TXLEAN By-laws
Last Updated: June 2021
The Texas Law Enforcement Analyst Network (TXLEAN) hereby organizes to create a new sense of cooperation, communication, and unified standards for improved education, training, and awareness within the law enforcement analysis field.
The name of our association shall henceforth be known as the Texas Law Enforcement Analyst Network (TXLEAN).
Section 1. Purpose
The purpose of TXLEAN is to promote the professionalization of the law enforcement analysis field in Texas. Toward this goal, TXLEAN provides a network for the exchange of information, standards, and training.
The functions of the Texas Law Enforcement Analyst Network are:
To provide a leadership role in the training community for Law Enforcement Analysts
Support high standards for professionalism, education, and achievement within the field of Law Enforcement Analysis
The enjoin members from cities and community agencies to our collaborative process
To foster multi-agency collaboration
With the majority approval of the Executive Board TXLEAN is empowered to establish affiliations with other organizations espousing compatible goals and doctrines.
No member shall use the name of the Network in written or verbal correspondence that would imply that the person is speaking on behalf of or being endorsed by the Network without the majority approval of the Executive Board.
TXLEAN shall not align itself or publically support any one political party or its candidates to achieve its goals.
Section 1. The Executive Board
The Executive Board shall be elected by the general membership and will be composed of a President, a Vice President of Administration, a Vice President of Membership, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Law Enforcement Specialist elected as under Article VI. The Information Manager will be an appointed position with a voting role on the board. The Past President shall sit on the Executive Board in an advisory (non-voting) role.
The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Texas Law Enforcement Analyst Network. The President shall preside at meeting of the Network and of the Executive Board. The President shall call all special meetings of the Executive Board by notice to the Secretary.
The President will hold an ex-officio membership in all committees and boards of the TXLEAN. The President will appoint all committee members, except those mandated by other provisions in these by- laws.
The Vice President of Administration shall assume the office and powers of the President in the event that the President is unable to perform. The Vice President of Administration shall preside at meetings of TXLEAN in the absence of the President. The Vice President of Administration will perform all other duties assigned to this position by the President.
The Vice President of Membership shall hold the primary responsibility for recruitment and maintenance of the membership of TXLEAN. The Vice President of Membership shall Chair the Membership Committee, if formed and perform all other duties assigned to the position by the President.
The Secretary shall be responsible for all correspondence of TXLEAN and the transcription and distribution of the minutes of all meetings of TXLEAN and the Executive Board. A copy of each transcription is due within 10 business days following the respective meeting and shall be provided to every sitting board member. If no objectives are documented within 2 business days, the transcription shall be considered official. Transcriptions of meeting minutes will only be available upon request to verified Law Enforcement Analyst members and to the Executive Board members of the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA) at their request.
The Treasurer shall receive and process membership dues. The Treasurer shall distribute the Annual Financial Report for the organization due by January 15th for the previous calendar year. The Treasurer will chair the Financial Committee, which will consist of three total members and shall be responsible for the distribution of funds as approved by the executive board or the general membership.
Members of the Financial Committee will be appointed by the Treasurer and approved by the Executive Board. All monetary disbursements must be reviewed, approved, and signed by the Secretary and one member of the Financial Committee.
The Law Enforcement Specialist is responsible for the recruitment, inclusion, and evaluation of the changing needs of our law enforcement community. The Law Enforcement Specialist must be a commissioned peace officer in the state of Texas and will chair the Law Enforcement Liaison Committee if formed, which will consist of three total members.
The Office of the Past President will be held by the most recent individual to hold the Office of the President, provided they are still able to obtain TXLEAN membership. The Past President is an advisory member of the Executive Board and has no voting authority. For the first two years of TXLEAN this position will be vacant.
The Information Manager is responsible for updating and maintenance of the TXLEAN website. Information Manager will attend regular board meetings and meetings of the membership. Information Manager's membership fee will be waived as compensation for their work.
In the event that the President is unable to perform the duties ascribed – whether permanently or for individual meetings or tasks - the office shall be assumed by the Vice President of Administration, followed by the Vice President of Membership. Vacancies in either of the Vice President positions shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Board for the remainder of the term of office.
