Texas School Police Refer Thousands to Prosecution

Data shows over 47,000 children aged 10 to 13 have been referred to prosecutors for minor misconduct since 2014.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Texas School Police Refer Thousands to Prosecution

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Texas school resource officers have referred more than 47,000 children aged 10 to 13 to the criminal justice system for minor misconduct since 2014. These referrals for younger students have increased at a higher rate than those involving older teenagers.

Why it matters

The practice highlights the impact of state-mandated security measures in classrooms, which were enacted following mass school shootings. Critics and recent studies question the efficacy of this increased police presence in preventing violence.

Since 2014, Texas officers have processed over 47,000 referrals for children aged 10 to 13, a demographic that falls under the state process for juvenile prosecution. Under current Texas law, children under 10 are ineligible for prosecution.

The players

Texas School Resource Officers

These law enforcement agents are responsible for maintaining security in public schools and managing the referral process for student misconduct.

The details

School resource officers initiate this criminal justice process by taking minors into custody for behaviors deemed to be minor misconduct. Although Texas laws require armed guardians or police in public schools, research suggests this presence does not prevent school shootings.

2014 marked the start of the 47,000 referrals tracked by the investigation.
2018 began the period of national growth for police presence in schools.
2020 saw national calls for police reform following the killing of George Floyd.
2021 was the end of the national period used to measure police growth in schools.
May 2026 is the publication date for the investigation into school police tactics.

Legal Context

The rise in referrals aligns with the broader implementation of Texas school security mandates that required police or armed guards in classrooms. This reliance on law enforcement in schools contradicts findings from other studies suggesting such measures do not curb violence.

Parents and local community members should note that Texas law requires an armed police presence or guardian in every public school. This institutional requirement directly dictates how student behavioral issues are escalated to formal prosecution.

The takeaway

The data suggests that criminalizing minor student misconduct does not improve school safety as originally intended by state legislators. Policymakers and residents are now weighing whether current security mandates provide a tangible benefit to the student population.