Uniform Patrol Services

The uniformed patrol division operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The officers patrol the geographic boundaries of the district and respond to calls for service at the 125 campuses, center and administrative offices within the district. The officers also respond to calls for service involving transportation of students to and from school, as well as assist area law enforcement agencies and resource agencies as needed. Patrol officers assist the School Resource Officers assigned to the secondary campuses when additional officers are needed. The patrol operations are supervised by the first-line supervisor, the aligned district Corporal and the Sergeant of Law Enforcement Services.

School Resource Officers (SROs)

AISD Police Department School Resource Officer program is more than just "cops in schools." It clearly represents the partnership between the police department and school district to meet the goals of providing a safe, secure learning and working environment. Currently there are 42 School Resource Officers (SRO's) deployed through all secondary schools. The presence of the SRO on campus provide visibility and deterrence of disruptive or criminal activities, and each SRO office serves as a Juvenile Processing Office to process juveniles charged with criminal offenses. Each officer reports, investigates all criminal activity on campus as well as filing charges with the appropriate court. Currently, most of the SRO's are also certified Mental Health Officers to provide emergency mental health assessments.

The men and women in this division not only serve as law enforcement officers, but law related counselors, law educators, liaisons for outside resource services, mentors, and positive role models both on and off campus at extra curricular activities by coaching athletics or other after school activities. The SRO officers assigned to Middle School campuses assist in the Tobacco Awareness Education Program as well as instruction of the Junior Police Academy. Each officer is a vital part of their campus crisis management team and is responsible for an extensive knowledge of the campus they patrol and the neighboring community. The SRO Division is divided into two Districts North and South and is supervised by Corporals, who are assigned under the Sergeant of Law Enforcement Services.

Courier Services

Currently there are five officers assigned and supervised by the designated Sergeant. The officers are assigned a specific route and are responsible for collecting monies from the campus cafeterias and activity funds offices for 113 campuses across the district, as well as the District Financial office and Athletics office to be deposited with the bank. During the summer months, and holiday breaks, the assignments are distributed between two officers and the remaining officers assist with patrol duties.

The Sergeant also serves as the department's liaison with Food Services, Athletics and the District Finance office.

Communications

The communications center is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and is the hub for all means of communications for the department and after hour needs for the district. The department's communications operators are trained and certified in use of the 9-1-1 system, State and National Law Enforcement Information and Telecommunications Systems, and the computer aided dispatch system. Operators are also responsible for the monitoring and dispatch of security and fire system alarms and maintenance referrals or system failures to service personnel. Campus and district facility surveillance systems are also monitored through the communications operations center. The department currently staff's five telecommunications operators who are supervised by the Administrative Services Sergeant and the Telecommunications Supervisor. The AISD Police Department Telecommunications Center Operators processed 28,114 calls for service in 2008.

Canine and Mounted Patrol Units

The Canine Unit was established in 2000, to continue providing effective tools to promote and maintain a safe working and learning environment. Currently, AISD Police Department has four canine teams. Two of the canines are trained to detect the odor of illegal narcotics and nitrates, while the other two canines are trained to detect components of explosives as well as patrol tactics. The canines and their handlers live and work as a team. The canine teams regularly appear at civic organizations and visit campuses to educate and demonstrate their abilities to the students.

"Officer Buddy" is a nine-year-old male Springer Spaniel and joined the department in June 2001. Buddy is also a two-time Police Olympic medalist in narcotic detection. "Officer Manna" is a seven-year-old female Flat Coated Retriever and joined the department in June 2003. Both canines specialize in the detection of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and evidence recovery by detecting nitro cellulose powder (which is found in firearms and some explosive devices. "Officer Eros" is a Dutch shepherd, born in Holland and "Officer Valco" is a Belgium Malinois also born in Holland. Both are trained in explosive detection and patrol tactics.

The Mounted Patrol Unit was formed in 1997, to promote positive public relations as well as enhancing police protection during public events by maintaining a high degree of visibility, an assured means of mobility, and an effective form of crowd control. Members of this division must provide their own horse, transportation, and all gear required for riding. The department allows for training and certification requirements as needed. The members of this unit must complete the certification training for Mounted Police and re-certify both horse and rider bi-annually. The certification course provides instruction in many areas ranging from daily care and grooming of mounts, maintenance, to riding skills, such as walking, trotting and cantering. Other instruction topics are crowd control, escorts, defensive tactics, arrest and apprehension maneuvers, and parade formations. The unit actively meets throughout the year to build on these skills, safety measures, and individual skills for horse and riders.

The unit participates in public events, presentations to schools, parades, as well as providing patrol support for athletic and special events. The unit is represented annually as the Texas Police Olympics in obstacle course competition, equitation and uniform inspection.

Training

The recruitment and continuing professional development of qualified police officers is a priority of the Austin I. S. D. Police Department. All newly hired police officers will receive a minimum sixteen weeks in the field training program with a field training officer. Newly hired officers with previous experience may receive field training customized for his/her individual needs, but consists of a minimum of four weeks with an assigned field-training officer.

The department's in-service training needs, hiring process, and field training program is coordinated by the police Training Coordinator. The Coordinator is a Sergeant and maintains the training records on all employees, ensuring that all state training requirements are complied with.

All officers receive a minimum of 120 hours of in-service training during the summer months, each year. Some officers receive outside training through the year, upon request and as resources are available. All sworn officers are required to complete written and physical exams on a quarterly basis throughout the year.

Administrative Services

Data Services Division
The Data Services Division is responsible for the entry, quality control, storage and security of all Department police reports, forms and public information records. The divisional responsibilities are shared by three civilian clerks and supervised by the Administrative Services Bureau Manager. The data services personnel receive requests for information periodically, that cannot be released by law. Although some records are considered open records, the retrieval of information may involve several resources or require records from archives. To make an open records request, the request must be submitted in writing to the superintendent's office. The clerks also retrieve and organize information for court and resource services when needed.

Police Support Services
The Police Services Specialist serves as a Tele-serve operator, taking inactive reports by phone or walk-in. The Police Services Specialist is also responsible for the dissemination of police reports for approval, Juvenile Felony Adjudication notifications, Sex Offender notifications, and probationary notifications.

Emergency Management Coordinator
The Emergency Management Coordinator facilitates efficient and effective responses to potential crisis events by establishing protocol and procedures for emergencies that may arise within the district. The Emergency Management Coordinator also serves as the liaison for Crime Victim's Services. The Telecommunications Supervisor monitors the Crisis Hotline and provides continuous assistance during campus crisis events and maintains access to and with other emergency services.

Life and Safety Services Division
The objective of the Life and Safety Services Division is to install and maintain all fire, safety, and security equipment for the Austin I. S. D. Facilities. Currently there are 15 employees that share these duties and responsibilities.