TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple Independent School District celebrated its partnership with the Temple Police Department by presenting a Friends of Temple Wildcat Award to the Temple PD and Chief Shawn Reynolds at the TISD board of trustees meeting on Tuesday (October 11).
The Temple Police Department was nominated for the award by Dan Posey, president of the TISD school board. The nomination highlighted how under Chief Reynolds' leadership, TPD has transformed the concept of community service and has proactively partnered with the district on numerous initiatives. TPD also increased police presence at all Temple ISD campuses in the days following the Uvalde tragedy to help reassure staff, students, families and community that they were safe and protected. Additional TPD officers were also at each campus to welcome staff, students and families back to school for the first week of school this year. This summer, Chief Reynolds and his team reviewed and analyzed the district’s safety/crisis plans and provided feedback and advice on implementation strategies. TPD also studied all of TISD’s campus floor plans to help the department prepare for providing strategic assistance in any crisis situation.
“I can tell you that the partnership between the school district and the Temple PD has never been stronger,” Dr. Bobby Ott, superintendent of Temple schools said. “Our staff, students, families and community can rest assured that Chief Reynolds and the Temple Police Department are ready and able to do whatever it takes to protect our schools. There truly is no greater gift of sacrifice than being willing to lay down your life for a friend, and that is why Chief Reynolds and the Temple Police Department are most deserving of the Friend of Temple Wildcat Award.”
The Friend of Temple Wildcat Award recognizes high-level partners of the school district. Nominations are submitted to the board of trustees, who then selects the honorees and presents the award.