Denison council approves police reorganization effective Sept. 24 and revises gun purchase agreement

The Denison City Council voted Sept. 2 to approve a reorganization of the Denison Police Department that sets department staffing at 12 sworn officers, with a 13th position to be filled only if grant funding becomes available. The reorganization directs that officers will begin at the salary "step" corresponding to their experience; certified officers with four or more years of experience would start at step four and remain there until the next step increment.

Council recorded a motion by Logan, seconded by Curnyn, to approve the Police Department reorganization effective Sept. 24, 2025; the motion carried unanimously. The council record notes the change is intended to produce cost savings for the department.

Separately, the council approved the City of Denison Police Department Gun Purchase Program and Written Agreement after requesting specific revisions: clarification of the termination clause, additional language about employee reimbursement upon termination, changes to advisory language in the mental-health paragraph, and removal of the word "Captain" from the document. The motion to approve the agreement with those recommended changes passed unanimously.

Councilmembers did not record dissent in the meeting minutes; both actions were approved in the open session portion of the meeting. The handbook changes and a wage resolution related to personnel were noted as forthcoming and will be presented at the next meeting for final administrative implementation.