Austin-area ISD establishing its own police force

The Lake Travis school board furthered the process of starting a district police department last week.

The board voted Wednesday in a short, allvirtual meeting during the winter storm to approve an agreement with Lakeway to provide dispatch service to the future department for the district, which is located west of Austin. Establishing a dispatch service is a key part of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement application process for new law enforcement agencies.

Superintendent Paul Norton said Lakeway already provides dispatch services for Bee Cave police and approving this agreement is cheaper than hiring someone to fulfill the district’s dispatch needs.

The board also voted to update its policy regarding security personnel. The district’s legal counsel, Amber King, explained that the policy outlines supervisory authority, jurisdiction, limitations and other aspects of how the district’s security will function to pave the way for the department’s launch.