The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office has been named a “Recognized Law Enforcement Agency” by the Texas Police Chiefs Association Foundation (TPCAF). The honor is the first of its kind for a Criminal District Attorney’s office in Texas and recognizes the commitment that Tarrant County has made to provide the best law enforcement agency possible.
To qualify for the recognition, the Tarrant County CDA’s Office voluntarily agreed to participate in the program and demonstrate compliance with the 168 Best Business Practices relating to the manner in which investigators conduct themselves.
“I am very proud of the hard work by investigators in this office, who completed all the requirements needed to gain this recognition,” Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney Sharen Wilson said in a press release dated January 18. “Our office upholds these high standards of the law enforcement profession.”
The recognition program was developed by the TPCAF to closely mirror a similar federal program, but with a focus on law enforcement in Texas. The goal of the recognition is to continue to drive positive change to law enforcement practices with an eye on officer safety while protecting the rights of the public.
“This program raises the bar for Texas law enforcement, and we are very proud that your agency is such a terrific example of excellence,” Max R. Westbrook Jr., director of the Texas Recognition Program, said in an email to the TCCDA’s Office.
The broad-ranging requirements largely focus on agencies meeting specific policy and training requirements that impact everything from the use of force to how documents are provided for public inspection.
According to the Texas Police Chiefs Association, an agency must conduct a thorough investigation of its practices, policies, training, equipment, facilities, and operations.
“We are honored to be the first District Attorney’s Office to receive this recognition,” said Maria Hinojosa, chief investigator. Hinojosa began her career as a detective with the Austin Police Department in 1989 and has worked for the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office for five years.
Agencies hoping to gain “Recognized” status must submit an annual report to an independent group for review. Once the documents are reviewed, the team then travels to the law enforcement agency and conducts an in-person investigation that involves examining facilities, documentation, and interviewing employees before a final report is sent to the Recognition Committee.
The committee is composed of nine Police Chiefs who are appointed to make the recommendation for recognition. Recognition lasts for four years but requires an annual review to ensure that the agency remains in compliance with all of the requirements.
Initiated in 2006, the program has granted recognition to more than 100 agencies in the state. The announcement Tuesday to the Tarrant County Commissioners Court noted that this is the first time a District Attorney’s office has met the requirements.
The office will be recognized in April during the Police Chiefs Association Annual Conference in Galveston.