Police Department
MISSION STATEMENT
VISION STATEMENT
AUTHORITY OF DISTRICT POLICE OFFICERS
All West Orange-Cove CISD police personnel are certified Texas Peace officers.
All WOCCISD police officers have the powers, privileges, and immunities of peace officers. They may enforce all laws, including municipal ordinances, county ordinances, and state laws, and may take a juvenile into custody.
WOCCISD police officers must meet all minimum standards for peace officers established by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
All officers have district-wide jurisdiction and may be called to any campus or bus at any time, 24 hours a day.
Police vehicles are equipped with certified radar units for traffic enforcement.
SCHOOL ZONE VIOLATIONS
There are special laws regarding the protection and safety of our children in and around school zones. These laws are subject to change without notice by the legislature. This is a short guide to help provide education about a few common offenses that occur in and around schools.
SPEEDING IN A SCHOOL ZONE
A speeding citation in a school zone is typically a much higher fine amount than a speeding citation issued outside of a school zone. Both the fine amounts and court costs are higher when in these zones. You may still be eligible to complete a driver’s safety course or deferred disposition for dismissal of your citation.
CELL PHONE USAGE
It is illegal to use your cell phone while driving anywhere on school property. The Texas Legislature expanded this law to include parking lots or any other school property – in addition to school zones. You may, however, use hands-free wireless devices, use a cell phone while your car is in a parked position, or use a cell phone to make an emergency phone call.
PASSING A SCHOOL BUS
The 2013 Legislature Session increased the minimum fine amount for passing a school bus to $500 plus court costs for a first offense. For a second offense, the minimum fine amount has been increased to $1,000 plus court costs. If you are charged with this offense, please contact the court for your total amount due (fine + court costs).
OPEN CARRY FAQS
Recent legislative changes, effective January 1st, 2016, make it lawful to openly carry firearms in the state of Texas under certain circumstances. The new open carry legislation is currently being reviewed and interpreted by various governmental entities, including but not limited to the Attorney General of Texas. Therefore, the interpretation and release of information concerning these laws' application and effect with respect to public schools is ongoing.
- Can handguns/firearms be carried openly or concealed on school grounds and other buildings on school property? No, Texas law prohibits open or concealed carry of handguns and other prohibited weapons on a school or educational institution's physical premises. The term " premises" is defined by law as a building or a portion of a building.
- Can handguns/firearms be carried openly or concealed on school grounds and other buildings on school property?
Texas law also prohibits open or concealed carry of handguns and other prohibited weapons on any grounds or buildings in which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted. While Texas law does not define the terms "grounds" or "school-sponsored activity," West Orange-Cove CISD interprets these terms to include all district property where students are regularly present during regular school hours and other hours determined by individual campuses, including, but not limited to:
1. Playground areas.
2. Practice fields.
3. Sidewalks and courtyards used by students that connect buildings and temporary buildings on school campuses.
4. Outdoor areas used for science experiments.
5. Areas of parking lots in which temporary buildings are located.
6. Parents drop off and pick up lanes and/or areas as determined by each campus at a minimum of one hour before school and one hour after dismissal.
7. Board meetings. - Can handguns/firearms be carried openly or concealed in school parking lots, driveways, and other parking areas? Yes, but only during times when a school-sponsored activity is not being conducted in the parking lot, driveway, or other parking areas. For example, if the school parking lot is used for band practice after school, handguns/firearms or other prohibited weapons cannot be carried openly or concealed in that parking lot when the band is practicing. However, during the time when the parking lot is used solely for vehicles, open and/or concealed carry by parents and other visitors is lawful in these areas.
- Can handguns/firearms be carried openly or concealed on public sidewalks or walkways surrounding school campuses? Yes, as long as no school-sponsored activity or event is being conducted.
- Can handguns/firearms be carried openly or concealed at school-sponsored activities or events? Texas law prohibits open or concealed carry of handguns and other prohibited weapons at school-sponsored activities or events regardless of whether the activities or events occur on or off school property.
