STARBASE — The search to establish a local police department continues as commissioners interview candidates for a police chief, plan uniforms and branding, and police equipment leases.
The city has received strong applicants with a couple of people in second interviews for police chief, said Assistant City Administrator Cayetana Polanco.
Last month, the city approved an ordinance to establish the city of Starbase Police Department.
“We’re excited to move forward with this important step for our growing community,” Polanco said in an email earlier this month.
Currently, the city of Starbase contracts with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement and SpaceX has its own security to protect infrastructure in the company town.
Polanco said they met with the Cameron County sheriff and the chief deputy last week. They also met with the South Padre Island police chief and captain and talked about how they would collaborate in the future.
The city will also host a meet-and-greet with law enforcement once the police chief is hired, according to Polanco.
Commissioners hired consultants from Vision Quest Solutions for advice on initial candidates and on getting accreditation from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
The city hopes to achieve accreditation by the summer, according to Polanco.
“To establish a new police agency, you have to show that your community can sustain it,” said consultant Ben Rieves.
“If there’s an emergency call out here, they send somebody just like anywhere else in the county,” said Rieves.
“This is a pretty close knit community,” said Rieves, adding that the idea would be that officers are living here and are part of the community.
He said that the consulting firm gave suggestions on branding based on what’s common for other police departments.
“Their image is pretty important to them,” Rieves continued. “They’re more creative than we are.”
At Wednesday’s commissioners meeting, officials passed a purchasing policy that would help them join co-ops for competitive pricing on equipment and prioritize local suppliers, according to Polanco.
Permit spaces have been issued on police department office space and the space should be built out about three weeks from the starting date, according to Polanco.
Two city of Starbase residents declined to comment. Commissioners did not respond to interview requests about the police department.
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