Civilian Interaction Training.
This chapter covers what a Texas peace officer must know about civilian Interaction Training, along with the statute limits that shape each element, at the level of detail the TCOLE tests.
Chapter 37 study guide.
This chapter is about the traffic stop as a shared script. The Community Safety Education Act requires that officers, high school students and driver education students all be taught the same expectations for a stop. You learn what you are expected to do, and you learn what drivers are being told to do, so that neither side surprises the other.
Study the Seven Step Violator Contact in order, because the order matters. Then learn what the Act requires, what the law does and does not require of you during a stop, what civilians are told about their rights, and the rule on citizens recording police.
Jump to an objective7
The Community Safety Education Act
Senate Bill 30, titled the Community Safety Education Act, was passed by the 85th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature in 2017. Its goal is to give drivers, the public and students information, and to give law enforcement training, on what each side should expect during a contact between officers and motorists.
The Act works in both directions. Drivers are instructed on how to react and communicate with officers during a traffic stop, and those expected driver responses are included in training for new officers and in continuing education for veteran patrol officers. Officers receive best practice instruction on their own expected behaviors and reactions during a citizen contact.
The same kind of information is part of the instructional materials taught to high school students and provided to driver training and driving safety course instructors.
On the exam Know the bill number, the name of the Act, the year, and the groups that receive the instruction.
Senate Bill 30 is titled the Community Safety Act.
The Community Safety Education Act was passed by the Texas Legislature in .
The Act provides information to drivers, the public and students, and training for members of .
Training required by the Act
The Act added Occupations Code 1701.268, the civilian interaction training program. TCOLE and the State Board of Education must enter into a memorandum of understanding that sets each agency’s responsibilities in developing a training program, with training and testing materials, on proper interaction with civilians during traffic stops and other in-person encounters.
The program must cover five topics: the role of law enforcement and the duties and responsibilities of peace officers, a person’s rights concerning interactions with peace officers, proper behavior for civilians and peace officers during interactions, the laws on questioning and detention, and how and where to file a complaint against or a compliment on behalf of a peace officer. The questioning and detention topic includes any law requiring a person to present proof of identity and the consequences for a person’s or officer’s failure to comply.
In developing the program the two agencies may consult any interested party, including a volunteer work group. Before finalizing it they must provide a reasonable period for public comment.
Deadlines: the Civilian Interaction Training course must be completed no later than the second anniversary of the date the officer is licensed, unless the officer completes it as part of basic training. Officers and reserve officers licensed on or before January 1, 2018 had until January 1, 2020.
- Occupations Code Sec. 1701.268 · Civilian Interaction Training ProgramThe commission and the State Board of Education develop, under a memorandum of understanding, a training program on proper interaction with civilians during traffic stops and other in-person encounters, covering five required topics.
- Occupations Code Sec. 1701.253 · School CurriculumSubsection (o) makes the civilian interaction training program part of the minimum curriculum requirements for an officer.
On the exam The “board” in 1701.268 is the State Board of Education, not a law enforcement body.
In Occupations Code 1701.268, “board” means the State Board of .
The commission and the board set their responsibilities in a memorandum of .
An officer who did not take the course in basic training must complete it no later than the anniversary of the date the officer is licensed.
The program must teach how and where to file a complaint against or a on behalf of a peace officer.
Questions on what you just read.
- Question 1 · LO 37.1
Which statement best describes the goal of the Community Safety Education Act (SB 30)?
- Question 2 · LO 37.2
A new officer’s academy did not include the Civilian Interaction Training course. By when must the officer complete it?
- Question 3 · LO 37.2
Under Occupations Code 1701.268, TCOLE develops the civilian interaction training program together with which body?
The rest of Chapter 37.
- LO 37.3The Seven Step Violator Contact4 fill-in-the-blank
- LO 37.4Officer demeanor on traffic stops3 fill-in-the-blank
- LO 37.5How uncertainty and ignorance create tension2 fill-in-the-blank
- LO 37.6What civilians are taught to do when stopped5 statutes and cases · 4 fill-in-the-blank
- LO 37.7Recording of traffic stops2 fill-in-the-blank
A subscription opens the other 5 objectives in this chapter, with 15 more fill-in-the-blank items and 7 more practice questions, along with the study guide for every other BPOC chapter.
Unlock the full guideLast checked against the Texas statutes in September 2026. This guide is a study aid for the TCOLE licensing exam. It is not legal advice, and your academy’s instruction and your department’s policy come first.
The law that drives the questions.
What recruits ask about this chapter.
What should a Texas peace officer understand about community Safety Education Act (SB 30, 85th Regular Session)?
Discuss the Community Safety Education Act (SB 30, 85th Regular Session). Includes: passed by the 85th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature in 2017; goal: to provide information to drivers, the public, students, and training for members of law enforcement, on the expectations that each should have during a contact between officers and motorists;
What should a Texas peace officer understand about required law enforcement training requirements under the Community Safety Education Act?
Discuss the required law enforcement training requirements under the Community Safety Education Act. Includes: required Training Deadlines;
What should a Texas peace officer review about of the Seven Step Violator Contact method?
Review of the Seven Step Violator Contact method. Includes: instructor note: The Seven Step Violator Contact method is required to be taught by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement-licensed academies in the Basic Peace Officer Course. This section should be a review for Texas peace officers.
How does a Texas peace officer identify expectations of officer demeanor on traffic stops?
Identify expectations of officer demeanor on traffic stops. Includes: officers should treat motorists with dignity and respect. Most traffic stops are simple business transactions between a citizen and peace officer. Citizens have a reasonable expectation of being treated fairly and with courtesy;
Related study guides in Patrol Operation.
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