With over 400 employees, serving a community of well over 1 million people, Constable Ted Heap leads one of the largest Constable departments in the Country. A 35-year veteran of law enforcement, Constable Heap has spent his entire career serving the residents of Harris County. When he was elected Constable in 2016, by an overwhelming 87 percent of the vote, he made a promise to improve the department from the top down, and he has kept that promise.
Since taking office he has led the way with law enforcement and community-based initiatives aimed at battling crime, protecting residents, and strengthening communities. These efforts have created safer neighborhoods, parks, and public places. They have forged stronger relationships with other law enforcement agencies, creating opportunities for more effective cooperation throughout the Gulf Coast region.
Constable Heap began with a sweeping agenda that changed the direction of the department. He increased the number of patrol deputies, effecting contracted patrol areas as well as Precinct 5 wide districts. He enhanced the investigative abilities of the department, ensuring that every lead on every reported criminal case was investigated thoroughly. He fielded new units, specially trained and equipped to tackle criminal activity such as narcotics, human trafficking, and illegal gaming.
As a result of these efforts, Precinct 5 has made over 12,000 criminal arrests, seized close to $6 million dollars in criminal assets, cleared 34,000 criminal warrants, and handled 11,500 animal cases.
As a result of these efforts, Precinct 5 has made over 12,000 criminal arrests, seized close to $6 million dollars in criminal assets, cleared 34,000 criminal warrants, and handled 11,500 animal cases. These animal cases were possible due to a multi-agency initiative, started by Constable Heap, to fight animal cruelty and abandonment.
Constable Heap understood that to get these results it would take more than additional deputies and new divisions; it would take increased training standards. To ensure Precinct 5 fielded the most skilled and professional deputies possible, Constable Heap mandated changes that increased the number of training hours for deputies that far exceeded state required minimums.
Recognizing a need to serve the community beyond law enforcement, Constable Heap began a campaign of establishing stronger relationships throughout the community. He started the Business Interaction Program to identify and address the unique needs of businesses, large and small, throughout Precinct 5.
He established the department’s first Community Relations Unit, responsible for offering numerous classes and programs to audiences of all ages. Programs such as Silver Watch, an initiative created to help ensure our senior citizens are safe and healthy. Active Shooter Response Training for civilians, R.A.D. Women’s Self Defense Classes, and the Citizens and Teen Police Academies to name a few others. Since taking office Constable Heap has initiated over 20 community-oriented programs.
Finally, by streamlining departmental policies, identifying new cost-effective practices and technologies, and strengthening the retention of trained and experienced deputies, Constable Heap has remained fiscally responsible, even saving taxpayer money.
Constable Heap and his wife Jennifer have been married for 36 years. They have two sons, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. As a family man and resident of precinct 5, Constable heap shares the same hopes, dreams, and concerns that other families experience. His commitment to the community is evident in his involvement outside of law enforcement.
He was formerly a director on the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 24 board, a director with the Harris County Redevelopment Authority and served as the Regional Chairperson for the Williams Syndrome Association.
Constable Heap is also a spokesman and coach for the Katy Wolf Pack, a Texas Special Olympics team where his younger son, Andrew, is a three-sport gold medalist.
Constable Heap and his family are also active members at St. Edith Stein catholic Community.
Career Accomplishments
- Received his Master's Degree from the University of St. Thomas, Houston.
- 35+ year law enforcement veteran
- Holds a Master Peace Officer license with the State of Texas.
- 2019 Recipient of the State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Professional Acievement
- Recipient of the 2018 Sheriff Johnny Klevenhagen Award presented at the Houston Heroes Awards for his career in law enforcement
- Former director on the Board of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 24
- Former director with the Harris County Redevelopment Authority
- Former regional chair for the Williams Syndrome Association
- Active Coach and volunteer for Special Olympics Texas and the Katy Wolf Pack
- Created Harris County’s first Environmental Enforcement Division
- Runner-Up for the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence
- Co-Chair of Harris County Law Enforcement Technology Committee
Constable Heap invites you to spend some time on this website looking through the reports, videos, photos, and endorsements. You can find even more information on Constable Heap and Precinct 5 on Facebook and the department website.
Or check out the following pieces on Constable Ted Heap.
