Liberty Police Hold Workshop

LIBERTY, May 7, 2010 - The Liberty Police Department recently hosted a workshop for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). The gathering was called TCLEOSE Simplified, and it brought in police administrators and training coordinators from throughout the Southeast Texas region. The seminar was held at Liberty Center.

TCLEOSE is the regulatory body for peace officers in the Texas. They are responsible for setting and enforcing standards for officers, licensing and credentialing, as well as reporting to the governor and legislature on commission activities. In a state as large and diverse as Texas, there can sometimes be confusion over certain aspects of TCLEOSE’s functions and procedures. The TCLEOSE Simplified workshop was a chance for administrators and trainers to clear up any misconceptions and misinformation. TCLEOSE Field Service Agent Richard Gutierrez and Field Programs Manager John Helenberg were on hand to provide updated information on procedures, and to answer questions about specific TCLEOSE functions.

Early in 2010, TCLEOSE extended an invitation to Liberty PD to host the regional seminar. Liberty Police Chief Billy Tidwell explains, “We have a reputation with TCLEOSE for our emphasis on training and continuing education. Our training coordinator, Debbie Manchaca, has worked well with TCLEOSE’s Field Service Agents over the past few years. It was those professional interactions that got us the invitation.”

Approximately fifty participants attended the one day seminar. In addition to local law enforcement, administrators and trainers from as far away as Orange, Galveston, and Bryan-College Station were in attendance.

Liberty City Manager Gary Broz has already received word from Agent Gutierrez that the seminar was a success. There’s even talk that TCLEOSE wants to come back and provide the same workshop later in the year, for those that couldn’t attend the first. In the meantime, Liberty PD is continuing with its commitment to officer education. The department has just finished a TCLEOSE Instructor Certification Course, adding three officers to their list of trainers.