Texas Commission on Law Enforcement grants class A misdemeanor waiver for Giddings applicant

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement on its March agenda approved a Class A misdemeanor waiver for an applicant from Giddings, allowing him to proceed toward licensing despite a decades-old conviction. The motion to approve the waiver passed on a roll-call vote, 7–2.

The waiver request was presented by Chief Bill Weems of the Giddings Police Department, who told commissioners he had reviewed a full, completed agency background investigation and recommended the applicant. Chief Bill Weems said the applicant had a single conviction more than 25 years ago and has been a “stellar part of the community” since then.

The applicant, identified in the packet materials as Richard Shows, told the commission he had a youthful mistake in the 1990s — a conviction stemming from a sale to a minor — and described efforts since then to address outstanding issues, including seeking nondisclosure where available. He said he has worked, moved, and taken steps toward lawful employment and that community members and the chief had vouched for him.

Commissioners discussed the substance and completeness of the background materials that accompanied the waiver request. Several commissioners said routine, candid disclosure in the personal history statement is essential and pressed staff about apparent omissions in the applicant’s initial paperwork — including later-revealed checks or related entries in public records — that were not clearly described in the applicant’s personal history statement. Assistant staff and TCOLE investigators said the packet included a background report from the hiring agency and that certain older court records could not be located, which limited staff’s ability to produce underlying court documents.

Commissioner Janet Atkins and Commissioner Patricia Burris recorded “nay” votes. Commissioner Jason Hester, Commissioner Sergio Saenz, Commissioner Connor Harvey, Commissioner Justin West, Commissioner Michael Griffiths, Commissioner Justin Berry and Commissioner Kim Lamo voted “yes.” After the vote Chair Roberts and staff noted waivers are narrowly drawn: any approval applies only to the named chief and agency and does not transfer if the applicant later seeks appointment at a different agency.

The commission made no finding beyond the waiver vote; the action allows the named agency to proceed with licensure steps for the applicant under the waiver conditions.