LPD Transparency

• Do officers wear body cameras?

  Yes, uniformed officers wear body cameras. Officers are required to activate their cameras anytime they are dispatched or check out on a call for service.
  

• Are there in-vehicle cameras?

  Yes, all marked vehicles have in-vehicle cameras. These cameras automatically activate anytime emergency lights are turned on.
  

• Are all officers up to date on required training?

  Yes, all officers are up to date with all mandated training and licensing requirements.
  

• What de-escalation training/education do officers receive?

  Senate Bill 1849 requires De-escalation Techniques for limiting the use of force in public interaction for peace officers with the basic police officer course, every 48 months for those within a basic proficiency certificate, or to obtain an intermediate or advanced proficiency certificate. Included in this training is the learning of communication skills and diffusion strategies to avoid or resolve conflict. Lewisville Police Officers received training before the state mandate. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) De-escalation Training Outline utilizes much of the material submitted by Lewisville to TCOLE for approval.
  

• Does de-escalation training/education include content on the mentally ill or cognitively challenged?

  Crisis Intervention Training is required to be completed no later than the second anniversary of the date the officer is licensed or the date an officer applies for an intermediate proficiency
  certificate, whichever date is earlier. This training covers mental health, cognitive disorders, effective communication skills, etc.
  

• What type of external oversite does the Department have?

  The Lewisville Police Department utilizes a nationally recognized independent consultant to provide external oversight regarding the preparation of the statutorily required annual racial profiling report submitted to the State of Texas every year. The external consultant additionally conducts quarterly audits of departmental records related to departmental data and racial profiling, with that information being part of the annual report. The Department also voluntarily participates in the Texas Police Chief’s Best Practices Accreditation Program. The Program requires submission of yearly reports and on-site inspection every four years to ensure compliance with best practices relevant to the efficient and effective delivery of service, the reduction of risk, and the protection of individual’s rights. Texas Commission on Law Enforcement provides State oversight regarding training and licensing regulations for both officers and dispatchers.
  

• What classes or training are officers required to take regarding racial bias and police brutality?

  During the police academy, cadets receive more than 100 hours of instruction on the following topics: Multiculturalism, Ethics, Interacting with the Public, Racial Profiling, Crisis Intervention, and De-Escalation. Every Peace Officer who does not have an Intermediate Peace Officer License must take 8 hours of Cultural Diversity, Crisis Intervention, and De-escalation training every two years.
  

• What has the Lewisville Police Department done to ensure compliance with the response to resistance directives?

  Officers attend biennial response to resistance training. The course covers relevant laws, department policy, and practical applications. The Department also submits annual reports to the Texas Best Practices Program to confirm continued compliance with training and laws related to our officers’ response to resistance. Also, a Safety Review Committee reviews all pursuits, accidents/injuries, and all response to resistance instances. The committee reviews each for policy violations. A report is then forwarded to the command staff for discipline on all policy violations.
  

• What are the Lewisville Police Officer Hiring Requirements?

  • Written Examination (Waived for applicants currently certified by TCOLE)
  • If TCOLE certified, only Honorably Discharged officers are accepted.
  • 2000 Meter Row Evaluation
  • Interview with Background Investigator
  • Background Investigation
  • Polygraph Examination
  • Oral Review Board
  • Psychological Examination
  • Medical Examination / Drug Screen

  A list of Texas mandated requirements for peace officers can be found on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement web site.

• What should an individual do if they feel an officer mistreated them?

  The individual should call the police department and request to speak to a Watch Commander to report the complaint. We take complaints seriously and will review them in-depth and act if policy violations are discovered. Complaints are classified as being Class I or Class II. Class I complaints are those that allege significant violations, such as illegal activity, excessive use of force, or racial profiling, among others. An Internal Affairs investigator or a command staff level officer investigates these allegations. These complaints must be in writing and signed by a complainant. Link to the Complaint Against An Officer form.

  The employee’s supervisor investigates Class II complaints. These violations include rudeness, poor driving, and other allegations that typically could result in reprimands. A supervisor can usually take these complaints by phone.

  Supervisors will always attempt to contact complainants with a disposition of the investigation. All completed investigations are forwarded through the employee’s chain-of-command for review. The Chief of Police ultimately reviews each complaint filed against an employee.

• During a traffic stop, when should I get my insurance card out of my glove compartment?

  Q: My father-in-law was recently pulled over by police in another Texas town for speeding. After stopping his vehicle, he began rummaging around in his glove compartment to fetch his proof of insurance. This made the police officer uneasy, so he approached my father-in-law's vehicle with his weapon drawn ordering him to get out of the car with his hands up. It ended well, but my father-in-law was really shaken up. I, too, keep my proof of insurance in my glove compartment. What is the safest way for a driver to retrieve their proof of insurance from their glove compartment without spooking the officer?
  
  A: My suggestion is to wait to try to retrieve it until the officer has made contact with you. Tell the officer that the document is in the glove compartment and ask if it is okay to reach for it. Also, if you happen to be a weapon carrier, always tell the officer if you have a weapon and where it is located. I'm glad it all worked out alright. Maybe he got a warning.