Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber to attend Peace Officer Academy

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber announced that he is going to be attending a Texas Peace Officer Certification Academy commencing August 4, 2014 to obtain his state Peace Officers Certification required of County Sheriffs.

Sheriff Schmerber has a two year window under state law to obtain his Texas Peace Officers Certification. Schmerber was previously a federal officer with the United States Border Patrol. The State of Texas has its separate requirement that all peace officers attend an academy and obtain a state-issued peace officers certification.

Sheriff Schmerber stated that even though he will be taking the four months-long Law Enforcement academy required for certification, he will continue to head the Sheriff’s Department and assures Maverick County residents that he will continue to lead the Sheriff’s Department as he has done to date.

“I will be going to obtain my peace officer’s state certification. The State of Texas requires you to obtain your license within two years of election. I couldn’t take the training the first year because I had to establish my administration. Now, I am going to take my training but I will continue to be available 24/7 as I always have been since I took the position. I know that I will have more work than before. I am required to have a license and I will work on meeting this requirement,” said Sheriff Schmerber.

“I am available 24/7. My phone never goes off and now that I will begin this course, it will be double the workload for me but I tackle it head on because it’s what’s right and that’s what I am going to do,” added Sheriff Schmerber. Sheriff Schmerber stated he welcomes the challenge and is confident in his leadership to manage the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department while attending the law enforcement academy.