TCOLE advisory committee advances draft training-coordinator standards, tasks subcommittee with curriculum

Presiding officer Director Scott Donaldson convened the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement advisory committee and led a broad discussion of draft minimum standards for training coordinators and a proposed new training curriculum. The committee agreed that a subcommittee will finalize course objectives and return a revised draft for the commission to consider.

The conversation focused on two linked efforts: a new “training coordinator” initial course (described in the meeting as the “basic” or “new training coordinator course”) and an ongoing continuing-education requirement for persons who serve as training coordinators on licensed basic courses. "We appreciate everybody making time on our busy schedules for this important project," Director Scott Donaldson told the group, opening the session.

Why it matters: the committee is drafting rules that would raise the baseline qualifications for anyone serving as a training coordinator for licensing courses (basic peace officer courses and similar licensing programs). Committee members said the change is intended to reduce instances in which poorly vetted individuals run licensure programs and to create a clear pathway—initial qualification plus continuing education—for future appointments.

Most discussion centered on who would be covered by stricter rules and how to make the requirement practical. The draft text presented to the committee calls for training coordinators for licensing courses to hold either a peace-officer license or “the respective license for the course to be taught,” undergo a law-enforcement–style background investigation, and complete a medical/psychological screening when the appointing entity requires it. Staff described a six-month window for a new appointee to complete the initial course after appointment and suggested the continuing-education requirement could be fulfilled annually (some members asked whether biannual would be acceptable).

Committee members and staff debated delivery and enforcement mechanics. Several members said an in-person conference session—plus an online makeup option—would be an effective way to ensure training coordinators receive the material and that the agency can document attendance. Staff noted the agency’s licensing database can identify appointed training coordinators for contract providers and track required training when the coordinator is listed in provider records.

On enforcement and due process, members requested clarity about how the commission would act if a training coordinator’s application material were later found to be “false or untrue.” Staff explained that enforcement investigations would document findings and the executive director would make a decision; for licensed individuals, standard license-enforcement processes (and the associated administrative hearings) would apply. For civilian training coordinators who do not hold a TCOLE license, the committee discussed that contract termination or other contract-based remedies, rather than a license process, could be the practical enforcement route, and that those civilians would retain access to judicial review if they sought to challenge an agency decision.

Members raised conflict-of-interest concerns after several membership inquiries. The draft does not prohibit TCOLE employees or commissioners from serving as training coordinators, but staff reminded the committee that statutory and agency rules require recusal where a commission member has a personal interest in a matter before the commission. Several members urged that language or guidance be included to make recusal procedures and expectations explicit when training coordinators also serve in appointed commission roles.

On course content, the subcommittee recommended the initial curriculum ensure students can use and interpret guidance in the Texas Administrative Code sections the committee identified (TCAD references listed in the draft) and become familiar with the TCOLE comprehensive-evaluation preparation guide and the TCOLE training-file checklist. Committee members proposed additional content for licensing-course coordinators, including proper background-confirmation form use and record-keeping for audits. The subcommittee will draft specific course objectives and let instructional design determine course length.

Next steps and scheduling: the advisory subcommittee will produce a second draft that incorporates the meeting’s clarifications (including clearer language about continuing obligations to meet minimum standards and options for conference- or online-based training). The committee voted on its next meeting date and approved March 27 at 1:00 p.m. to reconvene and review revisions. The committee also approved the minutes of the previous meeting by voice vote earlier in the session.

Public comments near the end of the meeting touched on emerging technologies and training: members of the public and committee participants described early uses of artificial intelligence for weapon detection, mobile-video review, and report writing; staff said TCOLE currently has no formal AI training module planned for 2025 but that industry and legal questions are emerging.

The committee did not adopt the draft rule at this meeting. Instead, members asked staff and the subcommittee to redraft language that: (1) clarifies which license types and course categories trigger the higher standard; (2) specifies the continuing obligation to meet minimum standards after appointment; (3) explains enforcement procedures and the executive director’s discretion for waivers/exception handling; and (4) adds explicit guidance on conflicts of interest and recusal where a training coordinator also serves as a commission member or employee. The subcommittee will bring a revised proposal back to the advisory committee for recommendation to the commission.

Ending note: committee members emphasized balancing the agency’s ability to raise standards with practical access to psych/medical providers and training opportunities for smaller agencies. Staff said the proposed rule changes are intended to prevent clearly unqualified appointments while preserving a pathway for qualified applicants, including retirees and out‑of‑state instructors, to meet Texas requirements before serving as a training coordinator.