(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College has selected a longtime Southeast Texas law enforcement member as its new statewide police chief.
Howard Sylve joined TSTC earlier this spring and oversees police departments at TSTC’s Harlingen, Sweetwater and Waco campuses. He also works with private security staff at TSTC’s other campuses.
“You have the opportunity in law enforcement to impact a young adult’s career,” Sylve said. “Our goal is to not just make sure they stay safe, and the faculty and staff say safe, but ensure we help them get through college and be productive members of society.”
Sylve said what drew him to TSTC was the challenge of working at a multi-campus technical college.
“The police department has a strong foundation,” he said. “It has been around a long time. It was not a department I had to come into and basically rebrand it. It’s coming in and enhancing what we do to make it better and try to make it the number one police department in the state.”
Sylve said some of his goals for the police department include increasing officer pay, earning accreditation from the Texas Police Chiefs Association, and providing specialized training throughout the state. He also wants to hire more officers.
“The safety of our campus, both for students, employees and visitors, is of the utmost importance,” said Beth Wooten, provost of TSTC’s Waco campus. “And, to have a high caliber police chief leading those efforts is of great comfort.”
Before coming to TSTC, Sylve was police chief for the Port Arthur Independent School District. He has also served time in the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Jefferson County Pct. 1 Constable Office along with Prairie View A&M University and Wiley College in Marshall.
Sylve is a graduate of Houston Community College and Prairie View A&M University. He also has the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement’s Master Peace Officer Certification and FBI-LEEDA Executive Leadership Certification.
“Having someone of Chief Sylve’s experience is a great addition to our TSTC family,” said Andy Weaver, provost of TSTC’s four West Texas campuses. “His dedication to safety will ensure that all of our campuses are secure and a friendly place to learn and visit. We look forward to his service to our college for years to come.”
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.
