Text of section as added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 208 (S.B. 1484), Sec. 1
For text of section as added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 196 (S.B. 602), Sec. 2, see other Sec. 411.02093.
Sec. 411.02093.  BORDER OPERATIONS TRAINING PROGRAM.  (a)  The department, in coordination with local law enforcement agencies, shall establish and administer a border operations training program for peace officers employed by local law enforcement agencies that will prepare the officers to:
(1)  collaborate and cooperate with and assist any law enforcement agency in the interdiction, investigation, and prosecution of criminal activity in the Texas-Mexico border region; and
(2)  collaborate and cooperate with and assist district attorneys, county attorneys, the border prosecution unit, and other prosecutors in the investigation and prosecution of allegations of criminal activity in the Texas-Mexico border region.
(b)  The training program under Subsection (a) must include:
(1)  information on:
(A)  criminal activity occurring along the Texas-Mexico border, including drug trafficking and trafficking of persons and other activity carried out by cartels, transnational gangs, and other groups engaged in organized criminal activity; and
(B)  methods for identifying northbound, southbound, and intrastate criminal activity associated with drug trafficking, trafficking of persons, and other organized criminal activity, including the provision of services to victims of trafficking;
(2)  best practices for investigating and prosecuting the criminal activity described by Subdivision (1) and securing the Texas-Mexico border; and
(3)  an overview of the department's operations at the Texas-Mexico border, including any collaboration with the United States Customs and Border Protection.
(c)  The department shall identify opportunities for a peace officer described by Subsection (a) to assist in the department's duties related to border operations.  The department may authorize the officer to assist in carrying out those duties.
(d)  A peace officer authorized by the department to assist in carrying out duties related to the department's border operations as described by Subsection (c) is not entitled to compensation from the department for the assistance provided.
(e)  The department may partner with federal agencies in administering the training program under Subsection (a) and facilitating any assistance provided by a peace officer under Subsection (c).
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 208 (S.B. 1484), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.