5 Reasons Why The City Of Boerne Police Department Is Setting The Standard For Modern Texas Law Enforcement
The City of Boerne Police Department (BPD), a cornerstone of public safety in the Texas Hill Country, has recently solidified its reputation as a premier law enforcement agency, driven by a commitment to community-centric policing and modern operational excellence. As of late 2025, the department continues to make headlines not just for its effective crime fighting, but for its innovative approach to mental health crises and its deep engagement with the local Boerne community.
This comprehensive look at the BPD reveals the strategic leadership, fresh initiatives, and key personnel responsible for maintaining the high quality of life that residents of the City of Boerne expect. The department's focus on transparency, professional accreditation, and specialized units demonstrates a forward-thinking model for law enforcement across the state of Texas.
Chief Steve Perez: Biography and Vision for a Modern Department
The leadership of the Boerne Police Department is anchored by Chief Steve Perez, who was officially sworn in as the sixth Chief of Police on February 25, 2022.
- Full Name: Steve Perez
- Current Role: Chief of Police, City of Boerne Police Department
- Sworn In: February 25, 2022
- Department Tenure: A distinguished 22-year veteran of the Boerne Police Department before becoming Chief.
- Hometown: Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas.
- Military Service: Began his career with a four-year stint in the United States Army before transitioning to law enforcement in 1998.
- Department History: He is the sixth individual to hold the Chief of Police title since the department’s establishment in 1953.
- Leadership Focus: Chief Perez has emphasized community education, professional accreditation, and the development of specialized units, such as the Mental Health Unit, as core tenets of his tenure.
Chief Perez’s vision has been instrumental in steering the BPD toward a model that prioritizes proactive community partnership alongside traditional policing duties, ensuring the department remains responsive to the unique challenges of a rapidly growing region like Kendall County.
1. Achieving Elite Professional Standards: The TPCA Re-Accreditation
One of the most significant recent achievements for the City of Boerne Police Department is its re-recognition as an Accredited Law Enforcement Agency by the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA).
This status is a powerful indicator of the department’s commitment to excellence and adherence to hundreds of best-practice standards in law enforcement. The BPD is one of only a small number of agencies in Texas—out of more than 2,700—to achieve this elite accreditation.
The Importance of TPCA Accreditation
The accreditation process involves a rigorous external review of the department's policies, procedures, operations, and management. Key areas evaluated include:
- Policy Standards: Ensuring all operational procedures align with state and national best practices.
- Use of Force: Strict guidelines and training protocols for the appropriate use of force.
- Property and Evidence Management: Secure and professional handling of all seized and recovered property.
- Emergency Management: Preparedness and response protocols for critical incidents.
- Training and Personnel: High standards for officer training, development, and ethical conduct under the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) framework.
The re-accreditation, recognized in 2024, underscores the BPD’s dedication to transparency and accountability to the citizens of Boerne, elevating its status among law enforcement agencies statewide.
2. Proactive Policing: Recent High-Profile Arrests and Investigations
The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and patrol officers of the BPD have been actively working on numerous significant cases, ensuring the swift resolution of crimes impacting the community. The department’s recent activity highlights its effectiveness in addressing varied criminal activity, from school threats to property crimes and felony offenses.
Key Incidents and Outcomes (2024–2025)
The following incidents demonstrate the BPD's current operational focus:
- School Threat Resolution: In January 2024, the BPD quickly apprehended a juvenile suspect following a credible threat made against Champion High School, showcasing a rapid and effective response to protect the Boerne Independent School District (BISD).
- Auto Dealer Fraud Case: In a major case involving consumer protection, Boerne police arrested two auto dealers, Richard Dean Hovey Sr. and Richard Dean Hovey Jr., in April 2024, on charges related to deceptive business practices. The department and the Kendall County District Attorney’s Office are actively seeking additional victims in this ongoing investigation.
- High-Speed Chase Sentencing: A Hill Country man was sentenced to 30 years in prison in February 2024 for leading Boerne police officers on a dangerous high-speed motorcycle chase on Texas 46, emphasizing the BPD's commitment to traffic enforcement and public safety.
- Child Endangerment Conviction: In August 2024, a man was sentenced to 21 months for abandoning and endangering an 8-year-old, a case successfully investigated by BPD officers.
- Property Crime Arrests: The department was also instrumental in the arrest of a San Antonio man in September 2024 for stealing a vehicle from Mark Motors, a testament to their collaboration with other agencies and use of security footage.
These cases, which frequently involve collaboration with the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office and other regional partners, confirm the BPD’s role in maintaining law and order and delivering justice to victims.
3. Innovative Community Engagement and Specialized Units
The City of Boerne Police Department has moved beyond traditional patrol methods by investing heavily in specialized units and community outreach programs designed to address the root causes of crime and build public trust.
The Groundbreaking Mental Health Unit
A year after its launch, the BPD’s dedicated Mental Health Unit has been cited as a major success, with its officer-in-charge reporting significant progress in community education. This unit is crucial for de-escalating crises, connecting vulnerable individuals with essential services, and reducing the likelihood of a police response resulting in an arrest or injury. It represents a progressive shift in how the department handles calls involving mental health issues.
Divisions and Specialized Details
The BPD’s organizational structure includes several key divisions that provide specialized services:
- Criminal Investigations Division (CID): Comprised of detectives and a property and evidence technician, the CID handles all major felony and complex investigations, with detectives continually cross-trained to handle a variety of cases.
- K-9 Detail: The highly trained K-9 Unit is a vital asset, capable of responding to missing persons, tracking criminal suspects, conducting building searches, and detecting narcotics.
- Patrol Division: The backbone of the department, responsible for traffic enforcement, accident investigation, and first response to all emergency and non-emergency calls.
Deep Community Programs
Building a strong relationship with the public is a core mission, accomplished through several annual and ongoing programs:
- Safety Town: An annual summer program hosted by the BPD for children entering kindergarten, teaching vital safety lessons in a fun, interactive environment.
- Citizens Law Enforcement Academy: A collaborative program with the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department and the Kendall County Sheriff's Office, offering residents a hands-on look at law enforcement operations.
- Junior Cadet Program (Explorer Post 413): Part of the nationwide Exploring program, this initiative mentors young adults interested in law enforcement careers, teaching them important life and career skills.
These community-focused efforts are central to the BPD’s strategy, fostering a strong partnership between officers and the residents they serve, which is a critical component of effective crime prevention in Boerne.
4. Transparency Through Data and Reporting
The Boerne Police Department maintains a high level of transparency by regularly publishing detailed reports and crime statistics. This practice allows the public to monitor the department's activity and understand crime trends in the area.
Each year, the department releases its Racial Profiling Report, which details all traffic stops and the demographics involved, ensuring accountability and adherence to fair policing practices. Furthermore, comprehensive reports on crime incidents, arrests, accidents, and traffic stops are made available, providing a clear picture of public safety efforts within the City of Boerne.
5. Future-Forward Focus on Growth and Technology
As the Texas Hill Country continues to experience rapid population growth, the Boerne Police Department is strategically planning for the future. The department consistently invests in new technology and training to manage increased traffic volume, address sophisticated cybercrimes, and maintain a swift response time across the city limits.
The BPD’s focus on maintaining its Texas Police Chiefs Association accreditation and continually evaluating its specialized units ensures it is prepared to meet the evolving needs of the community, securing its place as a recognized leader in modern municipal law enforcement.
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