversight.

Stevens said the agency “currently has 91 full‑time employees, and we have 5 temporary staff,” and that the agency had 15 job postings to fill 31 positions. He said the commission held its first job fair on Aug. 8 and that 58 people attended (about 52% online, 48% in person). “Some of them are in the hiring process as well,” he said.

The executive director described an organizational change that moves the old enforcement division into a new Compliance and Standards unit under Deputy Chief Vineyard and creates a separate Credentialing and Education unit under Deputy Chief Colin Grissom focused on academies. Stevens said the reorganization will concentrate enforcement‑style oversight (arrests, investigations, agency minimum standards) in Compliance and Standards while the new credentialing unit will oversee academies and training quality.

Stevens said the commission operates 124 basic training academies statewide and that the agency’s aim is to improve performance and support struggling academies rather than close them. To give the new credentialing unit time to build capacity, the commission will shorten academy contract renewals from its customary five years to two years during the interim. “We don't want people to think that we're renewing your contract for only two years because you're doing poorly,” Stevens said. The two‑year renewals, he said, are an interim tool while staffing and operating procedures for academy oversight are built; once the unit is staffed and established, the commission expects to return to five‑year renewals.

Stevens and Deputy Chief Grissom said the agency will increase field service agents to inspect and support academies and to identify what high‑performing academies do differently. Grissom noted that credentialing staffers will focus on the technical and educational aspects of academies and will begin more systematic oversight.

Commissioners and staff said they are messaging the change to training providers now and will present details at the TCOLE training conference later this month. Stevens said agencies with contracts coming up should expect a two‑year renewal during the transition; fee schedules and inspection processes will not change as a result of the shortened renewal term.

Why it matters: TCOLE’s approach shifts the agency from ad hoc oversight to a two‑unit model that separates compliance/enforcement from training and credentialing. The move aims to raise statewide academy quality while preserving local agencies’ ability to run training programs.

Ending: Stevens said the reorganization is intended to be collaborative and that staff and commission members welcome questions from training academies as the transition proceeds.","The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement told commissioners it has grown staff, held a statewide job fair and reorganized its enforcement and academy oversight functions; academy contracts will be renewed for two years while a new credentialing and education unit stands up.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: TCOLE actions on audits, rules, contracts and disciplinary cases (Sept. 10, 2025)

Commission approves capital transfer to develop confidential statewide employment database; vendor OpenText to host system

TCOLE to form advisory panels on motor‑vehicle stop data and law‑enforcement polygraph rules

TCOLE reports major progress on ALERT/3311 training; sets timeline to reach remaining officers

TCOLE reports hiring surge, reorganizes academy oversight and shortens some academy contracts