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TCOLE 2024: 772 Arrest Notifications, 215 Reprimands, and Compliance Failures Explained

TCOLE 2024: 772 Arrest Notifications, 215 Reprimands, and Compliance Failures Explained

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In 2024, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) processed 772 arrest notifications involving licensed peace officers, jailers, and telecommunicators across Texas. These notifications, known as E-1 reports, are a cornerstone of TCOLE’s system for monitoring misconduct and maintaining accountability in law enforcement. They provide critical data on arrests, charges, and disciplinary actions within the profession, underscoring the need for robust oversight mechanisms to ensure public trust.

The framework for reporting these arrests is governed by TCOLE’s Title 37, Chapter 211, which outlines the responsibilities of license holders, their agencies, and agency leaders. While the notification system provides valuable oversight, challenges in compliance and transparency persist, particularly when it comes to accessing detailed information about the nature and outcomes of these arrests.

E-1 Notifications: How TCOLE Tracks Misconduct

The E-1 notification system is a tool used by TCOLE to monitor arrests and charges involving law enforcement personnel. When an individual licensed by TCOLE is arrested or charged with a crime, an E-1 report must be filed to ensure that the incident is recorded and investigated as necessary.

What Is an E-1 Notification?

An E-1 notification is a formal report submitted to TCOLE whenever a licensed individual is arrested or charged with:

• A criminal offense above a Class C misdemeanor, or

• A Class C misdemeanor involving family violence or professional duties.

The report must include:

• The licensee’s personal information (name, date of birth, and personal identification number).

• Details about the arrest or charge, such as the date, nature of the offense, and booking number.

• Information about the arresting agency and the court handling the case, including the cause number and contact information.

This system ensures that TCOLE is promptly informed of incidents that could affect a licensee’s fitness for duty, allowing for timely disciplinary action when necessary.

TCOLE 2024 E-1 Notifications: A Year in Review

The 772 E-1 notifications processed by TCOLE highlight arrests and charges involving peace officers, jailers, and telecommunicators across Texas. These notifications are a key component of TCOLE’s accountability framework, offering a snapshot of misconduct within the law enforcement community.

While the E-1 notifications reflect the breadth of arrests, the specific details of these cases—such as the nature of the charges or case outcomes—remain unavailable due to the prohibitive costs associated with open records requests. For those seeking greater insight, TCOLE’s publicly accessible documentation provides a starting point to explore the extent and distribution of these reports.

For a closer look at the data, including the individuals and cases that comprise the 772 E-1 notifications, click here.

The file provides the raw data provided by TCOLE, offering readers a transparent view of the records tracked by the commission.

Challenges in Accessing Detailed Data

A request for detailed information on the 2024 E-1 notifications was met with a cost estimate of $1,950, reflecting the labor-intensive process of compiling, redacting, and reviewing the records. According to TCOLE, fulfilling this request would require 130 hours of labor. These costs highlight a significant barrier to transparency, limiting public access to information about misconduct trends within law enforcement.

The reporting of arrests and charges involving law enforcement personnel is governed by Title 37, Chapter 211, which places responsibilities on individual licensees, their employing agencies, and agency administrators.

Rule §211.27: License Holder Responsibilities

Rule §211.27 requires licensees to report their own arrests or charges to TCOLE within 30 days. This obligation ensures that individuals take responsibility for informing the commission of incidents that could affect their licensure.

Specifically, licensees must report:

Arrests, charges, or indictments above a Class C misdemeanor.

Class C misdemeanors related to family violence or their professional duties.

• The final disposition of the case within 30 days of a court decision.

Failure to comply with Rule §211.27 can result in disciplinary actions, including reprimands, license suspension, or revocation. In 2024, TCOLE reprimanded 215 individuals for failing to meet these self-reporting requirements.

Rule §211.28: Agency Reporting Obligations

While individual licensees are required to self-report, Rule §211.28 ensures that employing agencies also play a role in maintaining transparency. Agencies must notify TCOLE within 30 business days of any arrest or charge involving their personnel. The report must include:

• The licensee’s personal details and the arrest information.

• Contact details for the arresting agency and the court handling the case.

This dual reporting system creates an additional layer of accountability, reducing the risk of misconduct going unreported.

