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How and Why
T.E.L.E.A. Started
T.E.L.E.A. was
developed by a group of environmental
investigators from across Texas, under the
organizational drive of Barbara Foreman and
Dale Burnette of the Special Investigations
Section, TNRCC. By late 1997 it had become
clear that the previous three year's efforts
by the TNRCC, COGs and local training
academies was starting to pay off. By that
time, nearly 400 officers from around the
State had completed the TNRCC/Southern
Environmental Enforcement Network's three
day training. Many others had completed one
and two day training events offered by other
agencies. Recognizing that the time for a
professional association had come, in
December 1997 a small group of Texas
officers, regulators and policy makers met
at the Austin Police Academy and began the
process that has resulted in today's
T.E.L.E.A.
Formal Bylaws
were adopted by the organization on February
20, 1998 following legal incorporation as a
Texas non-profit corporation. Charter
Memberships were first issued in June 1998
and the first Annual Conference was held in
Austin in October 1998. At this first
conference, Barbara Foreman was elected as
the first President of the Organization.
Unable to complete her term,
Senior Police Officer Steven Dicker, Houston
Police Department, then served as the
President of the organization from 1998 to
2006. Since 2006 Sergeant Cynthia
Guajardo-Echols, Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department – Environmental Crimes Unit, has
presided as President. |
