14-05-2025
Longview ISD board votes to create district police department
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) — The Longview ISD Board of Trustees passed a motion with majority vote on Monday to create a district police department following the state's 2023 HB 3 Mandate.
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The HB 3 mandate requires Texas public school districts to have an armed security officer on each campus. Trustees passed the measure with six approvals and one abstention, officially starting the process of creating a police department.
The district must now gain authorization from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to establish the police department. Some of the requirements for authorization include district developed policies, evidence storage facilities and dispatch services. Longview ISD is opting for a hybrid model police force, which is a mixture of marshals and Longview police officers.
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According to a timeline established by the district, on Tuesday they began advertising a chief of police and 11 school marshal jobs. During June 24-30, the marshals will attend training and continue alternate training in August. Marshal training will cover several topics including use of force, active shooter response, weapon proficiency and law enforcement strategies.
The startup cost for this project is estimated at $456,125 for essentials such as police uniforms, guns, vehicles and cameras. Longview ISD said annual cost will come out to $54,310 for vehicle maintenance, training, uniforms and ammunition.
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The district plans to have a fully staffed police department and school marshal program by July 1, 2026. Longview ISD projects that every elementary and high school will have one marshal by July or September of 2025. Middle schools will have one police officer and Longview High School will have one police officer, two school marshals and an optional guard shack.
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