Big Spring Police Department

The Animal Control Division has several small and large animal traps to loan to local residents. At this time residents are placed on a waiting list for the traps. When a trap becomes available the Animal Control Officer will assist in setting up and demonstrating the traps operation.

The Big Spring Animal Control has associated itself with Petfinder.com.This is a national database where potential pet owners can go and see if any shelter or associate member has pets they would like to adopt. We are posting pictures of animals, which have been picked up and not claimed by the owner. We believe this will be a big boost in finding homes for our stray animals. Any person looking for a pet is encouraged to go to Petfinder.com and check out the available pets for adoption here and in other parts of the country.

Fees for Unaltered Animals
First time pick-up of animal - $ 30.00
Second time pick-up of animal - $ 75.00
Third time pick-up of animal - $200.00

Fees for Altered Animals
First time pick-up of animal - $15.00
Second time pick-up of animal - $55.00
Third time pick-up of anima l- $105.00

Rabies vaccinations - $ 15.00
Boarding animal - $5.00
Micro Chip Fee - $ 20.00
Quarantine animal - $50.00
City license (Spayed or Neutered) - $ 4.00
City license  Unaltered - $ 15.00

It is the duty of the Information Technology specialist to setup, configure,and maintain all aspects of the Police Departments computer information systems. We currently have eight servers, approximately twenty-five desktop workstations, and thirty Laptop computers with the most up-to-date software possible that provide the entire department with the technological tools that are required to provide the best possible service to the community.

It is the mission of the Big Spring Police Department Patrol Division to provide a safe and secure environment  within the framework of the Constitution to enforce the laws, exercise regulatory authority and preserve the peace while protecting the rights of all and applying the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability, in partnership with the entire community.

The Big Spring Police Department Patrol Division is comprised of:

• Two Lieutenants
• Four Sergeants
• Six Corporals with 23 Patrol Officers

There are four patrol squads, which work 12-hour shifts.  The 12-hour shift allows officers to have every other weekend off.  Each squad is assigned a minimum of one corporal who assists the sergeants in supervisory duties.  Every officer in the Patrol Division is assigned a vehicle and it is their responsibility to keep the maintenance up and clean their vehicles.  Officers residing within the city can take these vehicles home and use them for personal business while off duty.

Management Philosophy

By providing sound leadership, a dynamic work environment, and an opportunity for employee growth, we believe this will ensure quality service to our community. The division incorporates teamwork and the highest level of integrity in our efforts to assist both the public and other law enforcement agencies.

We are dedicated to total quality.

The ultimate goal of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID)  is "to solve assigned offenses, the arrest and prosecution of subjects so charged and to the reduction of crime."  The Criminal Investigation Division has thirteen personnel assigned as follows:

• Two Sergeants
• Four Investigators
• Five Narcotics Investigators
• Two Street Crimes Officers

Criminal offenses which require follow up are normally assigned to investigators. A substantial number of these assigned cases are cleared by various means, such as arrest, filings with the County and District Attorneys and by exceptional means.

Investigators with the Big Spring Police Department deal with all types of crimes from misdemeanor to capital felony offense crimes against persons, as well as property crimes. CID also assists other agencies upon request with information to assist investigations or the arrest of individuals.

The criteria which determines whether a case may be assigned for follow up investigation include but are not limited to:

• Witness information and credibility
• Nature of the crime
• Suspect information
• Property identification
• Physical evidence retrieved

Big Spring Police Department narcotics officers are assigned to work Narcotics in the city of Big Spring and in the county of Howard. These officers also work on intelligence gathering with confidential sources, including Crime Stopper information and self-initiated activity.

Two K-9 Criminal Interdiction Officers patrols the city streets as well as state and federal highways with  his partner, a canine specially trained in drug detection.

The Big Spring Police Department has two detectives assigned to Youth Street Crimes. These detectives concentrate on gang and juvenile crimes. The detectives are also associated with the Texas Gang Investigators Association.

