HUNTINGTON, TX - Last Tuesday, the Huntington City Council approved an update to the Huntington Police Department's officer policy manual.
In this update, the department adopted a significantly expanded set of guidelines intended to clarify procedures and better protect both officers and the city, according to the Lufkin Daily News.
Police Chief Brandon Lovell told the city council that the revised policy replaces an outdated manual that had not undergone a full overhaul in several years. The new version draws from policies used by similarly sized departments and incorporates updated standards, legal guidance, and operational practices.
"It's rather lengthy, but we've obtained an updated policy, which was needed, and brought it from other departments — a lot the same size as ours," Lovell said. "There's some stuff in there that just covers us in so many different ways."
The chief said that the updated policy addresses a wide range of scenarios and procedures, including departmental programs and evolving state requirements. Some additions, he said, are designed to spell out expectations clearly, which the department's previous policy lacked.
City Council members acknowledged the length and complexity of the new policy, emphasizing its importance. "Updating policy is not a fun process, but it's absolutely necessary so that we can keep in front of the times and the changes," Councilwoman Twila Bertrand said.
"I know that there was a lot of work on your behalf spearheading that, so we really appreciate your effort." Also approved in the city council meeting was a resolution authorizing the city's participation in the Texas Home Investment Partnerships Program homeowner reconstruction program and designating city administrator Bill Stewart as the city's authorized signatory.
In this update, the department adopted a significantly expanded set of guidelines intended to clarify procedures and better protect both officers and the city, according to the Lufkin Daily News.
Police Chief Brandon Lovell told the city council that the revised policy replaces an outdated manual that had not undergone a full overhaul in several years. The new version draws from policies used by similarly sized departments and incorporates updated standards, legal guidance, and operational practices.
"It's rather lengthy, but we've obtained an updated policy, which was needed, and brought it from other departments — a lot the same size as ours," Lovell said. "There's some stuff in there that just covers us in so many different ways."
The chief said that the updated policy addresses a wide range of scenarios and procedures, including departmental programs and evolving state requirements. Some additions, he said, are designed to spell out expectations clearly, which the department's previous policy lacked.
City Council members acknowledged the length and complexity of the new policy, emphasizing its importance. "Updating policy is not a fun process, but it's absolutely necessary so that we can keep in front of the times and the changes," Councilwoman Twila Bertrand said.
"I know that there was a lot of work on your behalf spearheading that, so we really appreciate your effort." Also approved in the city council meeting was a resolution authorizing the city's participation in the Texas Home Investment Partnerships Program homeowner reconstruction program and designating city administrator Bill Stewart as the city's authorized signatory.
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