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District Police
HISD Police
Hallsville ISD Police Officers have the capability of communicating with all Emergency Services within the Hallsville Independent School District.
All emergency calls for service- Dial 911
The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office serves as the primary dispatching agency for the Hallsville ISD Police Department and can be reached 24 hours a day by calling 903.923.4000.
Emergency Procedures
Hallsville ISD is committed to the safety and security of all students, employees, and visitors at our campuses. In support of that commitment, the HISD Emergency Operations Plan will be followed in the event of a crisis situation. The objective of this plan is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of students and staff in the event of an emergency.
Although it is impossible to foresee all the potential emergencies, we have made preparations to effectively use our resources to respond to those emergencies that cannot be avoided. The responsibilities are shared between school administrators and parents. Incidents or crises on our campuses can be minimized, and positive outcomes reached, through shared cooperation between parents of our students and HISD administration.
We ask that you please follow the steps below to receive guidance and updates during a school emergency:
- Tune in to Bobcat Radio (104.9 FM) and local radio and television stations in the event of a school emergency. District administration will contact Bobcat Radio for the purpose of broadcasting vital information. Information will also be distributed through the following outlets:
- Hallsville ISD website: The home page of the website will contain vital information.
- Parent Square mass notification system
- Hallsville ISD social media outlets
- Traditional local print and broadcast media
- Please do NOT telephone the school. We have limited phone lines. These must be used to respond to an emergency.
- Do not come to the school. Emergencies involving schools will mean that emergency vehicles (Policies, Fire, EMS) must have immediate access to the building. Crowded conditions will slow the process. If lockdown is initiated, access will be given only to Emergency Responders.
- Await further information. Stay tuned to Bobcat Radio and other local media outlets, or check www.hisd.com or HISD social media pages for updated information regarding the status of the emergency and what further actions should be taken.
Standard Response Protocol
The Hallsville ISD Police Department understands that if an emergency occurs at one of our campuses or office buildings, there usually is not much time to warn students, employees, and guests about what is happening or what to do. That is why the Hallsville Independent School District has implemented the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) at all of its facilities and campuses. District staff and administrators are all being trained in the SRP, as will students through frequent drills.
The SRP is not based on individual scenarios, but rather on the response to any given scenario. One large benefit of SRP is the standard language used by all responders; this includes students, parents, staff, and first responders. The protocol also allows for a predictable series of actions as an event unfolds. The SRP is based upon four actions: Lockout, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Each has specific staff and student directives that are unique to the action.
- Lockout is followed by the directive: "Secure the Perimeter,” and occurs when a threat or hazard is outside of the school building. Students will remain or return inside the building. Staff will help recover students and colleagues outside the building, take roll, and increase their situational awareness.
- Lockdown is followed by "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight" and occurs when a threat or hazard is inside the building. Students will stay quiet and out of sight. Staff will lock the classroom door, turn off lights, maintain silence and obscured visibility, take roll, and wait for first responders to open the door.
- Evacuate is always followed by a location, and occurs when students and staff must move to another location. Students will leave all but cell phones behind, form a single-file line, show hands, and be prepared for changes. Staff will lead students to the evacuation location and take roll, if possible.
- Shelter is always followed by a type and a method, and occurs when the need for personal protection is necessary, such as during a tornado or biohazard situation. Students and staff will employ appropriate safety strategies. Teachers will also take roll to account for students.
We as a district believe this newly introduced protocol will help provide a safe learning and working environment for all students and staff.
Learn More
District Police Department
The Hallsville ISD Police Department is a fully certified police department under the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). While the Department exercises all of the authority and power of all other Texas police agencies, our mission places student success at the forefront of our efforts. Officers are uniquely suited to policing in the educational environment and are continuously searching out ways to serve our students and district better. Each officer brings his accumulated talents, experiences, skills, and interests to their assigned campus and works to create a unique relationship with their student body, modeling honor, courage, pride, and fairness as we seek to mentor our students daily.
Hallsville ISD Police Officers have the capability of communicating with all Emergency Services within the Hallsville Independent School District. For all emergency calls for service, dial 911. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office serves as the primary dispatching agency for the Hallsville ISD Police Department and can be reached 24 hours a day by calling (903) 923-4000.
We encourage you to get to know your HISD Police Officers personally and look forward to an opportunity to meet the students and parents of the Hallsville School District.
