Page 6 - TPA Journal March April 2019

Interview with Jack Ryle

In addition to meeting current objectives, I believe it is important to remember the past. We must not forget where we
came from and the objectives of the Association in the past. Some may think that the goals in the past may not be
significant for today’s modern law enforcement and in dealing with different leadership, management styles and
management issues. What better person to ask about history and the past than Retired Executive Director Jack Ryle. Jack
agreed for a video interview that will be published and available on our website soon.

Jack Ryle said that our needs and goals for professional policing and community involvement in the past are the same
needs today. It has not changed. Professional policing to TPA is focusing on character. Some examples of good character
are integrity, honesty, loyalty, respectfulness, humility, responsibility, courageousness, polite, kindness, and reliability
etc.

Part of developing good character is through training, management and an agency that promotes such culture. Good
character attracts trust and respect from fellow officers and most importantly the community we serve. Through
exchange of ideas from many officers, issues were discussed such as how to solve crimes using a new forensic tool of
fingerprinting, where to house fingerprints, creating training programs, creating standards, creating a law enforcement
entity that would oversee law enforcement certification and standards and more. Many great ideas began with
identifying a need, discussing it and executing on the ideas. Through the gathering of law enforcement officers, TPA was
established to develop and promote professional policing, and make our communities better.

Through our members, in 1935, we assisted in the development of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Texas
Department of Public Safety’s first Headquarters was located at Camp Mabry. It was later moved in 1953 to Lamar Blvd.
in Austin. DPS housed fingerprints, creating a data bank, that allowed comparative analysis solving many crimes. Courses
on forensics and criminal investigation were developed to train agencies in investigations and solving many crimes. Next
to the DPS HQ building another building was built to offer training and housing. The facility housed the Bureau of
Education. It was charged with offering training to all Texas law Enforcement Officers. It is currently called the Homer
Garrison Training Academy.