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Mission
The UISD Police Department is committed to providing the highest quality of police service to the citizens and our school district by aiding in the development and implementation of a well-defined plan to promote discipline and safety and to prevent drugs and violence on our campuses.
The United I.S.D. Police Department is a group of dedicated professional committed to support the district’s mission by providing service-oriented enforcement of the law, maintaining the peace and protecting our school community.
The department is comprised of 88 sworn peace officers, 135 security officers, 3 K-9 Handlers, 5 Radio Operators and 5 staff members. All police officers of this department are licensed peace officers of the State of Texas. They have full arrest powers and all rights, privileges and immunities similar to municipal police officers.
Additionally, officers are assigned to F.T.O. Program, Honor Guard and Safety Patrol Program. These units work in conjunction with local law enforcement authorities and other related departments. The focus of all officers is to work as a positive influence on students and to protect the schools by providing a safe learning environment.
The UISD Police Department supports the district’s mission statement “United, we inspire students.”
Jurisdiction
The United Independent School District and the City of Laredo, Texas with 43 schools and facilities spanning approximately 2, 442 square-miles and serving over 44,000 students and projected to increase 5% annually.
The jurisdiction of peace officers is all territory within the territory of the District that is owned, leased, or rented by or otherwise under the District’s control.
Support Divisions
Criminal Investigations Division – The criminal division is responsible for conducting follow-up investigations and case management for crimes against persons or property occurring within the jurisdiction of the United Independent School District.
Communications Division – The communications division is responsible for the direction and control of all police radio communications, receiving calls for service and information from district students, employees and citizens, monitoring the district camera systems, and providing requested information to field officers.
F.T.O. Program – The UISD Police Department a Field Training Program for new officers. The program was reviewed and updated in 2009. The program has three training phases. Each phase consist of introducing the trainee with real life situations that are commonly encountered day to day by UISD Police Officers. A method of problem based learning is used to teach the trainees. This is accomplished by assigning the trainee to a campus to work alongside an experienced officer. The trainee is evaluated on different areas of police work, depending on the level of expectancy each phase demands. When faced with a real life situation during each phase, the trainee is expected to demonstrate basic police skills throughout every phase. This program has been modified from traditional filed training programs in order to meet the department needs. The program will help accomplish the department’s mission to our youth, as officers guide them in a positive and professional manner.
Police Mascot “OFFICER JUSTICE” – Police Officer Mascot “Officer Justice” was introduced to the district on April 2019. The mascot is utilized for all school events, presentations, and law enforcement events.
Safety Patrol Program – The primary purpose of the program is to enhance the safety of our students. In addition, this promotes the development of leadership skills and good citizenship qualities. A safety patrol’s job is to model for students to assist in the safety of students at elementary schools. They will be trained by a School Police Officer to assist with, three major functions. The pedestrian crossing at the crosswalk, greeting visitors at the school entrance during special events and assisting school monitors in the hallways. The School Safety Patrol will never conduct motor vehicle traffic control.
K-9 Handlers – The UISD K-9 Handlers Program was introduced to United Independent School District in October 2002 to deter the introduction of illegal drugs to school and to confiscate them when they are detected. Our department currently has three (3) K-9 Handlers. These three (3) teams are trained and certified as working canines. Our teams are a wonderful public relations tool by providing presentations at our schools.