Happy Birthday to the Texas System Police Association! We have made it 10 YEARS!!! 2-10-2020. We could not have done it without the support and dedication from our members. We have always supported our members and we pledge to continue our mission in Campus Policing. Thank You for the support and here is to the next 10 years and beyond.

We have NEW TSPA branded merchandise in our online store. Check out the new items and help support the Texas System Police Association.  https://mytspa.org/Store

We are excited to announce that the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, CLEAT Executive Board approved our Affiliation request at the Annual Conference.

While at the conference, our Executive Board Members received quality training to better our association and move us forward. More info coming soon about the benefits!

          The Texas System Police Association (TSPA) recently commemorated the week of September 16-20, 2019 as Public Safety Officer Appreciation Week. Our Public Safety Officers are hard-working, highly trained individuals who are often our state’s first responders on the campuses of most Universities, College Campuses, and ISD Campuses. These individuals deter crime, lead evacuations, work closely with campus law enforcement officers, and are consistently vigilant int heir efforts to keep faculty, staff, and students safe in schools across Texas.

          Today, a security presence has become the expectation, thus the great work of our Public Safety Officers across the country can easily be taken for granted. Therefore, recognizing our Public Safety Officers are so important. Public Safety Officer Appreciation Week should be used to recognize their contributions and profile the many roles Public Safety Officers fill.

                UT System Director of Police Michael Heidingsfield offered a note of appreciation regarding the week.

                “I applaud the initiative of the Texas System Police Association in their efforts to not only recognize the critical work of our Public Safety Officers every day of the week, but to establish the week of September 16, 2019 – September 20, 2019 as Public Safety Officer Appreciation Week. On a regular basis I am impressed by the work of our Public Safety Officers who not only serve as our ambassadors to the campus communities they serve, but also detect criminal behavior, save lives, and assist in campus security.

                The partnership between our sworn and civilian staff members is an acknowledgement of the combined efforts we bring to our commitment to ensure public safety. Thank you all!”

Following violent protests, the chief of police in Portland suggested that the city ban the wearing of masks during protests

Aug 9, 2019

Following violent protests that left several people injured—including a conservative journalist who was badly beaten by protesters, the chief of police in Portland, Oregon suggested that the city pass a law that bans the wearing of masks during protests. Citing the fact that other states have laws prohibiting the wearing of masks during the commission of a crime, Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw suggested that the city institute the restrictions on masks at protests and demonstrations.

The Oregon ACLU opposes the proposal—they do tend to side politically with the people who tend to wear masks at rallies—but others in both government and private sectors see some benefit to the idea. In this podcast segment, Jim and Doug discuss whether or not such a proposal would even pass in the City of Roses.

It marks his first public appearance since being shot multiple times outside his home

Yesterday at 11:52 AM

By Phil Davis
The Baltimore Sun

BALTIMORE — The off-duty sergeant who was shot multiple times near his home in Northeast Baltimore on Thursday is awake and speaking, saying in a new video, “I’ll be back.”

Appearing in a YouTube video, Sgt. Isaac Carrington, 43, speaks only briefly from his hospital bed, telling the audience “I love you all” before saying the police code signal “10-8,” meaning he is an in-service officer.

Video:  https://youtu.be/nNIPYs-Ta1M

“I’ll be back,” Carrington says, before waving at the camera.

It marks his first public appearance since being shot multiple times outside his home in the 5600 block of Summerfield Ave. in Frankford.

Baltimore police said Carrington was shot around 3:30 p.m. Thursday while he was off-duty and hanging out in front of his home with a neighbor.

The department said a car pulled up in front of the two and at least one masked man carrying a gun tried to rob them. Police said Harrington and his neighbor ran in opposite directions and the masked man chased after Carrington, shooting him multiple times.

The sergeant was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in critical condition as police scoured the city in search of the suspects.

The Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 tweeted just after noon Saturday that his condition had been upgraded to “stable” and that he was able to squeeze the hands of hospital staff.

