Family, friends, district staff and community leaders celebrated the swearing-in of Leander ISD Police Department’s newest officers.
Thirteen officers raised their right hands and took an oath to serve and protect the more than 41,000 students and staff in LISD.
The department also welcomed its new assistant chief of police, Jennifer Baskerville, who brings decades of law enforcement experience to the role. Baskerville previously served with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Leander ISD formally established LISD PD in 2025 and has continued building out the department to meet the requirements of Texas House Bill 3 out of the 2023 legislative session.
According to Leander ISD Superintendent Chris Clark, Ed.D, the department is about more than just meeting state compliance; it’s about safety, a commitment to youth development and role models who become an integral part of the school community.
“These officers are making a promise to serve and keep our students and staff safe,” Clark said. “Learning cannot happen when students and families don’t feel safe.”
LISD Board President Anna Smith told the audience the ceremony is particularly meaningful because she had the privilege of watching the department grow from an idea to what it is today.
“I’m a mom of three LISD students. That makes the work of LISD PD incredibly personal,” she said. “It’s the assurance of knowing that our officers are trusted adults who help create environments where students can focus on learning and staff can focus on teaching.”
After the oaths and ceremonial pinning of badges, Sha Rogers, LISD PD chief of police, recognized members of the team who she lauded for being servant leaders and dedicated professionals.
Joseph Santiago received a School Marshal of the Year award, Officer Arthur Wormley took home the Campus Officer of the Year award, Sergeant Tyrus Thompson earned the Supervisor of the Year, and Aven Stanley, senior administrative assistant for the department, received the 2026 Chief’s Eagle Award.
LISD PD officers are assigned to specific campuses or patrol areas throughout the district and receive extensive and ongoing training to prepare for a variety of situations. Contracted school resource officers from nearby cities augmented the department during its fledgling year. Today’s newly sworn officers enable the department to begin the school year with an in-house cadre of peace officers patrolling schools and campuses.
“I’m grateful to our fellow police departments for augmenting us with additional school resource officers up to this point. While those contracts may have ended, our strong partnerships will continue,” Rogers said.
Next week students will return to campuses, and LISD PD stands ready to carry out their mission to ensure a safe and secure learning environment.