All elected board positions and the positions of Past President and Webmaster shall have their membership dues waived and IACA membership covered by TXLEAN for two years following their election into office, this paid membership is dependent on the elected individual remaining in office for their full term. Should the board member end their appointment before the two-year term is complete, they will be responsible for paying dues to remain a member at that time.
Executive Board Meetings shall require a quorum of two members. Consensus will be used to decide issues. In the event an issue cannot be decided by the Board, the issue shall be presented to the regular membership at the next general meeting. At least one board member is required to attend every general meeting or a meeting shall not be held.
Section 1. Non-Discrimination
TXLEAN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, and non- disqualifying mental or physical handicap or veteran’s status.
Full Membership is given to professionals of law enforcement in the state of Texas. Such members will have voting authority. Full membership will be required to pay full membership dues. Such status will be approved by the Vice President of Membership.
Sponsor/Corporate Membership is given to private concerns, such as vendors, etc. Such members will not have voting authority and cannot hold elected office in TXLEAN. Sponsor/Corporate members will be required to pay membership dues at a rate set forth by the executive board. Such status will be approved by the Vice President of Membership.
Student Membership is given to full-time or part-time graduate or undergraduate college and university students interested in law enforcement. Student members will not have voting authority and cannot hold elected office in TXLEAN. Student members will pay dues at a rate set by the executive board. Such status will be approved by the Vice President of Membership.
Out of State Membership is given to those individuals closely linked to Law Enforcement efforts but not actively employed as Texas law enforcement professionals. Access to Law Enforcement Sensitive Information and other features will be determined on a case-by-case basis according to the law enforcement field employment status of the respective member as determined by the Vice President of Membership. Such members will not have voting authority and cannot hold elected office in TXLEAN. Out of State members will pay dues at a rate set by the executive board. Such status will be approved by the Vice President of Membership.
Membership in the Texas Law Enforcement Analyst Network is a privilege, not a right. Membership will be restricted to those law enforcement professionals who demonstrate an interest in law enforcement analysis and support the doctrines and goals of TXLEAN. Membership is retained by the individual, not the agency.
To be considered a member in good standing of TXLEAN, one must have all dues and fees paid and current by the testimony of the Treasurer. Members will remain in good standing for up to 30 calendar days after their renewal date.
All membership status shall be determined on a preliminary basis by the Vice President of Membership, subsequent to affirmation by action of the Membership Committee.
Each full member shall have one vote and may place that vote via an electronic ballot from their verified email recognized by the Executive Board.
All Full Members of TXLEAN in good standing shall hold a right to cast ballots in the election of officers of TXLEAN, to hold office in the organization and to sit on any committee of TXLEAN. Balloting for the election of officers will be electronic.
All Student, Sponsor/Corporate and Out of State members of TXLEAN in good standing hold the right of access to some publications produced by TXLEAN and to information maintained by the organization which is in the public domain (pending payment of necessary dues).
Application for membership in TXLEAN can be made by submitting the application paperwork to the office of the Vice President of Membership along with all applicable dues and fees. Upon receipt of the documents and fees, the Vice President of Membership will review the application and, if finding the applicant in compliance with the regulations and by- laws of TXLEAN, the Vice President of Membership will approve the membership. The Vice President of Membership will be responsible for updating the membership list and directing the dues to the Treasurer.
Membership fees will be proposed by the Executive Board and voted on by the members of TXLEAN on a bi-annual basis.
All new and renewing members are required to pay the membership fees, due on June 1 of each year and valid through May 31st of the following calendar year. There will be a grace period until June 14th during which dues can be paid. Membership dues may be prorated when appropriate. Memberships are on a per person basis, and are therefore non-transferable once a member ends tenure with the associations. The Executive Board has the right to review any appeals to this stipulation on a case by case basis.
Suspension: Suspension will be a result of non-payment of dues, following the expiration of the 30 calendar day grace period.
Termination: The Executive Board will investigate all allegations of misconduct. If it is determined that any member has violated the terms contained within these by-laws, the general membership may terminate that member from the Network. The membership status of any individual who departs or alters their affiliation with law enforcement or criminal justice agency is subject to review by the Executive Board. In addition, the membership status of any individual is subject to review at any time by the Executive Board.
Section 1. Qualifications
Officers of the TXLEAN must be full members in good standing.
