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Hunt County approves MOU with Celeste ISD clarifying overlapping jurisdiction, radio use and NCIC safeguards
Summary
The court approved an interlocal memorandum of understanding with Celeste Independent School District and the Hunt County Sheriff's Office addressing overlapping jurisdictions, radio interoperability and restrictions on sharing NCIC criminal information; the approval was unanimous.
Hunt County Commissioners Court on Feb. 11 unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office and Celeste Independent School District to clarify overlapping jurisdiction and certain operational rules.
County staff explained the MOU responds to regulatory changes after the Uvalde shooting and reflects TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) recommendations about school police departments. Daniel, a county staff member, told the court that “there are requirements now that any of the ISDs that operate within the county have to have an MOU similar to this with the sheriff's office.”
The MOU was previously returned by TCOLE because it lacked an explicit statement allowing Celeste ISD officers to use Hunt County radio systems; the county said radio access had already been agreed separately and the MOU was updated to include that language. County staff also added provisions restricting access to and use of NCIC (National Crime Information Center) criminal-information data, noting that misuse can lead to enforcement actions against the sheriff's office.
Why it matters: The MOU clarifies operational responsibilities and data-handling expectations between county law enforcement and the school district as Celeste ISD seeks TCOLE approval to establish a police department. The court did not place additional conditions on the county’s radio-use agreement.
The court approved the MOU by voice vote after brief discussion and no recorded dissent.
No specific dates, personnel appointments, or funding commitments were recorded during the discussion; county staff said Celeste ISD will resubmit the interlocal agreement to TCOLE for consideration as part of the ISD’s effort to form a police department.
