Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn expressed his satisfaction today with the support received from the Commissioner’s Court. The Sheriff’s Office had presented several proposals, including policy review consultants, officer wellness assessments, and body-worn cameras for the Detention Division. The Court voted in favor of these initiatives, which will be implemented in the near future.
While the Court was in session, Sheriff Waybourn was in Washington, D.C., at the invitation of the Department of Justice, along with other law enforcement leaders. The group provided input on various topics, including operational challenges, best practices, and officer wellness—many of which aligned with the Court’s agenda.
Over the past three years, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office has been working to revise its policies, culminating in a new General Order to supplement existing Standard Operating Procedures. The Sheriff’s Office is nearing the completion of these revisions and has welcomed the involvement of a third-party consultant to review the policies and offer impartial feedback.
Sheriff Waybourn has consistently advocated for officer wellness, and in 2022, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office received funding for a limited employee wellness program. While expanded funding was unavailable, the Court's current support may allow for broader health assessments for employees.
In recent months, the Sheriff’s Office began exploring the use of body-worn cameras for the Operations Division. The proposal to extend the program to the Detention Division was approved by the Court, and steps will be taken to explore this further.
During the session, Commissioner Ramirez announced the streamlining of background investigations and the search for a new Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office Jail Administrator. Sheriff Waybourn has emphasized the importance of the background team’s work and the need for efficient onboarding processes to recruit top-tier talent across all roles, from Detention Officers to Deputies and Jail Administrators.
