Texas Orders Disbanding of Trinidad Police Department

The State of Texas issued an official order on Saturday, September 12, 2026, directing the Trinidad Police Department to cease operations and be formally dissolved. The directive was signed at 15:11:11 GMT and came as the result of an investigation conducted by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

The order, which applies to the municipal police force serving the town of Trinidad, requires the department to shut down its activities and to begin the process of disbanding. State officials indicated that the decision follows the findings of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, which had been tasked with reviewing the department’s compliance with state law‑enforcement standards.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, the state agency responsible for overseeing local police agencies, has the authority to recommend or enforce actions when a department is found to be non‑compliant with statutory requirements. In this case, the commission’s investigation led to the state’s decision to issue the dissolution order.

Local authorities in Trinidad are now responsible for managing the transition outlined in the state order. While specific timelines for the complete cessation of police services have not been detailed in the release, the department will no longer function as a law‑enforcement entity once the order is fully implemented.

State officials emphasized that the action is intended to address the issues identified during the commission’s review and to ensure that public safety responsibilities are handled in accordance with Texas law. The dissolution of the Trinidad Police Department marks a significant change for the community, which will need to coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions or state agencies to maintain law‑enforcement coverage moving forward.

The order underscores the role of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement in monitoring municipal police agencies and enforcing compliance when necessary. The state’s intervention reflects its broader mandate to uphold standards across all law‑enforcement bodies within Texas.