In Partnership for safer communities
This is vision of the Texas Citizens on Patrol Association (TCOPA). In June of 2008 several law enforcement agencies from around Texas joined together at the first ever TCOPA state Conference. It was held in Grandbury ,Texas and there at that conference was the formation of the Texas Citizens on Patrol Association. It was intended to be a not for profit 501-3c tax exempt organization. It was formed with the intent to help Citizens on Patrol organizations across the great state of Texas become more organized, better trained, and provide resource sharing so that they can be successful in their communities. Success comes by helping to reduce crime and supporting their law enforcement agencies through observing and reporting crime.
Together we are strong
The Board
To contact us please send an email to the TCOPA Board
2025 TCOPA Board
President Angelo Marmarinos
Angelo Marmarinos serves as President of the Texas Citizens on Patrol Association (TCOPA) and is passionate about volunteerism, community engagement, and strengthening partnerships between law enforcement agencies and the citizens who volunteer alongside them.
Angelo is a Lieutenant with the Round Rock Police Department, assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. In his current role, he oversees the Narcotics Unit, Special Investigations Unit, and White Collar Unit. He also supervises the Community Affairs Unit and the department’s volunteer program, allowing him to remain closely connected to community engagement and law enforcement volunteerism while serving in an investigative leadership role.
Throughout his law enforcement career, Angelo has served in a variety of assignments and leadership positions, including patrol, DWI enforcement, field training, community affairs, and criminal investigations. These experiences have helped shape his leadership philosophy of developing people, building strong teams, embracing innovation, and creating meaningful partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Prior to beginning his law enforcement career, Angelo proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from McMurry University, is a Texas Master Peace Officer, and is a graduate of the National Command & Staff College, where he completed the MAGNUS Leadership Program in 2026. His continued professional development reflects his commitment to leadership, organizational excellence, and service to the law enforcement profession and his community.
Angelo’s involvement with Citizens on Patrol has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his career. Working alongside dedicated volunteers has strengthened his belief that properly trained and engaged volunteers can serve as tremendous force multipliers for law enforcement agencies while providing citizens with meaningful opportunities to serve their communities.
As TCOPA President, Angelo is committed to growing the association, expanding quality training opportunities, strengthening regional participation, improving communication and collaboration among COP programs, and building partnerships between law enforcement agencies and volunteers throughout Texas. He believes TCOPA provides an important opportunity for volunteers and law enforcement professionals from across the state to learn from one another, share successful ideas, and strengthen their local programs.
A message from your TCOPA President,
Thank you all for visiting our website to learn more about this great organization. Please know that your TCOPA board members and I are working diligently to update the website with new material to make it more user friendly. Our goal is to enhance the quality of members with updated training, develop official training curriculum, and share resources for crime prevention efforts. When our members thrive within their respected communities, we thrive. The state of Texas is large and C.O.P.’s across our great state all has one thing in common. Each of them all want to make a difference by supporting their officers by honorable service. I’m so thankful for the service each of you do and please know that we support you. Your board members and I are here to assist you and your organization regardless if you are a member. The goal is public safety, and we are committed to achieving it by enhancing our members.
1st Vice president: Royce Gastineau
Royce Gastineau is a Captain with the Decatur Police Department and currently oversees the Support Services Division. He coordinates the Decatur Police Department Citizens Police Academy and oversees the Citizens on Patrol program. Captain Gastineau is also the assigned Liaison Officer to the Decatur Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. He is active in community programs and oversees numerous projects, including National Night Out, Santa Cops, Back the Blue Scholarship Golf Tournament, Summer Vacation Day at Decatur PD, and the Youth Law Enforcement program.
2nd Vice president: George Joos
George started his volunteering at Round Rock by graduating with class 5 of the Round Rock Citizens Police Academy in 1999. George has served multiple terms on the Alumni Association board, various committees, and was a founding member of the Citizens on Patrol in 2002. In 2006 he was appointed Field Trainer for the COP. In 2019 and again in 2025 George served as the Secretary and webmaster of the Planning Committee for the successful Texas Citizen on Patrol state convention held in Round Rock. He currently holds the position as the COP Administrative Coordinator responsible for scheduling/tracking patrols and training along with equipment maintenance. At the TCOPA 2025 Conference George was recognized as the Volunteer Coordinator of the Year award.
In addition George has worked in the semiconductor industry for over 30 years. Currently he holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineer and Master of Science in Computer Engineering. George is currently working with the CPU/Graphics design team at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) in Austin.