The 911 Communications Center provides complete emergency services dispatching to all the citizens of Big Spring and Howard County Texas on a 24-hour a day basis.  The Communications Division also provides 911 emergency services for other agencies in Howard County

The 911 Center was updated to the Enhanced 911 System. This system will help to make us more responsive to the needs of the citizens of Big Spring and Howard county. The Communication Center handles an average of 36,000 calls for service a year.  Approximately 7 to 10 percent are actual 911 emergency calls.  We also monitor and record 22 incoming telephone and radio channels.  All traffic is recorded and stored on a new computer system.  Every call for service is documented and entered into the computer system.

The Goals of the Center are to keep pace with the changing needs of the Community, Emergency Services, and accommodate those needs. In the future, we anticipate that more advanced computer equipment will be needed for computer-aided dispatching and computer networking with Patrol Units in the field. Such a reality would result in quicker and more accurate emergency dispatching and provide readily available information to emergency responders.  The department has recently purchased a computer-aided dispatch system and will be implementing this in the very near future.

The Big Spring Police Department Records Division maintains over 38,000 criminal records, 7,000 Police reports per year, 700 vehicle accident reports yearly, and maintain a database of 12,000 animal calls. The Secretaries also type and prepare Case reports for filing with the appropriate court. They keep an accurate record and report monthly for the Uniform Crime Reporting System. They also maintain and report all required information to the Department of Public Safety and other State Agencies. They provide copies of requested reports to the public and keep all of the financial records for fee’s charged.  Off site, the Records Division maintains the entire departmental records that are required to be in storage. Big Spring Police Department Records Division is staffed by one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, and three records Secretaries.

It is the mission of the Identification Division of the Big Spring Police Department to respond to crime scenes, record the crime scenes with digital images, recover any evidence to be processed and stored and process for latent prints, shoe prints, tire tracks, blood, and trace evidence,  then record actions taken while on the crime scene by typing a report.  Another part of the Identification Division is fingerprint comparison and classification, making sure that evidence that is to be processed by a lab , is packaged and sent to the proper lab to be processed.  The Crime Scene vehicles are equipped with the instruments to process the crime scene such as fingerprint kits, cameras, gloves, gun shot residue kits, vacuums, metal detectors, casting kits, marking paint and chalk, putrefaction masks, and other crime scene equipment.

The Big Spring Police Department Honor Guard is comprised of eight volunteers of both civilian and commissioned officers. The honor guard began in April of 1994. Their first appearance was at the first Citizen's Police Academy Graduation. They participate in approximately fifteen events a year presenting the colors of the American Flag, Texas Flag, and the Big Spring Police Department Honor Guard Flag. The officers are armed if they are commissioned, wear a dress uniform, and use military maneuvers. If you are interested in having the Big Spring Police Department Honor Guard appear for an event you can contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by email or at (432) 264-2561.

About Chaplain Corps

The Chaplain Program began as an innovative approach to meeting several needs in our community and county.  Chaplains of all faiths work with law enforcement and fire personnel on a professional level by making themselves immediately available as trained and caring professionals who can assist in times of loss, confusion, depression, or grief to people in crisis situations.  The Chaplains provide this service not only to the citizens, but also to all department employees and their families as well.

The Chaplain Program is administered through the offices of the Chief of Police, Fire Chief, and Howard County Sheriff.  The Chaplain must be ordained or commissioned and must attend a basic Chaplain's Training Academy.

Who We Are

Chaplains are ordained/licensed clergy and trained laity who are available to serve our Public Safety Departments, Victims Services, SMMC Hospital personnel, and the families and citizens of Big Spring and Howard County.  They are called on to attend to various physical, spiritual and other related duties as assigned.

What We Do

Chaplains are appointed to be an aid to the city, county, and state departments, their families, and the citizens of Big Spring, Howard County and the surrounding area.

Our Mission

The Emergency Services Chaplains are inspired to "serve those who serve."

Who We Serve