Executive Board members will be elected for two-year terms. Elections for the offices of President, Vice President of Administration, and Secretary will take place in even-numbered years. Elections for the offices of Vice President of Membership, Treasurer, and Law Enforcement Specialist will take place in odd-numbered years. During the inaugural year of TXLEAN (2017) all Executive Board positions will be filled following the standards as prescribed in Section 3 with a subsequent election in 2019, thereafter, all elections will follow the electoral process described within this section.
Nominations and election will be held through an electoral process, with new selectees taking office effective the first of July.
Elections for the offices of President, Vice President of Administration, and Secretary shall take place in even-numbered years. Elections for the offices of Vice President of Membership, Treasurer, and Law Enforcement Specialist shall take place on odd-numbered years.
Nominations are open to all qualified members and positions can be filled by any full time member working for a Law Enforcement agency within the State of Texas.
March 1st of the electoral year/event, an email is sent out notifying all eligible members of the upcoming vacancies and requesting nominations for candidacy for ‘position/s’ that are going to be open for election.
May 1st, members are emailed a ballot with the nominees for open positions listed. Members then vote electronically through May 30th for the candidate of their choosing for any and all open positions.
Votes will be tallied before June 10th and the winner/s will be announced through an email sent out the same day.
6. Those eligible candidates who receive vote pluralities are deemed elected. In the event of a tie, a new vote for the office in question shall be taken within ten (10) business days.
7. Officers shall take their respective offices starting with the first day of July following their election.
Should any Executive Board position, other than the position of President, become vacant because of resignation, expulsion, or lack of candidates during a general election, the remaining members of the Executive Board will have the authority to appoint a full member in good standing to that position for the remainder of that term of office.
Section 1. Meetings
The Executive Board will determine the dates of any general meeting. There will be no less than one general meeting during any calendar year. General meetings will be open to all members including Student and Sponsor/Corporate.
The President of TXLEAN may call a meeting of the Executive Board at any time. There will be, at the least, one Executive Board meeting per year. Such notice will be given not less than seven business days in advance.
Special meetings may be held to discuss or disperse sensitive law enforcement issues and information, on these occasions, attendance will be restricted to members with Full Membership status. Such meetings may be held before or after a general meeting, or may be held on a different date. Attendance may be conditional upon specific security clearances.
A quorum of not less than 25% of the full members of the association will be necessary to conduct business at general, annual, and special meetings.
Section 1. Committee Membership
Appointed members of all committees must be members in good standing of TXLEAN. The President shall appoint all committee members, except those mandated by other provisions of these by- laws, contingent with the approval of a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.
The Executive Board may establish the Finance Committee, to audit and publish the Annual Financial report for TXLEAN. The committee will be chaired by the Treasurer and shall consist of two other appointed members.
The Executive Board may establish a Membership Committee to hear the grievances of the membership and to recruit and promote membership in TXLEAN The committee will be chaired by the Vice President of Membership and shall consist of two other appointed members.
The Training Committee may exist to establish a training agenda, based upon needs and requests of the membership. This committee will be presided by the Vice President of Administration and shall consist of 3 additional members.
The Executive Board has the authority to establish, compose, and dissolve committees with specific agendas, as the need is perceived. The composition and authority of these committees will be duly reported and recorded in the minutes of the Executive Board. The ad hoc committees shall be considered chartered and in force with a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.
The rules and provisions of these by- laws, and any applicable and approved committee regulations will govern TXLEAN. Where the standards and provisions of these by- laws are insufficient to resolve disputes the most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be consulted. The conduct of all meetings and actionable votes of any component of this organization must be held in compliance with TXLEAN Bylaws.
Amendments of these by-laws must be submitted in writing to the Executive Board prior to or at the next scheduled meeting of the general membership of TXLEAN.
The proposed amendment(s) will be distributed to the voting membership 30 days before the next meeting, with prescriptions for a method of voting within 60 days. Members will discuss the proposed change or changes and make amendments before submitting them to the membership for approval.
For approval and amendment of the by-laws, the proposed amendment(s) must receive a favorable response from 2/3 of the votes cast from the voting membership. Each amendment will stand for approval as a single measure. This approval will occur by official ballot. An official ballot will consist of one electronic vote via official email address per voting member.
Any issues not outlined in the Bylaws may be handled by the policy manual.