The Rosenberg Police Department received a certificate of reaccreditation from the Texas Police Chiefs Association at the Oct. 21 Rosenberg City Council meeting, a recognition staff said reflects compliance with 173 standards covering police operations and best practices.

Rick Ash, police chief of the City of Liberty and an assessor for the TPCA accreditation program, presented the certificate and described the program as voluntary but demanding, requiring agencies to demonstrate compliance with standards rooted in Texas law, case rulings and professional best practices. City officials recognized Chief Jonathan White and the department’s work to sustain the accreditation through regular reporting and periodic re-inspection every four years.

Later in the meeting the mayor and staff recognized Christy Garza and volunteers for services supporting the Rosenberg Animal Control and Shelter and announced two upcoming events: a drive-through microchip and vaccine clinic scheduled for Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (1208 Fifth Street) and a Halloween adoption event on Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the shelter (1207 Blumey Road) where adoption fees are waived.

The mayor told the council that the city intends to adopt a municipal ordinance requiring microchipping and rabies vaccination for pets and that the city will later set penalties for noncompliance. Staff said the October 22 clinic will offer up to 75 microchips and rabies vaccines free to Rosenberg and Richmond residents (first-come, first-served) with verification of address; technicians at the event will also help residents verify and update microchip registration information.

Council members and staff said the combined outreach events and volunteers help the city maintain its no-kill shelter policy and promote adopted pets being microchipped before leaving the shelter. City staff asked that residents check microchip registration details when they receive an implant, because an out-of-date owner address can hinder reunification.

No formal vote was required for either the accreditation recognition or the announcement of the proposed microchipping ordinance; the council marked both items as presentations/announcements and as expressions of city policy direction rather than finalized regulation.