New Texas school-based law enforcement summits focus on best practices, safe schools

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
April 30, 2015

AUSTIN – Some of the top law enforcement experts in Texas will serve as instructors for the 2015 Texas School-Based Law Enforcement (TxSBLE) Summit series that kicks off May 6-7 in Austin. The summits are presented by the Institute for Criminal Justice Studies (ICJS) and for the first time allow participants to select two, three or four day training options.

Housed at the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) at Texas State University, ICJS develops and delivers free training for law enforcement personnel throughout Texas, with a focus upon school based law enforcement.  The summits focus upon such school-based law enforcement training topics as: Building a Positive School Climate (Anti-Bullying), Border Issues, Gang Intervention, Inappropriate Relationships, Juvenile Law & SBLE Updates, Mental Health Expansion, Plain Clothes Response to Violent Encounters, and Special Education.

“If you are a Texas Peace Officer who works with schools, works in a school or responds to calls in a school during your patrol beat, this training is for you,” said Joe Munoz, the ICJS Program Manager, and a retired Austin police officer. “The goal of our summits is to help law enforcement officers gain knowledge and skills to address campus-based issues whether they are in a K-12 or college setting. The summits provide officers with best practices in campus-based law enforcement and community policing, as well as in crime detection and prevention.”

The two-day Austin summit begins at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, at the Center for Child Protection, 8509 FM 969, Bldg 2. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis, with many classes already near capacity. Additional Summit information, including registration, is available at https://txssc.txstate.edu/events/sble-summits or by calling the Texas School safety Center at (512) 245-8082.