TexasCHLforum.com

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Interesting it doesn't mention the Motorist Protection Act. I'd think they'd want to spell that one out pretty clear.

The page was last modified in 2006, before the MPA was passed.

- Jim

I have a question. Do ISD police have authority away from ISD property? If so, how much authority? I'm asking because the school districts themselves created their own police units, and just want to know what constraints and restrictions, as far as jurisdiction, are these ISD created police units working under.

My understanding is that a peace office is a peace officer and can arrest for a crime committed within view. For example, a game warden can arrest a drunk driver.

In this town, the ISD police investigate truancy off-campus and have made arrests in connection with those activities.

I don't know what their geographic jurisdiction is.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:My understanding is that a peace office is a peace officer and can arrest for a crime committed within view. For example, a game warden can arrest a drunk driver.

In this town, the ISD police investigate truancy off-campus and have made arrests in connection with those activities.

I don't know what their geographic jurisdiction is.

- Jim

Along the same lines, I believe that TX is similar to CA in that any law-enforcement officer has "jurisdiction" anywhere within the state.

Until the last few years our city police force had officers assigned to schools.
Our particular officer was respected by parents and students alike. He was
fair, knew who the gang kids were and where they tended to hang out, and
he seemed to know when and where to be to prevent trouble.
We now have ISD police. Basically clueless regarding undertones of
potential trouble among students. In watching how they handle folks at
sporting events and interactions with students, I find most to be rude,
out of shape and not respected by students.
I know it probably won't happen. But, I would like to see our ISD police unit
disbanded and the policing of our schools returned to our local police department.

In Texas, a police officer has full authority anywhere in the state EXCEPT that local officers may only write traffic tickets in the county they are certified in. But within that county, there is no limit on their authority. Many ISD's cross county lines, and those officers would have jurisdiction in both counties.

To give a full analysis, it should be noted that the law restricting an officer to their county actually only mentions municipal police and marshals and county deputies. The restriction makes no mention of school police officers. I think the courts would take the limitation as a guideline, but it is fully up to the court to choose their interpretation.