About Southlake Police Department

The Southlake Police Department is committed to professionalism and transparency. Maintaining the highest standard of safety, protection, and compassion is key to a high quality of life for those that live, work and visit Southlake.   Police Chief James Brandon, the leadership team, police officers and civilian staff work to protect and serve the citizens of Southlake. 

 The Southlake Police Department command staff is comprised of the Police Chief, the Assistant Police Chief, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Captain, the Patrol Captain, and the Professional Standards Captain. The remainder of the 78-member department includes several Sergeants and Corporals, Patrol and Traffic Officers, a K-9 Officer, a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officer, several Detectives and a Narcotics Investigator.  The City also has School Resource Officers assigned to each CISD school, a Warrant Officer, and several civilian support staff members. 

• Total authorized sworn full-time Police Officers is 65. 
• Total authorized sworn part-time Police Officers is five. 
• Total authorized full-time civilians is seven and one part-time civilian.   

 We achieve our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime, and enhance public safety through strong collaborative partnerships with members of the Southlake community. We are a member of a larger City team whose strategic focus includes employing the values of Integrity, Innovation, Accountability, Commitment to Excellence and Teamwork. 

CALEA Accreditation

This commitment is illustrated by the department’s accreditation designation. Southlake PD has achieved the highest level of accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) – add link, voluntarily subjecting our policies/procedures and practices to a rigorous external review.  Accreditation was first achieved in 2000. Since 2015, the Police Department has held the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Gold Standard accreditation (Certificate of Advanced Meritorious Accreditation with Excellence” under the Gold Standard Assessment Process). 
 
Since Southlake first received accredited agency status through CALEA, the police department has worked diligently to adopt, implement, and build upon the hundreds of standards (best practices) that are part of the assessment, including standards associated with the use of force. In 2015, the Southlake PD received the highest award of re-accreditation - "Certificate of Advanced Meritorious Accreditation with Excellence" - under the Gold Standard Assessment Process. This means that the department subjects itself to rigorous review across nine major law enforcement subject areas by outside assessors who review policies and practices against hundreds of standards that include more than one thousand criteria. The accreditation performance under these standards is among the best in the nation. Southlake’s Police Department is committed to a culture of excellence. There is a focus on employing and managing highly qualified professionals to protect the Southlake community through compassion, care, personal engagement, and accountability to make lives safer.

The dedication to protecting the community takes many forms. There is a close working relationship with the local school district through a strong School Resource Officer (SRO) program. There is also robust community outreach and public education program. Local volunteers also assist in achieving the goals. There are many customized programs, such as the Vacation House Watch initiative.

Mission

We achieve our mission to Reduce Crime; Reduce the Fear of Crime, and Enhance Public Safety through strong collaborative partnerships with members of the Southlake community. We are a member of a larger City team whose strategic focus includes employing the values of Integrity, Innovation, Accountability, Commitment to Excellence, and Teamwork.

History of the Department

Incorporated in 1956, the City of Southlake has deep roots, dating back to the mid-1800s. The first settlers arrived in 1845 in what is now known as Southlake. In 1966 the Southlake Police Department was established, and the town marshal was renamed the Chief of Police. The City purchased its first patrol car in 1967.

Today, the City of Southlake continues to grow and thrive with more than 30,000 residents, and the Southlake Police Department remains committed to providing exceptional service and the highest level of safety and security to all those who live, work, and visit the city.