'It's an honor': South Texas ISD swears in first-ever captain, new officers

MERCEDES, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The South Texas Independent School District swore in its first-ever new officers this Tuesday for their new positions within the department.

During the district board's regular meeting, Superintendent Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., and Chief of Police Steven Cortez swore in the first-ever Captain, David Molina, and eight new officers as the department expanded its capabilities over the summer.

Captain  Molina says officers assigned to individual campuses will assist administrators, teachers, staff, and students. Officers will oversee safety, security, and law enforcement operations between all the campuses within three counties on a day-to-day basis.

"It's an honor and it's exciting, right that we're part of history. This is going to be the first department. This department is going to live on for many, right? It's an honor to be part of this district and assist the chief, being part of the STISD family, and assisting the superintendent in creating this," Molina said.