Several law enforcement personnel from Liberty County, including members of the Cleveland ISD Police Department, the Liberty County Pct. 6 Constable’s Office, and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, recently completed school-based law enforcement (SBLE) training hosted by the Texas School Safety Center.
According to Pct. 6 Constable Zack Harkness, the training took place from Tuesday, July 8, to Friday, July 11, at a Clear Creek ISD campus in League City.
Among those in attendance were Pct. 6 Constable Zack Harkness, Officer Trinidad, Sergeant Mellado, Chief Kelemen and Officer Rios of the Cleveland ISD Police Department, and Deputy O’Connor with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Harkness, Cleveland ISD officers, including the district’s new chief, participated in this week’s class.
The training is designed to equip officers with the knowledge and tools needed to work effectively in school settings. Topics covered included bullying, cyberbullying, gang and drug awareness, restorative justice, mental health crises and more.
“It is a priority of the Pct. 6 Constable’s Office to maintain a strong partnership with our ISD law enforcement counterparts. The safety and wellbeing of the children on each campus remain our highest concern, as they are our community’s most valuable asset,” said Harkness.
The training, officially listed as TCOLE number 41501, is a requirement for officers serving on school campuses in Texas. Offered through Texas State University, the SBLE program includes four levels of training, each lasting 32 hours.
The course includes sections on legal issues impacting SBLE, suicide prevention, mental health issues affecting today’s youth, and responding to mental health crises. Gang awareness was a featured section of the training.
Harkness also noted that all deputies in his office are either already trained or scheduled to complete SBLE training.
“As we serve one of the fastest-growing school districts in Texas, it is essential that our deputies remain informed and prepared in matters related to school-based law enforcement. This ensures that we are fully equipped to support our educational partners and provide a safe learning environment for all students,” said Harkness.
In addition to the SBLE program, Harkness recently completed a five-day Internal Affairs training course held from Monday, June 23, to Friday, June 27, at the Humble ISD Police Department.
The training was part of an Internal Affairs Certification course taught by the Public Agency Training Council.
“Staying current on internal affairs procedures is critical to making sure we handle investigations the right way, fairly, legally, and with respect for everyone involved,” said Harkness. “Whether it’s a member of the public or one of our own deputies, everyone deserves a process that’s consistent, honest, and based on the law.”