The Galveston Police Department has nearly completed a comprehensive review and update of its policies to ensure best practices and is publishing a working draft of the department's policy manual for public review and comment.
The policy review forum is part of the Galveston Police Department's commitment to transparency and maintaining trust between the Department and the people we serve.
Police leadership and the City Attorney's Office are reviewing the department's policy manual, which covers more than 150 sections of procedures and protocols for areas such as use of force, recruitment and selection, traffic, internal affairs and court appearances.
The policy draft for review is based on both legal reviews of the current statutes and best practices for law enforcement from top experts in the state and country.
"We’re pleased at all the work that has gone into this policy review and the opportunity to publish it for our residents to review. We look forward to receiving public feedback,” Chief Vernon Hale said.
The policy manual covers all areas of the department's operations and the comprehensive review was initiated more than a year ago. The department does routinely update its policies to reflect changes to law and best practices; however, this is the first time the department has published the vast majority of its policy manual online.
We invite our residents to share their suggestions and we look forward to receiving comments and recommendations. If comparing Galveston’s policy to that of another department or agency, please provide the source, legal basis, or agency currently using the recommend language or procedure. Also, please note the specific part of the department’s policy related to the comment or recommendation to submit a public comment, please complete the form here: https://forms.galvestontx.gov/Forms/GPDPublicComment
The comment period will remain open from Friday, October 9 through Friday, October 23. When the comment period closes, GPD, the City Attorney, and City leadership will review and consider your comments before finalizing the policy manual. Any changes to the policies will be published on the website.
Select policies are not being published due to the sensitive nature of the information. The policies excluded are Crisis Response Unit (SWAT Operations), Hostage and Barricade Incidents, Response to Bomb Calls, Rapid Response and Deployment, and Informants.
The policies are available online at galvestontx.gov/gpdpolicyreview.