CLEAT Executive Board votes no confidence in the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)

ATTN: All Texas Media Outlets
For Immediate Release

May 3, 2021

AUSTIN — Whereas, as the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, CLEAT, is on record as a longtime advocate and supporter of increased law enforcement officer education, training, and professionalism;

Whereas, CLEAT has strongly supported the funding, authority, legal scope and mission of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education;

Whereas, in recent years the renamed Texas Commission on Law Enforcement has openly abandoned its original purpose and sought to claim relevance as a faux statewide police department constantly seeking broader powers and circumventing local democracy and elected authority.

Whereas, as TCOLE has begun to largely ignore its real purpose of focusing on the critical needs in developing new curriculum for training officers especially in the current climate;

Whereas, TCOLE has filled all of its investigator positions, but few of its training and academic positions, it is clear that the agency has found other interests it would rather pursue;

Whereas, TCOLE has deliberately developed a false narrative in the media and with state lawmakers that local sheriffs, chiefs, and agency heads cannot be trusted with the final disciplinary issues of their law enforcement agencies and departments;

Whereas, TCOLE has now peddled the same, tired, exaggerated examples of long since resolved officer misconduct as reasons to expand its political power;

Whereas, TCOLE has openly opposed due process and the administrative law judge process; and

Whereas, the CLEAT Executive Board consists of sworn law enforcement officers licensed by TCOLE;

Therefore, be it resolved by the Executive Board of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, the following:

The CLEAT Executive Board has “No Confidence” in the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and agree with the assessment of the Sunset Commission that TCOLE’s minimum training standards are outdated and ultimately do not meet the evolving needs of law enforcement personnel in Texas; and

TCOLE should be extended by the Legislature, without any additional authority, for at least two years while an exhaustive review is conducted.  The review should include participation from all stakeholders and ensure that any additional authority granted to TCOLE is in the best interest of the public, law enforcement, and the officers who put their lives on the line daily.

Unanimously adopted in Austin, Texas, April 30, 2021

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To view the official press release, download below.