Mission, Vision, & Values
Our Mission: The mission of the Hallsville ISD Police Department is to ensure the safety of our district’s students, families, and staff. In order to learn, students need a safe environment where they can concentrate on their studies. Teachers and staff need a secure environment in order to teach. Providing that type of environment is just one of our many responsibilities. The Hallsville Independent School District Police Department works in partnership with students, parents, and staff to meet their needs. We preserve the peace, enforce laws, identify and apprehend offenders, provide emergency services, and offer crime prevention and public safety throughout our school community. Our most important goal is to promote, maintain, and inspire an atmosphere of trust and confidence with students, families, and staff in our community.
Our Vision: We are committed to excellence in leadership, providing progressive and proactive services, developing district and community partnerships, and building for a better future.
Our Values: We, the members of the Hallsville ISD Police Department, value the following in our members and our organization:
- Honesty
- Professionalism
- Integrity
- Compassion
- Cultural Diversity
Goals & Responsibilities
The primary objective of the Hallsville ISD Police Department is to provide a safe educational environment for all students and faculty.
Goals:
- Act as a resource with respect to delinquency prevention.
- Provide guidance on ethical issues in a classroom setting.
- Provide individual counseling and or/mentoring to students
- Explain law enforcement's role in society.
- Establish a rapport with students.
- Establish a rapport with parents, faculty, staff, administrators, and other adults.
- Promote a safe learning environment.
- Enhance safety in and around schools.
- Present a positive role model for students and adults.
- Investigate all criminal activities that occur on school campuses.
SRO Triad
The Hallsville ISD Police Officer should be looked at as a resource to which the school community can turn. As such, the HISD Police Officer fulfills three roles by using a triad approach. The officer acts as an educator (law-related presenter), an informal counselor, and a law enforcement officer. As an educator (law-related presenter), the officer will share special law enforcement expertise through presentations in the classroom to promote a better understanding of our laws. As an informal counselor, the officer provides resource guidance to students, parents, teachers, and staff, and acts as a link to support services both inside and outside the school. As a law enforcement officer, the primary purpose is to "keep the peace." Furthermore, the HISD Police Officer also serves as a positive role model (Mentor) for the students on campus during school hours and off campus during extracurricular activities.
Jurisdiction
The Hallsville ISD Police jurisdiction includes all territory within the boundaries of the District (188 square miles) and all property, real and personal, outside the boundaries of the District that is owned, leased, or rented by the District or otherwise under the District's control.
Authority
Peace officers employed by the Hallsville Independent School District have the same authority, powers, privileges, and immunities as bestowed on all Texas Peace Officers while on or off duty.
Benefits To The Community
The HISD Police Department was created as a response to the reality that more and more of our children have become victims of crimes. Whether major problems or much more common minor ones, HISD PD serves to educate our young people on how to avoid becoming a victim as well as how to get help in the event that they become one.
If an offense occurs within the jurisdiction of the HISD PD, the Campus Police Officer is available to respond quickly to the scene and conduct a thorough investigation. This alleviates the need for reporting to the City of Hallsville Police Department, allowing them to remain on patrol or be available for emergency calls.
Other benefits include:
- Uniformed Police officers on each campus provide a deterrent to crime,
- Experienced police officers are an invaluable resource for campus administrators as they often rely on officers for expertise in criminal matters and emergency response situations,
- The risk of campus violence and the liabilities that go with it is reduced,
- Police Officers trained in prevention, intervention, and education methods reduce the need for other security personnel,
- The coordinated efforts of district administrators and police professionals have proven to be a most successful and beneficial alliance in achieving the overall goal of providing the students, faculty, and staff with an educational environment that is conducive to quality education.
- Law enforcement in the educational environment is no longer an idea not tested. Those progressive school districts that have taken the first steps in providing police services within their community readily attest to the success of their police departments. These districts have sent a message to those who would disrupt the educational environment through criminal activity by showing that such activities will not be tolerated.
The successful incorporation of law enforcement personnel into the educational community by uniting educators and police officers has added a new dimension to the educational community. It is this new dimension that allows us to achieve the overall objective of providing quality education in a safe and wholesome environment free from fear, crime, and disruption.
Refusal Of Entry To Or Ejection From District Property
In accordance with Education Code 37.105, a school administrator, school resource officer (SRO), or school district peace officer of a school district may refuse to allow a person to enter or may eject a person from property under the district’s control if the person refuses to leave peaceably on request and:
- The person poses a substantial risk of harm to any person; or
- The person behaves in a manner that is inappropriate for a school setting, and:
- The administrator, resource officer, or peace officer issues a verbal warning to the person that the person's behavior is inappropriate and may result in the person's refusal of entry or ejection; and
- The person persists in that behavior
A person ejected from or refused entry to district property under this provision may appeal this action by filing an appeal under FNG(LOCAL) or GF(LOCAL) and shall be permitted to address the Board in person within 90 days of the commencement of the appeal if the grievance is not resolved at a previous level.
