Trustees approve plan allowing MISD police to appoint reserve officers after new state law

Montgomery ISD trustees on Sept. 6 voted to permit the district police department to appoint reserve police officers, using authority created by a recent state law authored by Rep. Metcalfe, district leaders said.

The board action authorizes Chief Dorey and the MISD Police Department to bring on reserve officers, who could include retired officers from other departments, to support campus safety and operational needs, a presenter told trustees.

Board member Mister Dennison moved approval and said he had testified at the state Capitol in support of the change. Trustees thanked Dennison and noted the measure benefits school districts statewide.

"This doesn't just, like Doctor Ruffin said, it doesn't benefit just us, it benefits the whole state," Dennison said during the discussion.

Details and limitations The district described the change as enabling—district staff cited examples such as bringing on retired officers to fill temporary gaps and augment the department when needed. The transcript did not specify hiring timelines, pay rates, training requirements, or how the reserve officers will be scheduled; those implementation details remain subject to department policy and state law.

Board action and vote The motion to approve the MISD Police Department appointment of reserve officers was made on the record and a second was given; trustees voted in favor and the motion carried. The transcript does not include a roll-call tally.

Next steps District staff and the police department will proceed with appointment processes consistent with state law and district policy, and trustees expressed gratitude to Dennison and Representative Metcalfe for advancing the legislation.