SOUTH TEXAS ISD deploys sworn police officers to every campus for 2526 school year

An agency official for SOUTH TEXAS ISD said the district has deployed sworn police officers to every campus for the 2526 school year, with 10 fully sworn officers and an additional roving patrol to supplement coverage.

The announcement, made at the start of the school year, follows about a year and a half of work to establish the district's police force, the official said. The official said the officers were officially sworn in at the district's most recent board meeting with the support of the superintendent and the board of trustees.

District representatives described daily duties that include greeting students during morning drop-off, assisting at dismissal, and patrolling hallways. "There's a police officer at every single school," the agency official said, adding that the roving patrol officer moves between campuses and counties "to help supplement those needs depending on the school, the events that they have going on or the flow of traffic." The official said the program has been in place for about a year and a half as the department was built out.

Officials framed the deployment as a safety measure for students, teachers and visitors. "When they drop off their kids here at an STISD campus, I want them to see that officer there, and I want them to know that their kids are in good hands," the agency official said. The district said uniformed personnel will be present whenever students are on campus.

The official did not cite specific incidents that prompted the roll-out and did not provide details about training standards, funding sources, or memoranda of understanding with local law enforcement in the remarks provided. No motions or formal votes were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt. The district said officers are sworn in and ready for the new school year.