Open Carry Notification
As of January 1, 2016, Texas law allows individuals with a License to Carry (LTC) to openly carry a firearm in a hip or shoulder holster. However, this law does not override Texas Penal Code Section 46.03, which prohibits firearms on school property and at school-sponsored events.
In compliance with state law, Hallsville ISD will post signs at all campuses, buildings, and athletic facilities prohibiting the presence of firearms. Teachers, staff, students, parents, and visitors are strictly prohibited from bringing firearms onto school premises or to any district event, including sporting events, field trips, or board meetings—regardless of LTC status.
These restrictions will be strictly enforced. For more information, please refer to Texas Penal Code Sections 46.03 and 46.035.
Crime Stoppers
The Hallsville ISD Crime Stoppers, Inc., is guided by Sgt. Jacob Trest and Chief Chris Miller and mainly operates at Hallsville High School and Hallsville Junior High campuses. The program extends to cover all campuses within the district, however. The program is a student engagement program designed to address juvenile-related crimes, particularly criminal activity occurring in and around our district campuses. It is a joint effort between the school administration, students, staff, law enforcement, and all of our communities to encourage students to take active roles in keeping their schools and communities safe and free from the threat of violence, illegal drugs, weapons, and other dangerous activities.
This program has been very successful in helping campuses curb violence, prevent the sale and abuse of drugs, and warn school officials and campus police about pending violence on the campuses and at school athletic events. Since 1978, campus-based Crime Stoppers programs have alerted police to nearly 2,000 weapons in Texas schools.
The ultimate goal of the Hallsville ISD D.A.R.E. & Crime Stoppers Program is to help ensure a safer learning environment for all students within the district. These two programs join together so that the upper-class members of the Crime Stoppers Program can work closely to serve as positive role models for the youth involved in the D.A.R.E. Program. Both programs look forward to success, by being dedicated and devoted to safeguarding our future.
Contact Crime Stoppers:
Hallsville ISD Crime Stoppers, Inc.
Phone: 903-668-5995
E-Mail: crimestoppers@hisd.com
*TIPS Hotline Monitored by Hallsville ISD Police Department
Hallsville High School Office: 903-668-5980
D.A.R.E.
Hallsville ISD D.A.R.E. is a drug abuse prevention education program designed to primarily equip elementary and middle school children with knowledge about drug abuse, the consequences of abuse, and skills for resisting peer pressure to experiment with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. The D.A.R.E. program is taught in over 75% of the nation’s school districts, creating a positive atmosphere for students to interact with uniformed law enforcement officers. This unique program uses uniformed law enforcement officers to teach a formal curriculum to students in a classroom setting.
The Hallsville D.A.R.E. Program is taught by officers whose specialized training and experience have given them the background needed to answer sophisticated questions often posed by young students regarding drugs and addiction. During instruction, a variety of activity-oriented techniques are employed that involve students in class, cooperative-learning group discussions, and role-playing exercises to improve their understanding of the program.
Contact
Chris Miller
Chief of Police
Phone: 903.668.5990 ext. 2110
E-mail: cmiller@hisd.com
District Police Officers
Stephen Cagle
Police Officer – Hallsville High School
scagle@hisd.com
Justin Clark
Police Officer – Hallsville Junior High
jclark@hisd.com
Tracy Freeman
Police Officer – Hallsville Intermediate
tfreeman@hisd.com
Brian Hill
Police Officer – Hallsville Intermediate
bhill2@hisd.com
Zack Lastra
Police Officer – North Elementary
zlastra@hisd.com
Craig Martin
Police Officer – West Elementary
cmartin@hisd.com
Greg Scott
Police Officer – East Elementary
gscott@hisd.com
Jacob Trest
Police Officer – Hallsville High School
jtrest@hisd.com
HISD Police Code of Ethics
As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder, and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality, and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all, maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately, without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself to my chosen profession... law enforcement.
Safety Rules
For Children:
- Remember - strangers are people that you do not know.
- Never talk to strangers
- Never accept candy or gifts from a stranger
- Never let a stranger get too close, whether he or she is in a car, walking or standing
- Always avoid strangers who are hanging around restrooms or the playground that may want to play with you or your friends
- Never go anywhere whith a stranger no matter what story he or she tells you. Ignore stories like "please help me find my lost puppy" or "your mother sent me to get you."
