Political Platform

TLEA advocates for the equality, professionalism, and integrity of every Texas Peace Officer. Our Political Platform outlines TLEA’s legislative and policy priorities from protecting the authority of the Texas Peace Officer License to ensure that all officers receive equal recognition, opportunity, and respect under the law.

Equal Standards. Equal Service. Equal Respect.

TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATION

POLITICAL PLATFORM

INTRODUCTION

The Texas Law Enforcement Association (TLEA) was founded to defend the integrity, authority, and equality of the Texas Peace Officer License. Every peace officer in Texas meets the same state-mandated training standards, passes the same licensing exam, and upholds the same oath to protect and serve. Yet, in recent years, legislative “carve-outs” have begun dividing peace officers by agency type or employment classification, limiting the authority and recognition of certain officers despite identical qualifications. 

TLEA exists to ensure that every licensed Texas Peace Officer receives equal recognition, authority, and respect under the law. Our platform outlines the policies and reforms TLEA supports to protect professional equality, strengthen public safety, and preserve local control across Texas law enforcement.

1. Defend the Texas Peace Officer License

The Texas Peace Officer License, established under Occupations Code Chapter 1701, represents the professional foundation of Texas law enforcement. Every officer earns it through training, testing, and continuing education.

TLEA Advocates To:

• Preserve the full authority and credibility of the license.
• Ensure that once licensed, officers are recognized in full standing regardless of agency or classification.
• Oppose any measure that redefines or limits an officer’s powers after licensure.

2. One license should mean one standard of authority for all who serve.

End Legislative Carve-Outs

TLEA Opposes:

• Any statutory “carve-out” that divides peace officers by agency, classification, or employment type.
• Laws that reduce or redefine peace-officer authority for non-full-time or specialized officers.

TLEA Supports:

• Uniform      legal recognition of all TCOLE-licensed officers as equals under Texas      law.
• Legislative      corrections to restore equality where authority has been limited.

Dividing peace officers by classification weakens the profession. TLEA will continue to advocate for unity and consistency in state law.

3. Expand Training Access and Professional Growth

TLEA believes every officer deserves access to quality training regardless of location or agency size.

TLEA Supports:

• Affordable, accessible regional training programs.
• Authorization for small agencies to conduct in-house, certified instruction, including the ability to report mandated classes inhouse.
• Increased funding for officer development and continuing education.
• Interagency collaboration to share resources and reduce costs.

4. Equal access to training equals equal opportunity to serve.

Protect Local Control of Law Enforcement

Local control ensures policing reflects community values, not distant bureaucracy.

TLEA Advocates For:

• Preserving local decision-making over operations and staffing.
• Opposing unfunded state mandates that burden smaller agencies.
• Supporting reform that strengthens accountability while respecting autonomy.

Texas law enforcement must remain accountable to local citizens first.

5. Ensure Fair Representation for Small and Rural Agencies

Large departments often dominate state-level discussions while small-town and rural voices go unheard.

TLEA Works To:

• Guarantee small and rural agencies representation in state policy and funding.
• Advocate for equitable grant access and resource distribution.
• Elevate rural law enforcement perspectives in TCOLE, legislative, and regulatory forums

.

Every community, regardless of size, deserves professional law enforcement representation.

6. Support Common-Sense Legislative Reform

TLEA believes good law enforcement policy should rise above politics.

Through the TLEA Political Action Committee (PAC), we:

• Support candidates of any party who uphold fairness, professionalism, and equal treatment.
• Oppose legislation that divides or weakens the profession.
• Advance reforms that enhance safety, accountability, and morale.

Public safety is not partisan.

7. Reform TCOLE Board Representation

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) regulates every licensed officer in Texas, yet non-full-time officers currently have no guaranteed seat on their board.

TLEA Supports:

• Amending Occupations Code §1701.051 to require at least one non-full-time peace officer on the TCOLE board.
• Expanding representation to include small and rural agencies.
• Increasing transparency and direct officer input in rulemaking.

If TCOLE governs all peace officers, it must represent all peace officers.

8. Recognize Off-Duty Traffic Control as Essential, High-Risk Public Safety Work

Off-duty traffic control is among the most dangerous assignments in law enforcement. Officers routinely place themselves in harm’s way often as independent 1099 contractors, furnishing their own equipment and insurance to protect others.

Data and Risk:

• 44 officers nationwide were struck and killed by vehicles between      2018–2022 (NLEOMF).
• Traffic incidents account for 37% of officer line-of-duty deaths since 2012 (NIOSH).

