Since its establishment in 1986, The Austin I. S. D. Police Department is dedicated to providing a safe working and educational environment to the approximately 94,000 students and staff of the Austin Independent School District. The department, partnering in the community, extends its professional police and resource services to the visitors, residents and other law enforcement agencies within the Austin Independent School District. The police department employs 68 sworn officers, to pro-actively serve and protect the 125 A.I.S.D. Campuses, centers and administrative offices that span a jurisdiction of 230 square miles. The administrative organization is composed of the Chief of Police, Captain, two Lieutenants, five Sergeants, 59 uniformed officers and 33.5 civilian support services personnel.

The Uniformed Law Enforcement Services and Communications center operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Law Enforcement Services are comprised of the patrol and courier divisions, canine and mounted patrol services and officers assigned to secondary schools as school resource officers. The Support Services, comprised of Investigations, Communications, Data Resources, Security, and Fire Alarm Systems Divisions, Tele-serve operations and an Emergency Management Coordinator work collaboratively to facilitate the department's objectives to provide a safe environment for the district community.

On August 22, 2008, the Austin I.S.D. Police Department received the award of "Recognized Law Enforcement Agency" from the Texas Police Chiefs Association Law Enforcement Recognition Program. Begun in 2007, the Recognition Program evaluates a Police Department's compliance with over 160 Best Business Practices for Texas Law Enforcement. These Best Practices were carefully developed by Texas Law Enforcement professionals to assist agencies in the efficient and effective delivery of service and the protection of individual's rights. These Best Practices cover all aspects of law enforcement operations including use of force, protection of citizen rights, vehicle pursuits, property and evidence management, and patrol and investigative operations.

This voluntary process required the Austin I.S.D. Police Department to conduct a critical self-review of the agencyís policies, procedures, facilities and operations. Beginning in May of 2007, the department begin the lengthy process to become a "Recognized" Law Enforcement Agency by preparing proofs of compliance for each of the Texas Law Enforcement Best Business Practices. Upon completion of the internal review, an outside audit and review was requested. This final on-site review took place on August 8, 2008. The on-site review is conducted by trained Police Chiefs from other areas of our state. The result of this review was then sent to the Texas Police Chiefs Associationís Recognition Committee for final analysis and decision to award "Recognized" status.

The Austin I.S.D. Police Department is proud to be the very first school district police department to accomplish this achievement, and only the 7th law enforcement agency overall.