- Are West Orange-Cove ISD campuses required to post signage regarding the prohibition against open carry in school buildings? West Orange-Cove CISD does have signage posted at its campuses and other buildings to serve as a friendly and courteous reminder. However, West Orange-Cove CISD is not required to post signage to address open carry because the law expressly prohibits the carrying of handguns (openly or concealed) inside school buildings, any grounds, or building where a school-sponsored activity/event is taking place in the school district passenger vehicles, and at school board meetings.
- Are West Orange-Cove ISD employees allowed to possess and/or carry handguns (openly or concealed) on school district property? West Orange-Cove CISD Police Officers, whether in uniform or plain clothes, normally carry firearms. State law provides an option for the District to have school marshals who would be specially trained staff members per state law to carry firearms. The District will not confirm or deny the presence of armed marshals at campuses or facilities. Board policy prohibits employees from bringing firearms on District property.
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Hold is followed by the Directive: "In Your Room or Area" and is the protocol used when hallways need to kept clear of occupants. |
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Secure is followed by the Directive: "Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors" and is the protocol used to safeguard people within the building. |
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Lockdown is followed by "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight" and is the protocol used to secure individual rooms and keep occupants quiet and in place. |
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Evacuate and may be followed by a location, and is used to move people from one location to a different location in or out of the building. |
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Shelter State the Hazard and Safety Strategy for group and self protection. |
Reunification Guide
Student/Parent Reunification
(diríjase hasta abajo para accesar un documento con esta información en español)Circumstances may occur at the school that require parents to pick up their students in a formalized, controlled release. This process is called a Reunification and may be necessary due to weather, a power outage, hazmat or if a crisis occurs at the school. The Standard Reunification Method is a protocol that makes this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved. Because a reunification is not a typical end of school day event, a reunification may occur at a different location than the school a student attends. If this location is another school, then those students may be subject to a controlled release as well.
Notification
Parents will be notified in a number of ways. The district will communicate through email, text messages and automatic phone call notifications. In some cases, students may be asked to send a text message to their parents.Parent/Guardian Expectations
If a parent or guardian is notified that a reunification is needed, there are some expectations that parents or guardians should be aware of. First, bring identification. That will streamline things during reunification. Second, be patient. Reunification is a process that protects both the safety of the student and provides for an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized custodial parent or guardian.What If a Parent Cannot Pick-Up Their Student?
When a parent can’t immediately go to the reunification site, students will only be released to individuals previously identified as a student’s emergency contact. Otherwise, the school will hold students until parents can pick up their student.What If the Student Drove to School?
There may be instances where a student may not be allowed to remove a vehicle from the parking lot. In this case, parents are advised to recover the student. In some circumstances, high school students may be released on their own.How It Works
For students, the school asks that students be orderly and quiet while waiting. Students may be asked to text a message to their parents or guardians. Students are also asked not to send other text messages either in or out of the school or reunification area. Keeping the cellular network usage at a minimum may be important during a reunification.Reunification Cards
For parents, there are a couple of steps. If a parent is driving to the school, greater awareness of traffic and emergency vehicles is advised. Parents should park where indicated and not abandon vehicles. Parents are asked to go to the Reunification “Check In” area and form lines based on the first letter of their student’s last name. While in line, parents are asked to fill out a reunification card. This card is perforated and will be separated during the process. Some of the same information is repeated on both the top and separated bottom of the card. Parents are asked to complete all parts of the card. In the case of multiple students being reunified, a separate card for each student needs to be completed.Sample reunification card:
Bring ID To Check In
During check in, identification and custody rights are confirmed. The card is separated and the bottom half given back to the parent. From the “Check In” area parents are directed to the “Reunification” area. There, a runner will take the bottom half of the card and take it to the Student Assembly Area to recover the student or students. Parents should be aware that in some cases, they may be invited into the building for further information.Interviews and Counseling
In some cases, parents may be advised that a law enforcement investigation is underway and may be advised that interviews are necessary. In extreme cases, parents may be pulled aside for emergency or medical information.FORMS AND DOCUMENTS
