SpaceX's Starbase Establishes Independent Municipal Police Department in South Texas

Starbase, the SpaceX-operated company town in South Texas, is establishing its own municipal police department following a city commission vote during a special meeting on Tuesday. The initiative requires approval from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) before becoming operational.

According to the approved ordinance, the department will be led by a chief of police appointed by the city commission and is expected to employ eight officers. The department could become operational within several months, pending regulatory approval.

"There is a lot of assets here with the operations of SpaceX," stated Starbase city administrator Kent Myers. "Those assets need to be protected, and so the police department will play a critical part in protecting those assets."

The city has reportedly engaged Vision Quest Solutions, a security consulting firm, to develop the departmental infrastructure. It remains unclear whether Starbase has formally submitted its application to TCOLE, as neither the city nor the commission responded to inquiries.

Geographic and Operational Context

Starbase serves as the primary manufacturing and testing facility for SpaceX's Starship rocket prototype. The municipality maintains a small population of several hundred residents, predominantly SpaceX employees and their families. The town's geographic isolation—approximately 10 miles from the nearest neighboring city of Brownsville, requiring 45 minutes or more of travel time—underscores the need for localized public services.

Infrastructure Development

The police department represents the latest expansion of municipal services since Starbase's incorporation as a city last year. Previous developments include:

• October establishment of a volunteer fire department staffed by SpaceX employees
• Creation of a fire marshal position
• Implementation of independent building inspection and permitting processes

Previous Law Enforcement Arrangements

Starbase initially contracted with the Cameron County Sheriff's Office under a $3.5 million, five-year agreement to provide law enforcement services. The contract stipulated deployment of two deputies on patrol at any given time, with eight deputies total assigned to the jurisdiction.

Additionally, Starbase secured an agreement with the sheriff's office for detention services, committing to pay $100 per day per inmate plus reimbursement for additional expenses such as medical care.

"We didn't have a lot of success in finding deputies through the county, so we decided to change direction," Myers explained. Sheriff Manuel Treviño indicated that the lack of civil service protections in the contract contributed to recruitment difficulties.

Sources:
Starbase City Commission Meeting Documents
Valley Central News Report