ROBSTOWN, Texas —
It's been over ten years since Robstown ISD had a law enforcement program for students. Once the new school year starts, however, that will change.
Classes for their Public Service Law Enforcement Program of Study pathway will start in the fall and guide students through real-world experiences that officers face on a daily basis.
Robstown ISD’s CTE programs coordinator, Benito Portillo said he looks forward to connecting students with a career that's in such high demand.
"Students would pick up skills such as how courts work, what skills are needed to become an effective police officer, communication skills, document reporting, how to properly handcuff someone, how to put somebody in the back of a cop car," Portillo said.
Robstown Police Chief Mike Tamez said the new law enforcement program will be extremely valuable to students who may be considering finding a career, not only as a police officer but also public service.
"It's multi-benefited when you look at something like this, right? Because if we can get police officers out of it, which we terribly need, throughout the country not just in Robstown," Tamez said. "Even if they chose to go a different route, at least they get to see it from an aspect of what public safety and public service is all about."
Ahead of the district's new program's start, they are applying for a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission that could bring the district new supplies.
That would include walkie-talkies, vests and even a dispatcher simulator.
To increase their chances of receiving that grant, the district's Director of Public Safety, Filiberto Tagle was tasked with gathering letters of support from city and county departments that would be sent to the state.
"We reach out whenever we need any support from the police department, the constable's office, the fire department, first responders in general," Tagle said. "It's awesome that we have that relationship, they're there whenever we need them, especially things like this that help us grow as a community."
The district will find out in the fall if they receive the grant.
Portillo told 3NEWS that the new program will move forward, regardless of if the district receives the grant or not.