MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

(a) The commission, with input from an advisory committee, shall by rule establish minimum standards with respect to the creation or continued operation of a law enforcement agency based on the function, size, and jurisdiction of the agency, including: (1) a determination regarding the public benefit of creating the agency in the community; (2) the sustainable funding sources for the agency; (3) the physical resources available to officers, including: (A) all standard duty firearms; (B) less lethal force weapons, including a requirement of at least one per officer on duty; (C) effective communications equipment; (D) protective equipment, including a requirement of: (i) at least one bullet-resistant vest per officer on duty; and (ii) access to at least one breaching tool and one ballistic shield; (E) officer uniforms; and (F) patrol vehicles and associated equipment; (4) the physical facilities of the agency, including any evidence room, dispatch area, or public area; (5) the policies of the agency, including policies on: (A) use of force; (B) vehicle pursuit; (C) professional conduct of officers; (D) domestic abuse protocols; (E) response to missing persons; (F) supervision of part-time officers; (G) impartial policing; (H) active shooters, including a detailed written policy based on current best practices for responding to an active shooter incident at a primary or secondary school facility and a recommendation for the frequency at which simulated emergency drills should be conducted; and (I) barricaded subjects; (6) the administrative structure of the agency; (7) liability insurance; and (8) any other standard the commission considers necessary. (b) A law enforcement agency may enter into a mutual aid agreement with a law enforcement agency with overlapping or adjacent jurisdiction to share protective equipment during a critical incident, as defined by Section 391.0041, Local Government Code, to meet the requirements under Subsection (a)(3)(D).