101 E. Del Mar Blvd.
Laredo, Texas 78045
Phone: (956) 473-6361
Fax: (956) 473-6366

Ray Garner
Chief of Police
(956) 473-6361

Clemente Camarillo, Captain
Aaron Salazar, Lieutenant

Mission

The UISD Police Department is committed to providing the highest quality of police service to the citizens and visitors of our district by aiding in the development and implementation of a well-defined plan to promote discipline and safety and to prevent drugs and violence on our campuses.

The United I.S.D. Police Department is a group of dedicated professionals committed to support the district’s mission by providing service-oriented enforcement of the law, maintaining the peace and protecting our school community.

The department is comprised of 52 sworn peace officers, 98 security officers, 4 K-9 Handlers, 5 staff members, and 5 radio operators. All police officers of this department are licensed peace officers of the State of Texas. They have full arrest powers and all rights, privileges and immunities similar to municipal police officers.

Additionally, officers are assigned to the Gang Unit, K-9 Unit, F.T.O. Program, Honor Guard, and Campus Crime Stoppers. These units work in conjunction with local law enforcement authorities and other related departments. The focus of all officers is to work as a positive influence on students and to protect the schools by providing a safe learning environment.

The UISD Police Department supports the district’s mission statement, “United, we inspire all students”.

Jurisdiction

The United Independent School District surrounds the City of Laredo, Texas, with more than 40 schools and facilities spanning approximately 2,442 square – miles and serving over 35,000 students.

The jurisdiction of peace officers is all territory within the boundaries of the District that is owned, leased, or rented by or otherwise under the District’s control.

Support Divisions

Criminal Investigations Division

The criminal investigations division is responsible for conducting follow-up investigations and case management for crimes against persons or property occurring within the jurisdiction of the United Independent School District.

Communications Division The communications division is responsible for the direction and control of all police radio communications, receiving calls for service and information from district students, employees and citizens, monitoring the district camera systems, and providing requested information to field officers.

K-9 Handlers

The UISD K-9 Handlers Program was introduced to United Independent School District in October 2003 to deter the introduction of illegal drugs to school and to confiscate them when they are detected.

Our department currently has four working K-9 Handlers. These four teams are trained and certified as working canines. We take great pride in our dogs. They are well trained, sociable and respond to handler’s every command. Our teams are a wonderful public relations tool by providing demonstrations at our schools.

Each K-9 team is outfitted with the basic equipment as required based on the dog’s specialty. The patrol vehicles which are assigned to the handlers are specially equipped to allow a comfortable and secure area for the dog to ride on patrol.

Our canines are used for the detection of illegal drugs. The K-9 Handlers make random campus inspections in all middle schools and high schools including the Step Academy (UISD Alternative School).

F.T.O. Program

In September 2005, the UISD Police Department implemented a Field Training Program for new officers. The program was reviewed and updated in 2009. The program has three training phases. Each phase consists of introducing the trainee with real life situations that are commonly encountered day to day by UISD Police Officers. A method of problem based learning is used to teach the trainees. This is accomplished by assigning the trainee to a campus to work along side an experienced officer. The trainee is evaluated on different areas of police work, depending on the level of expectancy each phase demands. When faced with a real life situation during each phase, the trainee is expected to ask questions, hypothesize, research and solve the problem is a safe and professional manner. The trainee is expected to demonstrate basic police skills throughout every phase. This program has been modified from traditional field training programs in order to meet the department needs. The program will help accomplish the department’s mission to our youth, as officers guide them in a positive and professional manner.