By Kris Smith, Publisher
Notified last week by letter, Trinidad Mayor Dennis Haws was informed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), the state agency that regulates and enforces standards to ensure that the people of Texas are served by highly trained and ethical law enforcement, corrections, and telecommunications personnel.
According to the letter, on August 5, TCOLE launched their investigation by Sergeant David New, Sergeant Trevor Michna, and Specialist Sergeant Denise Pace, by conducting a law enforcement agency inspection.
Based on the findings of the inspection, the agency failed to meet the minimum requirements by providing evidentiary proof of the following standards:
- Provides public benefit to the community
- Has physical resources available to officers – at least one bullet-resistant vest per officer on duty
- Has physical facilities, specifically an evidence room or other acceptable secure evidence storage for officers
- Has established policies and procedures on – The use of force, Vehicle pursuits, professional conduct of offices, domestic abuse protocols, response to missing persons, supervision of part-time officers, impartial policing, medical and psychological examination of licensees, active shooters, barricaded subjects, evidence collection and handling, eyewitness identification, misconduct investigations, hiring a license holder, personnel files, uniform and dress code, training required to maintain licensure, and outside and off-duty employment
- Has an established administrative structure, including – a projection for the number of full-time peace offices, part-time peace officers, and unpaid peace officers that the agency would employ during the year, if at full-staffing.
Additionally, the letter stated, The Trinidad Police Department does not meet the minimum statutory requirements under 37 Texas Administrative Code §211.16 and effective September 18, 2026, the Trinidad Police Department’s authority to make or continue appointments is revoked. As a result of this revocation, all TCOLE licensees appointed by the Trinidad Police Department must be separated from the agency before September 18, 2026.
The city of Trinidad must retain all personnel records in accordance for a period of 5 years and must be shared with other law enforcement agencies which might consider hiring those same licensees during that period.
Further, TPD must report all motor vehicle stop data from 2026 to the appropriate agencies.
Also, the letter states that any unresolved allegations of misconduct against any Trinidad Police Department licensees must be investigated, resolved, documented, and reported to TCOLE within 30 days from the licensee’s departure from the agency.
Effectively, the letter disbands the Trinidad Police Department until such time as the issues are resolved and further investigation is conducted and completed by TCOLE.
Around the same time as the resignation of former TPD Chief Charles Gregory landed on the Trinidad City Council’s agenda in June, Henderson County 392nd District Judge Scott McKee issued a warning to Gregory about officers withholding information from the court.
In July, Interim Police Chief Cameron Beckham was appointed by Trinidad City Council.
In August 2026, the Henderson County District Attorney’s office issued a statement to TPD, stating they would not accept or prosecute cases that are investigated by the agency.
As always, the Tri-County Chronicle will continue to follow this case and will update as necessary.