Case Example: Reserve Officer Jeffery Richardson
On June 29, 2022, Reserve Officer Jeffery Michael David Richardson of the Poteet Police Department was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic in Austin. He was thrown nearly 100 feet. Officer Richardson had served for nine years and was protecting both workers and motorists when he was killed.

TLEA Calls For:

• Protection of the right of licensed peace officers to perform off-duty traffic-control work under their commission, using their training, discretion, and lawful authority to protect both workers and the traveling public.
• Recognition that peace officers performing traffic control under their commission are acting in an official law-enforcement capacity, even when the work is privately contracted, and therefore retain full authority under their Peace Officer license.
• Affirmation that properly equipped personally owned vehicles used by commissioned peace officers for traffic-control duties qualify as authorized emergency vehicles under Texas Transportation Code §547.702, when fitted with compliant emergency lighting and operated for that purpose.
• Recognition that officers injured or killed while performing authorized traffic-control duties are serving the public and should qualify for line-of-duty injury and death benefits, regardless of their employment classification or pay status.
• Preservation of this lawful and essential employment opportunity so that peace officers, especially those serving in small or rural departments can continue to earn a living while providing critical safety to motorists and work-zone personnel across Texas.

Licensing, not payroll, defines authority, service, and sacrifice.

8. Protect the Right of Non-Full-Time Officers to Serve and Earn

Legislation like H.B. 3846 (2025) threatened to strip non-full-time officers of authority and income, limiting when they could act as peace officers.

TLEA Opposes:

• Any law that limits authority or earning potential for non-full-time officers.

TLEA Supports:

• Recognizing off-duty and contractual work as legitimate law-enforcement service.
• Ensuring that licensure, not classification, defines authority.
• Educating lawmakers about how such restrictions devastate small departments and officer livelihoods.

For many officers, off-duty work is the only way to remain in uniform.

Protecting that right preserves both careers and community safety.

9. Equal Authority to Perform Private Security Work in Uniform

Under Occupations Code §1702.322, only full-time peace officers can work uniformed private security under peace-officer authority while non-full-time officers are excluded.

Training Comparison:

• Peace Officer (BPOC): 720+ hours, licensing exam, continuing education.
• Private Security Level II: 6 hours.
• Private Security Level III: 45–50 hours.

Despite far higher standards, licensed peace officers who are non-full-time cannot perform the same work that civilians with minimal training legally can.

TLEA Advocates To:

• Amend §1702.322 to include all TCOLE-licensed peace officers, regardless of classification.
• Allow uniformed private security employment under agency approval, supervision, and policy compliance.
• Ensure proper insurance and liability protection for all officers performing this work.

Equal licensing must mean equal opportunity. 

10. Support Equal Opportunity and Professional Sustainability

Background:

The future of Texas law enforcement depends on policies that allow every peace officer to build a lasting, respected career. Across the state, small and rural departments struggle to recruit and retain qualified officers as fewer people enter the profession. TLEA believes the solution is not additional bureaucracy, but common-sense policy, local control, and a renewed culture of professionalism and pride in service.

Issue:

There is currently no pathway for non-full-time officers to obtain a “Retired Peace Officer License” under Occupations Code Chapter 1701, even after years of honorable service. This omission leaves many dedicated officers without formal recognition of their contribution once they complete their service. At the same time, political pressures and inconsistent public perception have discouraged new recruits and strained morale statewide. To strengthen the profession, Texas must restore confidence, respect, and professional identity to those who choose a career in law enforcement.

  TLEA Supports:

• Creating a pathway for non-full-time officers to qualify for a Retired Peace Officer License, recognizing years of honorable service and professional contribution.
• Encouraging local control and professional discretion, ensuring that agencies, not state mandates, define what works best for their communities.
• Fostering a professional culture of commitment and integrity, where loyalty to the department and community is central to the officer’s identity.
• Promoting recruitment and retention through professionalism and mentorship.
• Encouraging departments to invest in professional development and community partnerships that elevate the image of Texas law enforcement and inspire long-term service.

Rationale:

• Texas law enforcement thrives when officers are empowered, respected, and recognized for their service.
• Building a sustainable profession requires preserving local decision-making, promoting pride in the badge, and honoring those who dedicate their careers to keeping our communities safe.
• TLEA will continue to advocate for pathways, policies, and a professional culture that ensure every officer can serve with Equal Standards. Equal Service. Equal Respect.

CONCLUSION

TLEA stands united for every Texas Peace Officer who serves our communities with professionalism and honor.

We will continue to:

• Defend the authority of the Peace Officer License.
• Oppose legislation that divides or weakens the profession.
• Advocate for policies that preserve equality, strengthen professionalism, and protect local control.

Because in Texas, there should only be one profession, one standard, and one license.