what’s in it for me?. recognition program the recognition program requires extra work on the part...

What’s in it for Me?

Recognition Program

The Recognition Program requires extra work on the part of a Department.

Why do we need to do it???

Two Reasons:

Professional Credibility

Risk and Liability Reduction

The 1960’s and 70’s

In the 1960’s and 70’s Law Enforcement in the U.S. was seen as:

UneducatedPoorly TrainedUnprofessionalBrutalAn Instrument to deny Civil Rights

of citizens

The President’s Commissionon Law Enforcement and Criminal JusticePresident Johnson, before leaving office,

created the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice.

Report issued in 1967 found many failings and made many recommendations including better training and higher education for police.

Beginnings of Professionalism for Police

The 1980’s began efforts to Professionalize Police DepartmentsIncreasing Educational Requirements

Development of a “Code of Ethics”

Development of Internal Affairs and Professional Standards Units

Development of State POSTs (TCLEOSE)

Best Practices

During the 1990’s Professional Efforts Continue

Development of Standards and Best Practices in other States

Police Chiefs Associations, non-profits, and even other State Governments create State Accreditation Programs for Police Departments.

Texas Police Chiefs Association

TPCA Membership wanted a method to improve law enforcement operations in Texas.

The Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices Recognition Program was the result.

Texas Recognition Program

Voluntary process where law enforcement agencies can prove their compliance with 164 Best Practices for Texas Law Enforcement.

Easy to administer

Tailored to what Texas agencies need


Once Recognized, an Agency maintains Recognized status for 4 years by submitting annual reports and proving they continue to meet the standards.


But what does all that mean to the average street officer???

It means it will make your agency Better!!!


The Recognition Program requires agencies to provide:

Clear and consistent policies

Training in all critical areas

Feedback on employee performance

Proper and necessary equipment


Clear and consistent policies help to keep you and your department out of trouble!

Policies should provide clear direction on how the department wants things done. Does not leave it up to arbitrary or flip/flop decisions based on who is involved or who is making the decision.


Clear policies on employee selection, training, investigation of complaints, and promotions let officers know the rules up front and helps you plan and control your career.


Ensuring proper training provides you with the safest and most acceptable method completing a task in addition to professional development.

Training provides the most appropriate method of accomplishing a task without ending up as a defendant in civil court.


Program requires clearly established rules of behavior and ethics so that everyone is held to the same standard.

The Program requires regular feedback on your performance. This allows you to continue to improve in your abilities as well as documenting performance for future opportunities.


The Program also requires adherence to all state regulations and Law Enforcement Best Practices including:Officer Selection and Training

Records Management

Property and Evidence Management


Development of appropriate policies on how things should be done reduces the risk of legal liability and enhances an agencies ability to defend against lawsuits.

Officers following well developed policies reduce the risk of both physical injury and are less likely of being held personally liable in civil court for their actions.


Failure to follow established procedures,

Failure to do what a reasonable officer would do,

Can leave an officer personally liable for their actions.


Developing well thought out Policies and Procedures and …

Following those procedures…

Protects you, your job security, your family’s security and increases the probability you will go home safely after each shift.


Compliance with the Best Practices builds community confidence the agency.

Clearly, City Councils are reluctant to increase compensation for departments that are not seen as professional or competent.

While it may not lead directly to an increase in salary, it can assist in providing the tools needed for you to do your job properly.


Agencies who fail to follow Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices often find themselves being criticized on the front page of the local newspaper and on your favorite TV station.

Being part of an organization like that can be embarrassing to professional police officers who take pride in their career.

Texas Recognition ProgramCompliance with the Best Practices will

help keep your agency from being labeled the “Keystone Kops.”


If you like your job and like catching bad guys, you need to understand that police catch bad guys in only three ways.

1. On-View. You drive up on a crime in progress.

Problem there is it doesn’t happen very often.


2. By the investigation of Physical Evidence.

This method increased significantly with the advent of AFIS and DNA.

But now, the number of case solved through forensics is decreasing because of TV programs like CSI.

In prison, CSI is video training for crooks!

Texas Recognition Program And lastly, by information provided by

citizens, witnesses, and victims…

Information from people who know or saw something.

But if they don’t trust you, if they don’t have confidence in your ability, if they think you are the Keystone Kops, they will not volunteer information to you!


Think about it. Every time a person gives information to the police, they run a risk of retaliation by someone. They will evaluate whether the act of telling you is to their advantage or not.

If they don’t trust you, if they don’t think you know what you are doing, do you think they will take the risk?


The Recognition Process requires a review of your agency by Trained Outside Assessors who review your policies and procedures, your operations, and your facilities and equipment.

You don’t have to have the best of everything – but the Best Practices ensures you are doing things the right way!

Texas Recognition ProgramProfessionals in all fields recognize the

value of meeting established standards, of being assessed by independent assessors, and ascribing to a code of ethics.

Doctors, lawyers, and nurses become “Board Certified.”

Hospitals, universities, and industries become “Accredited’ or “ISO Certified.”


The Recognition Program provides that credibility for Texas Law Enforcement!

It provides you with a badge of professional credibility for your community, for you local criminal justice community,and provides professional recognition

from your peers.


Risk and Liability ReductionAnd

Professional Credibility

Two Really Good Reasons!


Professionals recognize the value of Continuous Improvement.

Welcome to the Community of Recognized Agencies!


Improving Law Enforcement Services

in Texas

what’s in it for me?. recognition program the recognition program requires extra work on the part...

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