Rule §211.29: Chief Administrators’ Responsibilities

Under Rule §211.29, chief administrators are tasked with ensuring their agencies comply with reporting requirements. They must notify TCOLE within 30 days of learning about any arrest, charge, or conviction involving a licensee. This rule underscores the importance of leadership in fostering a culture of accountability within law enforcement agencies.

TCOLE 2024 Reprimands: Addressing Reporting Failures

Despite the robust reporting framework, failures to comply with TCOLE’s rules remain a persistent issue. In 2024, 215 license holders were reprimanded for failing to self-report arrests as required under Rule §211.27. These cases were addressed during two key commission meetings (click the date for access to the agenda):

August 8, 2024: 107 reprimands were issued.

October 28, 2024: 108 additional reprimands were reviewed.

TCOLE 2024 - Failure to Notify of Arrest - Reprimands by License Type (August/October 2024)

Chart Breakdown By License Type

The visual breakdown of reprimands by license type underscores significant trends:

1. Jailers accounted for the largest share of reprimands, representing 54.0% (116 cases) of the total.

2. Peace Officers made up 34.4% (74 cases) of reprimands, showing that reporting failures are not confined to custodial roles but are also prevalent in the larger population of law enforcement officers.

3. Dual License Holders (Peace Officer and Jailer) accounted for 7.9% (17 cases).

4. Telecommunicators were responsible for a smaller percentage, at 3.3% (7 cases).

5. Dual License Holders (Peace Officer and Telecommunicator) had just 0.5% (1 case).

TCOLE 2024 - Failure to Notify to Report Arrest - Top Agencies (August/October 2024)

Chart Breakdown by Top 9 Agencies

The chart provides a breakdown of the top agencies facing reprimands during TCOLE’s two key meetings in August and October 2024. These reprimands were issued for failures to report arrests under Rule §211.27, showcasing how agencies with varying license types are affected.

Key Insights:

1. Harris County Sheriff’s Office:

17 reprimands (7.9% of the total), the highest number among all agencies.

• These include 14 Jailers, 1 Peace Officer, and 2 dual license holders (Peace Officer and Jailer), highlighting the diverse roles impacted within the agency.

2. Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office:

8 reprimands (3.7%), predominantly Jailers (5 cases) but also involving 1 Peace Officer, 2 dual-license holders (Peace Officer and Jailers).

3. Bexar County Sheriff’s Office:

6 reprimands (2.8%), with all cases involving Jailers.

4. Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Board of Criminal Justice:

• Each recorded 5 reprimands (2.3%), Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office had 4 Jailers, and 1 dual license holders (Peace Officer and Jailer). Texas Board of Criminal Justice was comprised of 5 Jailers.

5. Smaller Agencies:

Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office reported 4 and 3 reprimands, respectively, with the majority involving Jailers.

Frio County Sheriff’s Office had 3 reprimands, split between Jailers (2 cases) and Peace Officers (1 case).

Conclusion

The 2024 TCOLE arrest notifications and reprimands highlight critical accountability measures in Texas law enforcement. With 772 E-1 notifications filed, the system plays a vital role in tracking misconduct and ensuring timely disciplinary action. However, the 215 reprimands issued during the year underscore ongoing challenges in compliance and reporting.

Jailers accounted for the majority of reprimands, reflecting recurring gaps in adherence to TCOLE’s reporting rules, while peace officers and dual-license holders also contributed to the total. Agencies like the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office led in reprimands.

While the E-1 notification system is an essential tool for oversight, barriers to transparency, such as the high costs associated with open records requests, hinder public access to detailed data. This limits broader accountability and the ability to analyze patterns of misconduct effectively.

As TCOLE continues to enforce its framework under Title 37, Chapter 211, improvements in compliance training, streamlined reporting processes, and enhanced transparency will be critical. Addressing these gaps will help ensure a more accountable and trusted law enforcement system for the state of Texas.


Disclaimer

The content provided in this publication is for educational and informational purposes only. The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News strives to deliver accurate and impactful stories. However, readers are advised to seek professional legal counsel and guidance for their specific legal inquiries and concerns. The publication does not assume any responsibility for actions taken by individuals based on the information presented. 

Additionally, while every effort is made to ensure the reliability of the information, the publication does not warrant the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the content. Readers are encouraged to verify any legal information with official sources and to use their discretion when interpreting and applying the information provided.

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