Pharr Police Department Makes History with First Nationally Horse Patrol Certified Officers in the RGV
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr Police Department is proud to announce that four of its officers have graduated from a four-week joint-agency National Horse Patrol Certification program through the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol sector. Graduates of the program are Sgt. Max Longoria, officer Luis Cardoza, officer Gabriel Lopez, and officer Irving Segura, as well as two Border Patrol agents.
This is a history-making moment for the City of Pharr and its Police Department as these officers are the first to be Nationally Horse Patrol Certified since the creation of the Pharr Police Department in the early 1900s and the first horse patrolled police department unit in the region.
The Pharr Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief Andy Harvey, has been working actively to introduce new, safer, innovative, and community-friendly policing initiatives.
“This marks a new direction in our history at the Pharr Police Department,” said Chief Harvey. “We are grateful to have been given this opportunity and for our wonderful partners at U.S. Customs and Border Protection for working with us on making this initiative a reality,” he continued. “Our new Pharr PD Mounted Unit will serve our community proudly and we are so proud of our officers who will lead our newest policing efforts to ensure our safety and enhance our services to the community,” Harvey said.
During the graduation ceremony, Class 20 (made up of four Pharr PD Officers and two Border Patrol Agents) proudly showcased their newly learned talents by performing a demonstration before a crowd of City of Pharr officials, family, federal partners, members of the Pharr Police Department.
Agents and officers endured a rigorous 4-week training program to successfully complete the certification course. The six graduates spent numerous hours in the classroom learning first-aid, feeding, housing, trailering, and how to properly care for the horses. As they advanced to on-the-job training, the group received instruction regarding field/river patrol, sign-cutting, riot/crowd control, and various job-related duties. The time spent with the horses allowed them to build a solid foundation and better understand the horse’s capabilities and limitations.
“This is a great responsibility and honor,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We are thrilled to be the first Police Department in the region to have a Mounted Unit and look forward to increasing the number of officers in the unit in the future,” added Hernandez. “This has been something we have been planning for a long time and we are thankful to all our federal partners who collaborated with us in making this a reality,” he said.
The Pharr Police Department Unit is expected to begin patrolling the city within the next 30-60 days. As the department’s newest policing initiative, the unit will also work extensively within the community to provide outreach, educational, and safety resources.
Adopted policy allows officers to cite and release a person in possession of less than 2 oz. of marijuana, as allowable by state law
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr Police Department will be implementing a new Cite-and-Release policy, which allows officers in the field an option to release a person with less than 2 oz of marijuana. This is a Class B misdemeanor where normally a person is arrested at the scene and transported to jail.
The policy adopted by the Pharr Police Department is governed by Article 14.06 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, enacted as HB 2391 by the 80th Texas State Legislature in 2007, and allows for law enforcement officers to cite and release individuals who commit certain offenses. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pharr Police Department decided to adopt the “Cite and Release” policy and implement it department-wide to minimize the number of individuals being jailed for certain low-level misdemeanor offenses, in this case, possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana, Misdemeanor B.
There are prerequisites to this option, and include the following: 1. The offense must be possession of marijuana. The marijuana must weigh less than two (2) ounces, Misdemeanor B. 2. The offense must occur in Pharr, Texas 3. The suspect must reside in Hidalgo County, Texas. 4. The suspect must be in possession of a valid driver’s license or identification. 5. The suspect must be 17 years of age or older. 6. Possession of marijuana must be the only offense in which the suspect is subject to arrest.
Officers will have the discretion to arrest or release at the scene. This policy simply gives them another alternative. If released, the person will still have to be arraigned at our municipal court within 14 days of the incident and will be released on a PR bond. The Possession of Marijuana Class B case will still be completed by our detectives and sent to the District Attorney’s office as any other case.
“This gives our officers a reasonable alternative to an arrest at the scene if the requirements are met,” said Pharr Police Chief Andy Harvey. “I believe this is another step in our efforts to police in a manner that adds value to community,” he continued.
“It’s important to note that this policy does not decriminalize anything, rather can provide a more dignified option for a low-level offense,” Harvey added. “We are partnering with the Hidalgo County DA’s office and our own municipal judge to make this possible. These are critical partnerships that when working together, can make a difference in our communities,” continued Harvey.
Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez stated, “Our office supports the efforts of the Pharr Police Department, and any other law enforcement agency, to implement this policy as allowable by state law.” He continued, “It is important that our community understand that the offense is not excusable and is still punishable by law, but this adds a level of flexibility to reduce our jail population.”
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., praised the leadership of Chief Harvey for implementing smart policing strategies as allowable under state law that will help provide fair alternatives for low-level offenses. “The offenders will still be held responsible for the offenses committed, but this will help to expedite justice in a fair and responsive manner,” Hernandez ended.
The new Cite-and-Release policy will begin implementation this week.
Pharr PD Unveils Innovative Policing Strategy, Core Values, and Social Contract Aimed to Foster Positive Community Relations
Pharr, Texas – A few months into his tenure leading the City of Pharr’s police department, Chief Andy Harvey’s priority has been to strategically lead the department’s force by example, modeling a unifying and respectful leadership style to unite the department into implementing systemic and sustainable positive change. With law enforcement across the country recently taking the spotlight in the public realm, leading discussions regarding social justice, criminal justice, and policing, Harvey’s approach aims to shift the paradigm of the relationship between law enforcement and the community by creating a culture of compassion among the city’s police force.
Earlier this week, the Pharr Police Department adopted and celebrated the launch of the department’s new policing strategy, core values, and a social contract that will serve as guiding principles for every decision made by Pharr law enforcement – from administration down to patrol units and community policing.
