[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6371109,"mediaKeyId","2150362-02bec96a2429880c705ab4655bb188f1","parentId",2150362,"title","TCOLE committee hears tighter pre-employment and fitness-for-duty processes, greater data visibility","audioSeconds",2055,"startMs",1665000,"endMs",3720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150362-02bec96a2429880c705ab4655bb188f1&start=1665&end=3720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150362-02bec96a2429880c705ab4655bb188f1/thumbnail_1665000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6371109/Texas/TCOLE-committee-hears-tighter-pre-employment-and-fitness-for-duty-processes-greater-data-visibility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371109-0d99e3347c8c2502c1221d3987f5129e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176027&Signature=Vjp4sJ8NZP1p8NNmTg0PEro08VHuR1v1b9ztnyQEtZJXLGoU4lwd8Vl6l0dirOxHWJ9JCpqw90C6fLQr75zLIwmI3xeJ8PbIqNsYU~qeJqK5j~nUzkpS1oCjnhFTH0W9M00uJ4wvVugPlx2XJNQR7Fy6vrsTddN~5ld~X-q-tzDnoLFm6KN2-c0IlYtuhu8-8gr01hNEbRzsGkm4XIxSXS9zD72BUHdM2TnFVP3npE2xybOHNLwc7hMkXFrCAOaJlwIhu2NaPFvJ-C2S1kfV3Pr-~UFo7vQ629pG1702ARUujeUggFMspmO3Y~ER8BIHqvN3TSbPzd5lazpRwJmEGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Commission on Law Enforcement","date","2025-01-25T12:00:59Z","article","Members of a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement advisory committee discussed recent changes to pre-employment psychological evaluations, fitness-for-duty procedures and TCOLE\u0000data collection after officers\u0000arrests.

Speakers described steps TCOLE has taken to tighten pre-employment evaluations: more standardized forms, clearer instructions that agencies rather than applicants should select examiners, and expanded packet contents sent between psychologists and agencies. \"The rule requires you to get all those things; that's now on the form,\" the presenter said, describing steps intended to reduce cases where applicants \"shop\" examiners or otherwise conceal relevant background information.

Dr. Kevin Smith, a clinical psychologist who conducts L-3 pre-employment/fitness assessments, told the committee that assessments look beyond diagnosable psychiatric illness to evaluate emotional regulation, judgment, impulse control, decision making, social skills and de-escalation ability. He and other speakers warned that examiner training and experience vary across the state and that small or remote jurisdictions sometimes lack access to qualified evaluators.

The committee reviewed TCOLE\u0000notifications such as the E-1 electronic arrest form and the agency's subscription to DPS arrest data, which now covers the large majority of licensees. TCOLE staff described how new digital reporting allows staff to build datasets showing trends (for example, arrests for DWI, repeat misconduct allegations, hiring and separation patterns) that could inform early-warning efforts and post-arrest communications.

Panelists discussed failure rates and the tension between two types of error: being overly strict (disqualifying candidates who would succeed in the job) versus too loose (hiring candidates who become liabilities). One psychologist said typical failure rates for L-3 evaluations run roughly 10\u001313% depending on the applicant pool and rigour of background investigations.

Committee members flagged practical issues for follow-up: how to increase the pool of qualified examiners in underserved areas, where to post guidance for agencies about choosing examiners and whether TCOLE should add training elements for agency administrators about early-warning indicators. TCOLE staff said they are preparing a training block and model policies that could be made available to chiefs and hiring officials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Licensee Wellness 01-23-25","oneSentenceSummary","Advisory committee members reviewed recent changes to TCOLE\u0000fitness-for-duty, applicant psychological evaluations, and arrest-notification processes and discussed gaps in examiner availability and consistency, especially for remote and small agencies.","taxTitle","Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, Boards & Commissions, Executive, Texas","taxId",36443,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371114,"TCOLE advisory committee forms subcommittees to build statewide wellness resources for licensees and agencies",3291,1105000,4396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150362-02bec96a2429880c705ab4655bb188f1&start=1105&end=4396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150362-02bec96a2429880c705ab4655bb188f1/thumbnail_1105000.jpg","/articles/6371114/Texas/TCOLE-advisory-committee-forms-subcommittees-to-build-statewide-wellness-resources-for-licensees-and-agencies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371114-d02385d613856ebbd3925a8377d7b79c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176027&Signature=OF1IZVm5k2WmCzrk3K86IC33MxrQ1aRlMVVQ3WnUO72gMUevtOQAwQYVg4I2Ee7rVEi53ZoK6Bzf-IFiypk1727ApBBo-w07rIcvqPTM1e3sNO1qV5HDS~dHtutF7CqgYkD0AsQ7h7Ezxy44zKbRKh9ySqNZEdVdhmPLgne6Fpy2riFHfMZWVz81aER49BPXwbvNB7lrY1kvD~4TCg4I8YQl8DNmxYH-xarKipHh3Rz77lqa31vuW0MVl73TgTvBs-eCEu61C6vxiZNtz6D66oLoAb1qAOe1iL2~2mu29vn~MRdFQ~pKugkmy0Sg-VIb8x~QvdMT0ttdkGYomWOXeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Deputy Jimmy Jackson, chair of an advisory committee convened by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, opened a meeting that resulted in the formation of two subcommittees aimed at improving wellness support for licensees across Texas. Members agreed the groups will (a) review TCOLE\u0000processes that follow arrests, failed evaluations and fit-for-duty referrals and (b) design a resource guide and early-warning guidance for agencies, officers, telecommunicators and family members.

The committee\u0000said the work responds to widely varying resources across the state. \"Sixty percent of the agencies have 10 or fewer appointed peace officers,\" said TJ Vineyard, enforcement division manager at the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, citing material he used from the Texas 2036 report. Committee members said small agencies often lack psychologists, peer-support networks and formal early-warning tools used by larger departments.

Committee members described two initial working groups. One will examine how TCOLE handles notifications such as the E-1 arrest notice, fitness-for-duty reports and applicant/employee evaluations and whether TCOLE can better communicate options and referrals to licensees and agency administrators. The other will draft a resource guide to live on TCOLE\u0000login pages (MyTCO or similar) with links tailored for administrators, officers, telecommunicators and family members; it will also consider sample early-warning indicators and sample policies for small agencies.

At the meeting the chair assigned the first group\u0000to Dr. Kevin Smith (clinical psychologist), Theresa Jamerson (licensed clinical counselor) and Chief Jeff Barnett of the Kyle Police Department as initial participants and asked the second group to develop a draft resource listing that could be posted and iterated. Committee members agreed subcommittees may meet virtually between full meetings and will report back to the full advisory committee for deliberation and any formal recommendations to the commissioners.

The committee set its next full meeting for Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. and instructed subcommittees to prepare an initial work product for review. The advisory group emphasized it seeks to connect existing programs and tools, not to create parallel statewide services: members repeatedly said the aim is better communication, easier access to existing peer-support, counseling and treatment resources, and clearer guidance to agency administrators and licensees when someone shows early signs of crisis.

The meeting concluded with a brief public comment period and an adjournment motion that passed without recorded opposition.","An advisory committee convened by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement agreed to form two subcommittees to (1) review TCOLE\u0000procedures when licensees face arrest or fitness-for-duty concerns and (2) develop a public-facing resource guide and early-warning guidance for agencies, officers, telecommunicators and families.","actionData","errors"]

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TCOLE committee hears tighter pre-employment and fitness-for-duty processes, greater data visibility

TCOLE advisory committee forms subcommittees to build statewide wellness resources for licensees and agencies