Elon Musk's SpaceX has initiated plans to create a police department in Starbase, the company town located in South Texas. This decision comes after the city commission approved an ordinance aimed at establishing a municipal police force, pending the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement's (TCOLE) endorsement.
The newly formed department will be led by a chief of police, elected by the city's commission, and is anticipated to hire eight officers in the near future. According to local reports, this initiative could be operational within a few months.
Starbase city administrator Kent Myers emphasized the importance of protecting the numerous assets associated with SpaceX's operations, stating, "Those assets need to be protected, and so the police department will play a critical part in protecting those assets."
While it remains unclear if Starbase has formally submitted its application to TCOLE, the city has reportedly engaged Vision Quest Solutions, a security consulting firm, to assist in developing the police department.
Starbase serves as the hub for SpaceX's Starship rocket prototypes, currently housing a few hundred residents, primarily consisting of SpaceX employees and their families. Its remote location, with the nearest town, Brownsville, about 10 miles away, adds to the necessity for a dedicated police force.
The establishment of a police department marks a significant step in expanding public services in Starbase, which was incorporated as a city last year. In October, a group of SpaceX employees formed a volunteer fire department, and the city also created a fire marshal position along with its own building inspection and permitting processes.
Initially, Starbase attempted to manage law enforcement through a contract with the Cameron County sheriff's office, which included a $3.5 million agreement to have deputies patrol the area. However, due to challenges in securing deputies, the city decided to pursue an independent police department instead.
In addition, Starbase had an arrangement with the sheriff's office to utilize the county jail, agreeing to cover costs per inmate, but this deal has faced difficulties as well.