Southlake's School Resource Officer team has won the 2026 Texas School Safety Spotlight Award, a statewide honor recognizing the unit's year-round partnership with Carroll ISD to keep campuses secure.

The City of Southlake announced the award on Monday, Aug. 10, as Carroll ISD prepares for the new school year. The Texas School Safety Center, housed at Texas State University, presents the award each year at the Texas School Safety Conference to recognize programs that demonstrate innovative, collaborative approaches to protecting students.

Mayor Shawn McCaskill visited Carroll Senior High School for an episode of SLK City Spotlight that aired Monday, Aug. 10, to showcase how the SRO team prepares for the school year. McCaskill wrote on Facebook on Aug. 3 that the team won the award "for their work protecting our Dragons at school."

The SRO team is led by Captain Blas Hernandez of the Southlake Police Department. Officer Anthony Pate was also named individually as an award recipient, according to the city's official Instagram account.

The team spends months before each school year training and coordinating with Carroll ISD administrators, teachers and staff. That preparation covers emergency planning and building relationships on campus.

Joining the SRO team for the 2026-27 school year is Officer Robert Brown, who brings more than 30 years of police experience, McCaskill said on Facebook.

Southlake was one of five individuals, partnerships and districts recognized statewide. Kathy Martinez-Prather, director of the Texas School Safety Center, said in a statement shared by the center that the winners' work "will inspire others and offer models to inform safety practices throughout the state."

The recognition is notable.

The award comes as Carroll ISD's school safety posture has drawn attention heading into the new year. Board President Cam Bryan noted at a special board workshop in early August that principals had successfully completed Texas Education Agency intruder audits.

Residents who want to learn more about the SRO program can watch the SLK City Spotlight episode on the City of Southlake's Facebook page.