The Woodlands studies cost of law enforcement for a future city department

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The Woodlands Township's study on incorporation is beginning to tackle larger and more expensive aspects of what would be needed to provide a continued level of resident services should the area become an incorporated city.

The township board of directors heard a draft report Aug. 16 on what would be needed for law enforcement within the boundaries of The Woodlands.

As a city, The Woodlands would be required to assume all law enforcement responsibilities, according to John Scruggs, a manager with Matrix Consulting, the firm leading the study on incorporation. It would also have to own and operate facilities, which would mean purchasing the existing stations from the county and remodeling them.

Should the township establish its own police department, about 30 additional employees would need to be hired, including officers, as well as administration, and support staff. According to Matrix, start-up costs alone would be approximately $8.5 million for office equipment, fleet vehicles, technology, building remodels and other expenses.

"Just to outfit an officer, when you're talking ballistic vest, firearms, uniforms, you're getting over $14,000 per officer including cameras, and then there's ongoing operating costs with that," Scruggs said.

The Woodlands spends over $11.5 million on law enforcement costs each year, according to the report. Should the township develop its own in-house department, or negotiate a contract with the county to continue services after incorporation, the cost could rise to an estimated $15.9 million to $17.4 million.

The Woodlands currently uses a combination of Montgomery County officers, Harris County officers and township-funded officers as well as contracts with Safe Harbor for a detective, totaling 128.5 full and part-time positions. Montgomery County also provides additional functions such as task forces, dispatching, K9 teams, crime scene investigators, training, SWAT teams and hostage negotiation specialists.

While the township would have the option to hire all law enforcement staff in-house, the board could also elect to contract with the counties to continue providing service, or use a combination of both, Scruggs said.

Due to the extent of the changes that would need to be made, Scruggs said the study recommends a phasing-in approach over three years, splitting The Woodlands into thirds and adding staff to one area per year.

"A phased-in approach would be the only way you could really successfully do it," he said. "It would be almost impossible to start a police department in one day and say, 'This is the day we start.' There are just so many things that go on with it."

While Matrix has not yet studied how a court system would be established in The Woodlands, Matrix Vice President Alan Pennington said revenues from local municipal courts could potentially offset some law enforcement costs.

Residents will be able to learn more about the ongoing study, including the portion on law enforcement, during a public forum at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Convention Center.