Police took two people into custody Saturday after the department said a vehicle similar to the one used by the suspects was located in southwest Baltimore County.

However, in the video, Police Commissioner Michael Harrison says the department is still looking for the shooter.

“He still has a long way to go, but our prayers have been answered," Harrison said. “And now we all have to rally around getting him healed and making sure we find who did this to hold them accountable.”

©2019 The Baltimore Sun

Tanika Turner

TSPA Representative 

Every year in Washington D.C. officers from all of over the United States and Canada gather to celebrate the memory of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. National Police Week is in their 38^th year of operation. This year, thee gathering kicked off May 12, 2019. A series of events led to the finale, the memorial service with President Donald Trump as the keynote speaker.

The events begin with the 5k race. Walkers and runners of all ages join together at the capitol to complete the race in honor of fallen law enforcement.  The 5k race is hosted by the Officer Down Memorial Page. On this page you are able to view officers who have passed away or report officers who have passed.

The next day is the Law Enforcement United Bike Ride which began in Alexandria, Virginia. Their slogan “We Ride for Those Who Died” stresses the main purpose of the ride is to raise awareness to fallen officers. The organizations second goal is to raise money for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and museum. According to the Police Unity Tour website they were able to donate $2.6 million this year to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

The Candlelight Vigil has been a tradition that has been going on for 31 years. The street is corded off by a trail of motorcycles. People in both uniforms and plain clothes walk toward the National Mall. With the Washington Monument as a backdrop, it creates a dramatic picture. Books are given out that show the breakdown of ceremonies, with the ending being the calling of names that are being added to the memorial.

This year, Texas had 11 officers killed in the line of duty. As each name was read, the gong of a bell could be heard. The crowd, originally lit by large lights is now lit by thousands of white pillar candles. Fathers hold their children closer and women comfort each other.

As you sit back and look at the lit candles and all of the people holding each other, it is visual proof that the brotherhood is real. Officers, family of officers and blue supporters all come together at one spot at one time to honor the memory of those who gave the greatest sacrifice.

One of the traditions during National Police Week is the exchange of patches. Police from all over bring their police department’s patches and trade them with other agencies. The most sought after patch is at times the patch where the largest incident has occurred.

The hangout spot of choice is Tent City. There you can listen to music, enjoy great food or buy drinks with your friends. With over 80 vendors, you can find almost all the police gear you would like. With operating hours of 11:00 a.m. until 2 a.m., it is a safe place to have fun and hang out with all of the new law enforcement you have met.

 The D.C. Fraternal Order of Police provide a shuttle from their lodge to the vigil, the navy yard metro station, tent city and the Kelly’s Irish Times bar.

The 38^th National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service is the last event of police week. Officers, all dressed in class A uniform, stand together with their departments as speeches are given. On the west front of the United States Capitol, Donald Trump addresses the crowd.

 “Your loved ones were extraordinary and selfless Americans who gave everything they had in defense of our communities, our children and our nation.” Trump said.

Trump went on to tell the crowd that he will always support the brothers and sisters in blue. Trump vocalized his condemnation of anti-police rhetoric. He said that those who file false police reports should face legal consequences.

After the tribute to officers, Trump spoke of Corporal Singh, an officer who was killed around Christmas time during a traffic stop by someone who crossed the border. The president then used that time to talk about immigration.

NPW provides a time of bonding for all officers involved. If ever you wanted a reminder of why you do the job you do, it is laid out for your eyes to see the entire week.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!

Our New Website and New Membership software database is currently under construction. Please pardon our mess as we are still replacing our fillers with our current information.

Local Charters for TSPA have been formed at UT Southwestern and UT Houston! 

We are currently in the process of creating and issuing local charters at all campuses where TSPA is represented. Since TSPA is spread throughout the State of Texas, this process will take some time, but we will get it done. Local charters will better allow TSPA to represent the specific department and enable the local membership to target specific items that need to be addressed.

Please send us an e-mail if you are interested in a position as a local board member of the local charter.