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Pecos City police outline plan to form commercial motor vehicle enforcement unit under Texas DPS MOU
Summary
Chief Lisa Turungo briefed the council on a proposed memorandum of understanding with Texas Department of Public Safety to create a certified commercial motor vehicle (CMV) enforcement unit, detailing training, equipment needs, potential fines and staffing challenges.
Pecos City Chief of Police Lisa Turungo told the council the department is negotiating a memorandum of understanding with the Texas Department of Public Safety to create a commercial motor vehicle enforcement unit within city limits. The effort would rely on state oversight and federal standards assigned to DPS, Turungo said.
Turungo said the program requires officers to obtain certificates through training with DPS's CMV unit, including field inspections conducted with a trooper. "You have to do 32 inspections with a trooper or somebody who oversees the program before you're even allowed on your own," Turungo said. She warned the MOU can be revoked if the city does not maintain proficiency and inspection frequency.
The chief laid out startup needs: a specially equipped vehicle; portable scales and inspection equipment; a flat, non-commercial surface for inspections; travel and per diem for training; and annual recertification. She said the department is 7 officers short at present and would either need to reassign staff or add personnel to avoid undermining patrol coverage.
Turungo and councilmembers discussed the fines and enforcement scope. She said overweight citations can carry fines in the low thousands and can rise substantially depending on the overage, and that many enforcement actions are aimed at vehicle safety items such as defective tires, improper cargo securement, lights and mud flaps. "It's not a profit making thing," Turungo said. "It's a safety thing for the community." She added the city would share some revenue with the state under the program.
Council members asked about locations for inspections. Turungo said private truck-stop lots often prohibit inspections and suggested temporary use of a municipal slab or a county parking area near the rodeo grounds while a permanent site is identified. She said the unit would only operate within city limits and would not follow vehicles outside the city on routine inspections.
Turungo said next steps include finalizing the MOU, identifying training candidates and securing a site; she requested a 12-month implementation window to certify officers and stand up operations. The council asked her to return with cost estimates for vehicle, equipment, and training.