Secretary : Sherry Parker
My name is Sherry Parker. I have been employed by the Blinn College District Police Department as an administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police for the past 13 years. I am also on the CIRT team at Blinn. I graduated in 2019 with my Bachelors in Criminal Justice. Previously I was a member of the Citizens on Patrol for the Brenham Police Department for 7 years following the completion of their Citizens Police Academy Class 30. I also served as secretary of the Citizens on Patrol Alumni Association for Brenham Police Department. I became a member of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office’s Citizens on Patrol in September 2023. There I have a larger portion of the community to serve. I also enjoy serving the Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies in the capacity that we are trained and called upon to assist them. I also serve as the secretary for the Washington County Police Officer’s Association, as well as an associate member of the Brenham Fire Department. I have had the pleasure of serving as secretary for TCOPA since August 2025. When I’m not volunteering, I love sewing, cross-stitching, reading and spending time with my family.
Treasurer: Karen Williams
Karen Williams is a longtime resident of Celina, Texas, and a dedicated community volunteer with a passion for serving others. She brings more than 40 years of experience as a flight attendant with American Airlines, a career that has allowed her to develop strong skills in communication, leadership, customer service, and working with people from all walks of life.
Since 2021, Karen has proudly volunteered with the Celina Police Department, supporting officers and the department through community events, special assignments, and training. In the past year alone, she dedicated nearly 300 volunteer hours to assisting the Celina Police Department and serving the Celina community.
Karen considers it an honor and a privilege to support the men and women of the Celina Police Department. She is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community she calls home and is committed to making a positive difference through service, dedication, and a willingness to help wherever needed.
Parlimentarian : Allan Nurenberg
Over the last 8 years, Allan has served on the Board of Directors for the Round Rock Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association as President and Vice-President all while acting as one of the Citizen on Patrols Field Trainers. He currently holds the position as the COP Training Coordinator implementing training curriculum and performance standards for the program. In 2018, Allan was the recipient of the Thomas Windham COP Member of the Year Award from the Texas Citizens on Patrol Association.
Allan also served as the volunteer Planning Committee Chairman for the very successful 2019 and 2025 Texas Citizen on Patrol annual state convention that were held in Round Rock.
In addition to his volunteer resume, Allan is a multi-unit franchise owner and is on the Board of Directors, National Creative Committee, Marketing and Operations committee for his national franchisee association.
Allan and his family love to spend time down at the beach in Port Aransas or on the lake in Austin.
Region 1 President: OPEN
Region 2 president : Brandie Doughtie
I currently work for the Fort Worth Police Department. I am the North Division Citizens On Patrol Volunteer Coordinator. I am
excited to represent Region 2. I am also a graduate from our CPA. I am a retired (25+ years) flight attendant, while in that job I held several positions including AFL-CIO Local ASA84 – President, Negotiations team member, trained with the National Mediation Board. While working and raising my family I volunteered with Northwest ISD. Was awarded volunteer of the year in 2017. I have always believed in given back and being engaged with whatever you are passionate about. I have my
Bachelor of Arts from UTA and Certified Mediator and Family Mediator from Texas Wesleyan School of Law.
As newly elected President of Region 2, I am grateful for the chance to serve on the TCOPA Board and am eager to support the expansion of both the organization and local COP groups in region 2 and across Texas.
Region 3 President: Open
Region 4 President: Phil Niewald
In 2010, Phil started being involved with Citizens Police Academies. His COP volunteering began in 2015 with LaPorte COP and soon became an instructor. 2024, LaPorte CPA Alumni elected Phil to a new position as VP-COP to help restart their COP operation. In 2017 he founded the COP program for Humble PD.
He currently is an instructor for LaPorte COP and Director/Lead Field Trainer for Humble COP. Also, he is working with other agencies to start or revamp COP programs in the southeast Texas region. He held a Regional Day of Training partnering with LaPorte and works cross training with several of the area COP teams.
Phil is an active and current member of several CPA alumni. Not only volunteers but is on board positions for several of them. Being active in Houston, Humble, DPS, HCSO, MCSO, DEA and FBI fills the pages of the calendar each month! In 2011, he was asked to be in the first DPS Citizens Academy in Texas, class 001. Besides CPA’s he has been on the SE TEX MADD Advisory Board, and one of the original members MADD First Responders Support Team.
On a state level, since 2018, Phil has been on the Texas CPAAA Board as 2nd VP. In 2022, he joined the TCOPA Board as President Region 4.
Phil retired in 2019 from the supply chain, distribution and fleet leasing industry. During his career he relocated to several cities throughout the US before finally settling in Houston. Prior to getting involved in volunteering for law enforcement support, his hobby was Quarter Master and Instructor 19 years for the Texas Tall Ship ELISSA.
