Kountze ISD became the latest school district in Hardin County to form its own police department.
At the March 14 Hardin County Commissioners Court meeting, the court approved a request by Sheriff Mark Davis for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Kountze ISD, Kountze Police Department (KPD) and Hardin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) for the formation of the Kountze ISD Police Department.
HCSO Chief Deputy Mark Minton told commissioners it was a “standard agreement” between Kountze ISD, the sheriff’s office and the Kountze Police Department for response and use of the county jail.
According to the MOU, the Texas Education Code provides a school district police department and the law enforcement agencies with which it has overlapping jurisdiction the opportunity to enter into an agreement that outlines reasonable communication and coordination efforts between the department and the agencies.
A Kountze ISD Police Department officer can request assistance on any “serious incident” from KPD and HCSO. Serious incidents include first-degree felonies, murder or attempted murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, explosive weapon and disturbances where a group is involved.
KISD PD is not a 24-hour department and hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on school business days, athletic events or other extracurricular school activities, as determined in the official school calendar for school administrators. HCSO allows KISD PD to operate on the Hardin County Sheriff’s radio frequency for official business.
The MOU is automatically renewed annually on Sept. 1 of each successive year for up to 5 years, unless terminated.
Any party may withdraw from and terminate this MOU with 20 days written notice to the other parties. Written notice shall be delivered personally to all parties, or sent to all parties via U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested.
Silsbee ISD trustees in May 2021 approved the formation of the SISD Police Department with Kenny Davenport as the first police chief.
—Dannie Oliveaux, Staff Reporter