- Never get near or into a stranger's car
- Take the safest routes to and from school, stores and friend's houses
- Never tell a stranger your name, address or telephone number
- Never go to deserted places like deserted buildings, vacant lots, alleys, empty playgrounds and construction sites alone
- Walk with friends or family. It is safer and more fun
- If a stranger in a car bothers you, turn and run in the opposite direction; it is not easy for a car to change directions suddenly
- If a stranger grabs you, yell as loud as you can for help
- Always stay in sight and hearing distance of a supervising adult
- If lost in a store or mall, go to ta store clerk, security guard or police officer for help
- Never allow anyone into the home without your parents permission, always use locks and alarms
- Never let a caller at the door or on the telephone know that you are alone
- Check in with a parent or trusted neighbor immediately after arriving home
- Walk confidently. Be alert
- Never allow anyone to touch you in a way that you feel uncomfertable. Always tell your parents or someone you trust. Never keep secrets. You have the right to say "NO”.
For Parents:
- Your child should know their full name, address, home telephone number and at least one emergency number such as your cell phone or work phone
- Plan with your child safe routes to and from places you allow them to go
- Plan for safe places for your child to go in the event of an emergency at home
- Keep current pictures, vital statics, fingerprints and DNA
- Avoid putting your child's name on an article of clothing, bags, or backpacks where it can be easily read.
Cyber Safety
The proliferation of child predators using the Internet to target young victims has become a national crisis. A study shows one in seven children will be solicited for sex online in the next year.
The Texas Attorney General is urging all parents and teachers to realize the risks our children face online and take steps to help ensure their children’s safety.
Children’s Cyber Safety Pledge
- As I surf the 'Net, I promise never to reveal to someone I meet online my real name, address, telephone number, or the school I attend or give out my photograph. I promise to be sure that I am dealing with someone that my parents know and trust before giving out any personal information about myself via email.
- I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the service provider.
- I will be careful when someone offers me something for nothing online, such as gifts and money. I will be very careful about any offers that involve my going to a meeting or having someone visit my house. And I will tell my parents about these offers.
- I will never agree to get together with someone I "meet" online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and I will bring my mother or father along.
- I will always tell my parents if anything I find online bothers me so they can contact our online service provider.
- No one should ever ask me to keep secrets from my parents. If someone I meet online asks me to keep a secret from my parents, I will tell my parents.
- I pledge to remember that people online may not be who they seem. Because I can't see or even hear the person, it would be easy for someone to misrepresent himself or herself. For example, someone indicating that "she" is a "12-year-old girl" could in reality be an older man.
- I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online, and the appropriate websites for me to visit. I will not access other Web sites or break these rules without their permission.
- If someone is on my email "buddy list," "friend list," or "contact list" and I only know that person online, he or she is someone I should be cautious about because I don't know him or her well. I pledge to wait to get to know my "online friends" just as I get to know all of my other friends. I need to let my parents know who my "cyber friends" are.
- I can report anything that is threatening or suspicious to the Attorney General's office by calling (800) 252-8011.
Frequently-Asked Questions
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Yes! The Texas Code of Criminal Procedures Article 2.12 identifies peace officers including, Officers commissioned under Section 37.001 of the Texas Education Code (ISD Police). All Hallsville ISD Police Officers are peace officers licensed by the State of Texas and commissioned by Hallsville ISD. They have all powers, responsibilities, and immunities as do all other Texas peace officer.
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The Texas Education Code, Section 37.001 authorizes the District’s Board of Trustees to employ security personnel and commission police officers. It is the Board’s responsibility to determine the jurisdiction of police officers employed by the District.
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Yes! Hallsville ISD Police Officers can arrest offenders of the law both on and off campus.
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None! Police officers are not disciplinarians and should not be used as such. Their role is to investigate violations of law and ordinances in accordance with the authority and power specified in Board Policy. While police actions may result in the assignment of a disciplinary consequence, discipline is the responsibility of campus administrators.
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To report an incident occurring on school property or involving students, call the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 903-923-4000, 24 hours a day. Be prepared to give as much of the following information as possible:
- What happened?
- Where did it happen?
- Did any injuries occur?
- Were any weapons involved?
- A description of the suspects.
- A description of any vehicles involved.
- Are the suspects still at the scene?
- Direction the suspects fled.
Stay on the line until the dispatcher ends the call. An officer will be dispatched to the location immediately.