Page 5 - March April 2020 TPA

From the Desk of the

Executive Director

Erwin Ballarta

Greetings,

Texas Police Association’s objective is to keep Texas Communities Safe. By offering training courses that
improve the individual officer, the objectives of the law enforcement agency will be fulfilled. Having
competent officers comes from promoting professional and ethical values. It also comes from mentoring
and growing officers to take up leadership role. Through many leadership programs that we offer, officers
will understand that leadership is at all levels.

Law Enforcement Officers are unique. Many have opportunities to serve in the private sector, but they
chose to serve the community they live in. I believe they have a selfless character by choosing to serve.
They understand that they may be hurt or even killed. When they prepare for their shift they put on that
uniform and badge without hesitation. They swore to protect the Constitution, the rule of law, and the
citizens of Texas. As a former Big Spring Police Officer and a retired Texas Department of Public Safety
Lieutenant, I greatly appreciate all our LEO brothers and sisters that are serving now. I still remember the
missed birthdays, missed time with my children, different duties and shifts, and missed holidays with my
family. Due to the low pay, many officers look for part time work opportunities. I have all the time now
that I am retired, but my children are grown up now. So, I would like to say how much I appreciate our
young men and women that chose to serve in the law enforcement profession. They too will have many
sacrifices ahead. I ask for your continued prayers for each of them.

to the COVID 19 Pandemic. Many lives

The year 2019 and 2020 has been marked with many challenges related

have been affected dramatically with illness, deaths and loss of income. Social distancing has also taken an

state
emotional and psychological toll on some. Economies have also been devastated, afffecting city and

also been impacted.

budgets. Texas Police Association has We had to cancel our training courses which

brings

in muc h needed revenue. We are researching, with the approval of TCOLE, online remote training.

account social distancing and being responsible, we held our first on-line board meeting. During
Taking into

our meeting

it was approved unaminmously to cancel the 2020 TPA Annual Conference. The board

agreed to postpone the 2020 conference to 2021 and allow our current president, DPS Chief Dwight

Mathis to sta y on until 2021.

I am also asking our members, Texas Citizens, and corporate partners for your prayers. I am asking you to

also consider making a tax deductible donation to the Texas Police Association.

free hand sanitizers for you or your agency.
Please contact us for

Email mona@texaspolice association.com or erwin@texaspoliceassociation.com for inquiries.

www.texaspoliceassociation.com • 866-997-8282