Howard Payne University’s Board of Trustees, in the spring of this year, approved the university’s decision to upgrade its security force to a Department of Public Safety and the final step was completed Friday at the swearing in of the department’s two commissioned officers.   Brown County District Judge Stephen Ellis, who also serves on the HPU Board, performed the swearing in ceremony.

The new agency will include two commissioned police officers and four current security personnel who have completed the necessary training to become public safety officers.   The training for noncommissioned officers at HPU included crime prevention, crime scene investigation, domestic violence, emergency and severe weather training and hazardous material training.

Paul Lilly, assistant professor of criminal justice at HPU and retired police chief with 20 years of service, will serve as head of the department.  Lilly is a master peace officer, has been at HPU for two years and is working to complete his doctorate of forensic psychology in December of this year.  Working as the force’s lieutenant is Bob Pacatte, recently retired from the Lake Patrol, who has also served with the Brownwood and Early Police Departments for a total of 34 years experience in law enforcement.

Having completed the swearing in of its commissioned officers, the Howard Payne Department of Public Safety is now a fully functional department, according to Lilly and Pacatte.

“We were one of only four universities in the state of Texas that did not have a Department of Public Safety or which had not made the transition,” said Lilly.  “It cost quite a bit to make the change but we made it and now it is official.”

Pacatte explained that as a security force, the officers at HPU have been limited on what they could do in certain situations.  Chief Lilly stated that as a DPS agency, the department will be able to take a more proactive stance regarding safety and crime prevention.  The focus for the transition was to provide better safety and security to the university.   According to Lilly, the university is working in conjunction with the Brownwood Police Department. As public safety officers, HPU’s force will share authority over all public streets that run adjacent to the university and will be able to make traffic stops and work accident scenes, said Lilly.

“The support we have received from Sheriff Grubbs and Chief Corley has been tremendous,” said Chief Lilly.

Pictured above, left to right, are:  Lt. Bob Pacatte, District Judge Stephen Ellis, and Chief Paul Lilly during Friday’s ceremony.   Below are additional photos of the occasion.

Lt. Pacatte and Chief Lilly sign official documents.

Judge Ellis adds his signature.

Judge Ellis congratulates Chief Lilly on the formation of the new agency.