(The Center Square) – Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock has launched a partnership with law enforcement to strengthen collaboration as it administers grants to support ongoing border security efforts in rural areas.
“Texas depends on strong partnerships with the men and women who protect our communities every day,” Hancock said. “This advisory panel ensures we are hearing directly from law enforcement professionals as we administer critical grant programs and continue supporting public safety across our state.”
On Tuesday, Hancock announced a new Law Enforcement Advisory Panel whose members will advise the office on implementing public safety grant programs and notifying the comptroller or agency’s Criminal Investigation Division about issues of concern.
They’ll give input on the comptroller’s office implementing SB 22, the Rural Law Enforcement Grant Program, which the legislature enacted last year to help rural sheriffs recruit and retain deputies and obtain equipment and resources. The program has been a lifeline so far with rural sheriffs, The Center Square has reported. Funds also support county prosecutors and district attorneys.
The advisory panel will also provide input on the office implementing SB 8, a grant program encouraging sheriff participation in federal immigration enforcement. So far, more than 250 federal immigration 287(g) agreements have been signed between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Texas law enforcement agencies, The Center Square reported.
The Trump administration is encouraging law enforcement to participate in three models: the Jail Enforcement Model (JEM), Task Force Model (TFM) and Warrant Service Officer (WSO), The Center Square reported. Training is free and participants receive federal funding. The models create a “force multiplier” to help federal agents “deport removable aliens involved in gang activity, violent crimes, human smuggling, organized crime, sex offenses, drug smuggling, money laundering and many other crimes,” ICE explains. The state grant programs provide additional resources.
Hancock, a former state senator who voted for the legislation he’s now implementing, was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to fill a vacant role. He is running for election in the March Republican primary.
Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn is chairing the panel, joined by the sheriffs of Bee, Brazoria, Chambers, Denton, Grayson, Hill, Jim Wells, Kendall, Matagorda, Montgomery, Potter, Taylor and Terrell counties as well as the district attorney of Smith County.
Nearly all law enforcement associations representing thousands of Texas law enforcement have endorsed Hancock. They include the Texas Municipal Police Association, Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, Texas Fraternal Order of Police, Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association Political Action Committee, police officers’ associations representing Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, Austin and Arlington, as well as game wardens, Latino law enforcement, bondsmen and others.
Abbott endorsed Hancock after two Republicans had already entered the race, Texas businessman Don Huffines and Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick. It does not appear that any law enforcement leaders or associations in Texas have endorsed them.
Huffines, a former state legislator who challenged Abbott in 2022 and lost, was a vocal critic of Abbott’s border security mission, Operation Lone Star. Huffines has been criticized by Texas Republicans for secretly purchasing a ranch owned by the late child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein after years of allegations the property was used to traffic, rape and torture children. The New Mexico Attorney General reopened an investigation into the property last week after receiving more information. An initial 2019 New Mexico AG investigation was squashed by the first Trump administration, The Center Square reported.
The New Mexico legislature also launched an investigation expressing concerns “that the failure to investigate the alleged criminal activity at [Epstein’s] ranch and the risk of potential consequences of that activity continue to affect the safety and welfare of the state and that continued legislative inaction threatens public confidence in state government.”
Huffines and paid social media influencers have argued investigative reporting about Huffines’ secretive Epstein ranch purchase is a “hit piece” funded and orchestrated by Abbott and Hancock, whom Abbot has endorsed. The Santa Fe New Mexican has been reporting on Epstein-New Mexican political connections for more than 20 years and submitted a public information request. Neither Abbott’s state nor campaign staff contacted The Center Square about the issue. The Center Square contacted the campaigns of Hancock and Craddick for one story, requesting comments. Hancock’s campaign declined to comment. Craddick’s campaign didn’t respond. Abbott’s office was never contacted.
Texas OLS sheriffs and South Texas ranchers have argued had Huffines been involved with border communities and knew what they’ve been experiencing perhaps he would have invited law enforcement to search the 8,000-acre property they say is a potential crime scene in an effort to help law enforcement, survivors and victims’ families. They’ve also offered suggestions about how to work with law enforcement, The Center Square reported. Huffines has said he would comply with law enforcement investigations if asked.
