Longview council backs MOU to support Longview ISD forming its own police department
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Summary
The council authorized the city manager to execute a memorandum of understanding with Longview ISD so the district can form a school police department; councilors asked about campus coverage and arrest authority, which chief Anthony Boone confirmed would be licensed peace officers.
The Longview City Council authorized the city manager to execute an MOU with Longview Independent School District that will support LISD’s formation of its own police department, council members voted on Feb. 26.
Chief Anthony Boone explained that the MOU is required by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and the Texas Education Code (cited in discussion as section 37.081) to outline communication and coordination between overlapping agencies. He said LISD has already received an MOU from the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office and needs the city’s agreement to move forward.
Council members asked how many officers the district will field and whether school officers will have arrest authority. Boone said the staffing will include school marshals and licensed Texas peace officers assigned across campuses; those marshals and officers will have arrest and detention authority within their jurisdiction.
"They're peace officers," Boone said in response to a council question about authority.
Councilors expressed support for student safety and thanked Boone and Longview ISD leadership for coordinating the required agreements. The council approved the authorization to execute the MOU by voice vote.
Next steps: the city manager will finalize and sign the MOU to fulfill the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement requirement and enable LISD to complete formation and certification steps.
