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5 Critical Ways The Texarkana Texas Police Department Is Redefining Community Policing In 2025

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The Texarkana Texas Police Department (TTPD) stands as a pillar of law enforcement for the Texas side of the unique border city, consistently adapting its strategies to meet the evolving needs of its diverse community. As of December 24, 2025, the department continues its mission to reduce both crime and the fear of crime, focusing heavily on professional standards, robust training, and deep community engagement, all while operating in the complex environment of Bowie County.

The TTPD is not just a reactive force; it is a proactive organization that prioritizes building trust and transparency. Its commitment to excellence is underscored by its long-standing accreditation, a testament to its adherence to the highest standards of Texas law enforcement. This focus on professionalism ensures that the approximately 91 officers serving the city are equipped, trained, and ready for the challenges of modern policing.

Texarkana Texas Police Department: Leadership and Professional Profile

The Texarkana Texas Police Department operates under a clear, accredited, and professional structure, ensuring accountability and adherence to established best practices. The department’s commitment to internal standards is documented in its comprehensive General Orders Manual, which covers everything from administration to professional conduct.

  • Agency Name: Texarkana Texas Police Department (TTPD)
  • Jurisdiction: City of Texarkana, Texas (Bowie County)
  • Location: 100 N. State Line Ave. #16, Texarkana, TX 75501-5666
  • Chief of Police: Kevin Schutte
  • Personnel Strength: Approximately 91 sworn officers
  • Accreditation Status: Accredited by the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA) since 2008
  • Core Mission Focus: Reducing crime and the fear of crime through community-oriented policing.
  • Key Internal Documents: General Orders Manual, Organizational Chart (Directive 1.01.1)

Chief Kevin Schutte has consistently emphasized the importance of a strong relationship between the police and the citizens they serve. His leadership focuses on maintaining the department's accredited status, which signifies a voluntary commitment to a set of recognized professional standards for Texas law enforcement agencies.

1. The TTPD’s Unwavering Commitment to Professional Standards

The foundation of the TTPD’s operational success is its dedication to maintaining a high level of professionalism. Achieving and maintaining accreditation from the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA) is a rigorous process that the department has upheld since 2008. This voluntary compliance with state-recognized standards is a powerful public signal of the department's commitment to accountability, efficiency, and fairness.

A Culture of Continuous Training and Policy Review

The General Orders Manual serves as the blueprint for all operations, covering critical areas such as training, personnel, and professional conduct. This document is continually reviewed and updated to reflect the latest best practices in law enforcement, including policies on use of force, vehicular pursuits, and internal affairs. The emphasis on the Organizational Chart ensures a clear chain of command and operational clarity for all officers and staff.

Furthermore, policy updates are often influenced by the broader Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) adjustments, which can impact the recruitment and retention of experienced officers. For instance, changes in the full retirement rate for 2025 to 2026 are crucial considerations for the department's long-term staffing strategy.

The proximity of the Texarkana College Police Department also fosters a collaborative environment, ensuring a unified security approach for local educational institutions and often leading to shared training opportunities and resource coordination within the Bowie County area.

2. Forging Trust Through Key Community Outreach Programs

Modern policing recognizes that effective crime prevention starts with community trust. The TTPD has implemented several strategic programs designed to break down barriers and foster positive interactions between officers and residents.

The Citizens Police Academy

One of the department's most successful initiatives is the "Citizens Police Academy," often referred to as "The Policing Program." This program is a six-week, one-night-per-week course designed to give citizens a hands-on, in-depth look at what police officers do every day. Led by dedicated personnel like Lt. Shawn Fitzgerald, the academy covers various aspects of law enforcement operations, from patrol procedures to criminal investigations. This initiative is a cornerstone of the department's transparency efforts, demystifying police work for the public.

"Story Time at the Station" and Youth Engagement

In a direct effort to build positive relationships with the city's youngest residents, the TTPD launched "Story Time at the Station." This innovative community outreach program invites children to the police station for a relaxed, fun environment where officers read to them. This simple but powerful initiative helps children see officers as approachable, friendly figures, strengthening the community's bond with the department from an early age. The success of this program underscores the TTPD’s commitment to early intervention and positive youth development.

3. Addressing Public Safety: Recent Incidents and Strategic Response

Texarkana, like any growing metropolitan area, faces continuous public safety challenges. The TTPD is frequently in the news for its critical response to major incidents, which often involve complex investigations handled by the department’s specialized units.

Recent reports have highlighted the TTPD’s rigorous investigative work following serious incidents, such as multiple weekend shootings that left victims in critical condition or complex domestic violence cases. The department’s ability to quickly launch investigations, secure scenes, and make arrests—such as the case involving a father charged with shooting his son—demonstrates the operational readiness of its investigative and patrol divisions.

The TTPD’s strategic response to these events is not just about arrests; it's about deploying resources efficiently to stabilize the community and prevent future violence. This involves close coordination with other agencies in the Texarkana Metro area, including the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, to address crime that transcends the state line.

4. The TTPD’s Role in the Broader Texarkana Metro Area

The unique geographic position of Texarkana—straddling the Texas-Arkansas state line—requires a level of inter-agency cooperation that is rare. The TTPD is a key participant in the Texarkana Metro law enforcement network, ensuring that seamless jurisdiction and resource sharing occurs when major incidents or emergencies affect the entire city.

This collaboration is vital for operations like the joint Metro Operations Center, which is activated when a major incident requires a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional response. This integrated approach allows the TTPD to leverage resources from its Arkansas counterpart and Bowie County Sheriff’s Office, enhancing the overall safety and security of the region.

5. Future Focus: Transparency and Modernization

Looking ahead into 2026, the TTPD is poised to continue its modernization efforts. The department's General Orders Manual already covers the operational directives for modern policing tools, and ongoing training ensures that officers are prepared for evolving challenges.

The focus remains on transparency, driven by Chief Schutte’s vision of providing services that not only reduce crime but also build public confidence. Initiatives like the Citizens Police Academy and "Story Time at the Station" are expected to expand, solidifying the TTPD's reputation as a progressive, community-focused law enforcement agency committed to the people of Texarkana, Texas. The department’s long-standing Texas Police Chiefs Association accreditation will continue to serve as the benchmark for its professional conduct.

5 Critical Ways the Texarkana Texas Police Department is Redefining Community Policing in 2025
texarkana texas police department
texarkana texas police department

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