The mission of the Van Alstyne Police Department is to improve the quality of life for all who live in, or visit our community by delivering professional, effective police service. Protect the person, the property and the constitutional rights of the person, and by impartial enforcements of the laws of the City of Van Alstyne and the State of Texas within the framework of the United States Constitution.
Vision Statement:
The Van Alstyne Police Department vision is twofold:
- That all people within the City of Van Alstyne feel safe in their homes and businesses.
- Continue to develop a professional police organization through training, education, and
hard work that will recognize us as one of the top law enforcement agencies in North Texas.
Integrity:
All members of the VAPD must realize that integrity is a valuable commodity to be protected at all cost. Honesty will always be the guide in dealing with the community and with each other.
Professionalism:
We must recognize that our success is dependent upon the trust and confidence of the citizens of our community and fellow officers, and we shall always engage in behavior that is beyond reproach. We will remain forever committed to the highest level of standards within the law enforcement profession.
Loyalty:
All members shall recognize that their allegiance is first to the community, then to the department’s mission and then to the government agency that employs them. Commitment to the department must be over and above that of any individual member of the department.
Courage:
Officers must meet all challenges, all adversity, and every level of danger with recognition of the higher standards for which we are accountable. Each officer must be able to control his/her fear for the safety of themselves and those we serve. We will support each other at all times for the common safety of all involved.
Compassion:
The role of the police department is to resolve conflict through impartial enforcement of the law, not through the burden of judgment or punishment. All victims, complainants, witnesses and other deserving people shall be treated with compassion.
Teamwork:
Law enforcement and public safety are of community-wide concern; thus we must actively build effective working relationships with the citizens of Van Alstyne to prepare for ongoing growth, promote pride in our city, this agency, and our profession.
Leadership:
We must understand the importance of community values and expectations, be responsive to the concerns of all citizens and encourage all officers to expand their role in helping the community develop into a better place to live.
Fairness/Equality:
Police Officers shall be aware of the extent and the limitation of their authority in the enforcement of the law, and shall endeavor to uphold the spirit of the law, as opposed to merely enforcing the letter of the law. All officers will ensure that all people are treated fairly and equally.
Preserve/Advance:
The department shall uphold this country’s democratic values as embodied in the Constitution and dedicate ourselves to the preservation of life, individual freedom, and justice for all.