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Bandera police report recruitment challenges, recommend replacing pepper-ball launchers with tasers
Summary
Bandera law enforcement reported recruitment shortfalls, upcoming DPS audit, and concerns over pepper-ball launchers after noting injuries elsewhere; animal-control volunteers used 39 TNR vouchers and the city received $5,000 toward a mobile spay/neuter event.
At the Oct. 22 Bandera City Council meeting, law enforcement staff reported activity statistics for September, described ongoing recruitment challenges for full-time and reserve deputies, and raised safety concerns about pepper-ball launchers currently carried by deputies.
Police/Marshal staff (Speaker 5) told the council the department recorded 111 law enforcement contacts during the month and confirmed a forthcoming Texas DPS audit in November. Staff said they continue to seek candidates with sufficient experience for a nighttime deputy position and that the candidate pool remains limited.
On equipment, the speaker said pepper-ball launchers have been ‘problematic’ and cited incidents of serious eye injuries elsewhere, recommending the department phase out those launchers in favor of tasers when budget and certification allow: “People have lost their eyes… I would like to phase that out and to bring back the tasers,” the speaker said (Speaker 5).
On animal-control, staff reported 39 vouchers used for TNR (trap-neuter-return) work and that a partner (Sandra Shaw and Saving Shelter Strays) provided an additional 40 vouchers; staff accepted a $5,000 performance grant to support a future mobile veterinary event and discussed logistics for National Night Out and parking/shuttle plans.
Next steps: staff will continue recruitment efforts, prepare for the DPS audit, pursue taser procurement and certification when feasible, and coordinate volunteer and grant-funded animal-health events.