After months of strategic planning, discussing, and fine-tuning, the Pharr Police Department unveiled its newly-adopted mission, vision, core values, and social contract with the Pharr community.
The adopted core values comprise the department’s C.A.R.E. philosophy, will guide all aspects of individual and collective decisions made as representatives of the Pharr PD, and are as follows:
Compassion: The Pharr Police Department will create partnerships with our community and serve with respect and dignity.
Accountable: Develop community equity and mutual respect while promoting innovation, self-development, and community wellness. We shall enhance and protect the quality of life for all who live, work, or visit the City of Pharr.
Resilient: Develop strategies with stakeholders to address the challenges and demands of our community, while addressing the overall well-being of our officers.
Excellence: We aim for excellence in everything that we do. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct by setting the example and having the moral courage to defend the constitution and uphold the law.
“We know that in order to lift up a city up in the way we police, we must have a strong set of core values. Fairness, dignity, and respect must start from within as part of our guiding principles and culture. Our social contract holds ourselves accountable for our actions and helps us strive for excellence – going above and beyond – in everything we do.” – Pharr Police Chief Andy Harvey
Pharr PD’s new mission statement reads, “The Pharr Police Department values the constitutional rights of all people, and will create collaborative relationships built on trust, which will reduce crime, fear, and enhance quality of life.”
The social contract adopted by the police department, the first of its kind in Texas and likely one of the first developed in anticipation of, in response to, and to prevent potential negative public perception of law enforcement agencies, represents the commitment that the department, command staff, officers, investigators, and support staff have to pledged to the community of Pharr, and reads as follows:
“The members of the City of Pharr Police Department agree to be professional, honorable, and supportive in their influences with each other and to our citizens by encouraging a positive, caring environment through valuing the constitutional rights of all people, and creating collaborative relationships built on trust, therefore, reducing crime, fear, and enhancing the quality of life.
The members of the City of Pharr Police Department agree:
To succeed in our mission through our core values: Compassion, Accountability, Resilience, and Excellence; and
To hold ourselves, and each other, accountable and give 100% to our mission; and
In the event of conflict we agree to address issues promptly, discreetly, and one-on-one. We will listen openly, be factual, give feedback, as we seek resolution. We agree to accept responsibility for our actions, be understanding of the other person’s concern, and show compassion for each other; and
To wok together with mutual respect, and if necessary, seek mediation through the chain of command.
The members of the City of Pharr Police Department pledge our support for this social contract and devote our efforts in our daily interactions with our service to the community.”
At the announcement of the new policing strategy and social contract, held on November 10, 2020, members of the Pharr City Commission were on hand to present a proclamation honoring the department’s efforts and recognizing Chief Harvey and the department for their efforts to address challenges and opportunities head-on by adopting this forward-thinking philosophy. Mayor Pro-Tem Bobby Carrillo and Commissioner Daniel Chavez praised the department for rising to the occasion and setting an example to be a model law enforcement agency that will work to proactively address issues and concerns and meet them head-on with a positive attitude and core values that will remain at the forefront of every decision made.
“This is just another way that the City of Pharr is moving forward in a positive way. It takes courage to do what you do. The city of Pharr community can be happy to know that there are police officers with good hearts and good values to keep them safe.” – Commissioner Daniel Chavez
For more information regarding the Pharr Police Department’s new strategy, mission, vision, core values, and social contract, visit https://youtu.be/z_LodTWsUmw.
Redesigned Patch Unveiled as Part of Inaugural First Responders Festival FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr Police Department is excited to unveil its newly redesigned police patch. The redesigned patch and logo includes a more modern look and feel, and is intended to capture the essence of the City of Pharr and the work that the police force does to serve and protect its citizens.
According to Pharr Police Chief Jose Luengo, the police patch is the identity, brand, and source of pride for officers and employees of the department. Patches are proudly sported on the police uniform. Over the years, there have been different versions of the patch, including elements such as the outline of Hidalgo County, the seal of the State of Texas, and an even earlier one only had the words “Pharr Police.” Previous versions of the Pharr Police Patch
The new patch was designed to incorporate certain elements that represented specific values and incorporated the seals of the State of Texas and the City of Pharr.
Elements include: -Oak Branch which represents strength -Olive Branch which represents peace -Lone Star to represent the Great State of Texas -City Seal maintains consistency with city identity and brand – Community, Progress, Learning, Pride New Police Patch
“We wanted a modernized look and feel for our new police patch,” said Chief Luengo. “Our community has grown tremendously over the years, and our police force has done such great work to ensure the safety and security of our Pharr families, while also instilling and fostering a strong sense of pride and enhanced community outreach and relations,” he continued.
“Wearing this badge of honor will continue to demonstrate to our Pharr citizens and families that we are here to serve to protect our communities through peace, strength, and with pride for our community and our state,” Luengo added. The new police patch was unveiled to coincide with Pharr’s inaugural First Responders Festival, which combines the former separate Pharr Night Out and Pharr Fire Fest events held by the City of Pharr. The First Responders Festival was created to celebrate and honor not only the work of Pharr police and fire staff, but also expanding its purpose to honor all first responders, including EMTs, telecommunications officers, and more. The Pharr First Responders Festival will be held TOMORROW, Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 6 pm to 11 pm in Downtown Pharr.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
All media and the public are invited to attend. DETAILS What: Pharr First Responders Festival When: TOMORROW, Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 6 pm to 11 pm Where: Downtown Pharr
