Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Policing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lucas council hears plan to create city police department; director outlines staffing, budget and timeline
Summary
Director of public safety Doug Kowalski presented a plan to stand up a Lucas Police Department, proposing an eight‑person startup (including lateral hires), model policies, TCO registration and a first‑year budget in the $1.3–1.5 million range, with operational readiness targeted by fall 2026.
Doug Kowalski, the city’s newly chosen director of public safety, told the Lucas City Council on Feb. 19 that the city can move from contract policing by the Collin County Sheriff’s Office to a locally controlled Lucas Police Department in stages, and outlined staffing, legal and budget steps.
Kowalski, introduced to the council as the director of public safety, said the move would emphasize community‑oriented “beat” policing and local accountability. “You get to determine exactly what you need, when you need it,” he said, describing advantages such as adjusted shifts for events and closer school engagement.
He walked council through the legal steps the city must take, including drafting an ordinance defining jurisdiction, authority, organization and funding, and registering the agency with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). He said the city should adopt model policies (Texas Police Chiefs Association templates), implement citizen complaint and internal affairs procedures, and consider body‑worn cameras as part of an accreditation‑minded approach.
On staffing, Kowalski described a startup model for a community of roughly 9,200 people that would rely on lateral hires rather than academy recruits: “Right now what we're talking about is eight officers…4 patrol officers, 2 sergeants, and assistant chief,” he said, adding that he and other supervisors would take operational calls while the department scales up. He estimated an initial budget in the $1.3 million to $1.5 million range and said the city manager and he will present a proposed budget for council consideration.
Council members pressed on timing and regulatory approval. When asked about the TCOLE process, Kowalski said he has spoken to the regional director and expects paperwork to be exacting but manageable, and that TCOLE approval should fit the proposed milestones. He also said Lucas does not plan to operate a jail and will partner with surrounding jurisdictions for detention, noting existing arrangements with Wylie and county facilities.
A resident who spoke during public comment, Daryl Shulman, asked whether an eight‑person startup could reliably provide 24/7 coverage; Kowalski replied that lateral hires and supervisory flexibility should provide initial coverage and that staffing would be adjusted based on call load as operations begin.
The presentation concluded with an overview of implementation targets—ordinance drafting and staffing in the spring, equipment and training in May, and a goal of being operational by the fall of 2026—followed by council support and offers to assist with coordination and mutual aid.
