Sec. 1701.163.  MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.   The commission, with input from an advisory committee, shall by rule establish minimum standards with respect to the creation or continued operation of a law enforcement agency based on the function, size, and jurisdiction of the agency, including:
(1)  a determination regarding the public benefit of creating the agency in the community;
(2)  the sustainable funding sources for the agency;
(3)  the physical resources available to officers, including:
(A)  all standard duty firearms;
(B)  less lethal force weapons, including a requirement of at least one per officer on duty;
(C)  effective communications equipment;
(D)  protective equipment, including a requirement of at least one bullet-resistant vest per officer on duty;
(E)  officer uniforms; and
(F)  patrol vehicles and associated equipment;
(4)  the physical facilities of the agency, including any evidence room, dispatch area, or public area;
(5)  the policies of the agency, including policies on:
(A)  use of force;
(B)  vehicle pursuit;
(C)  professional conduct of officers;
(D)  domestic abuse protocols;
(E)  response to missing persons;
(F)  supervision of part-time officers;
(G)  impartial policing;
(H)  active shooters; and
(I)  barricaded subjects;
(6)  the administrative structure of the agency;
(7)  liability insurance; and
(8)  any other standard the commission considers necessary.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1172 (H.B. 3389), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2009.
Amended by: 
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1104 (S.B. 1445), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2023.