PREVIOUS REPORT: Beaumont Independent School District's police officers felt they had dodged a bullet in August, when BISD's board of managers passed a budget that kept the police force.
But according to email exchanges obtained by 12News, Beaumont Police supervisors have already started asking their officers about their availability and interest in working at BISD.
BISD officers feel betrayed.
Sergeant Aqua Delco said, "At no time were we given the same opportunity to present our proposal or were we given any specifications or criteria of what we needed to be covered."
Delco says this year the BISD police force is budgeted to operate at $1.2 million providing protection around the clock, while BPD off-duty officers would only work during the school day and at games, at a cost to BISD of $1.4 million, paying each Beaumont PD officer $35 an hour.
BISD officers have done the math and say even if they gave up their benefits, they would be cheaper than BPD officers.
Delco admits BISD PD's image has been tarnished by past administrators and board members, who at times used the officers as personal bodyguards, especially at board meetings.
She says at many meetings six officers were required to be in attendance.
Delco said, "We want to operate as a real police department, we've never been given an opportunity to operate as a real police department because of the people that were in charge before."
Beaumont Police Chief Jimmy Singletary would not comment, referring questions to the school district. BISD spokesperson Nakisha Myles said, "No decision has been made, just have a proposal. We're fact-finding as to what would be needed."
