- Updated: February 4, 2026
- 1 min read
Starbase Gets Its Own Police Force: SpaceX’s Company Town Launches Municipal Police Department
Elon Musk’s private aerospace hub, Starbase, in South Texas is taking a major step toward self‑governance by establishing its own municipal police department. The move, which still awaits final approval from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, aims to protect the rapidly expanding launch facilities, research labs, and the growing community of employees and contractors.
The proposed department will initially hire eight officers, with plans to expand as the town’s population and infrastructure grow. Starbase already operates a volunteer fire department and has begun conducting building inspections, signaling a broader push toward a fully serviced company town.
Earlier this year, SpaceX attempted to partner with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office for security services, but the contract fell through, prompting the company to develop its own law‑enforcement capabilities. The new police force will focus on safeguarding critical assets, ensuring safety during launch operations, and providing routine community policing.
For more insight into SpaceX’s ambitious expansion plans, check out our deep‑dive on Starbase’s growth and the overview of Texas’s booming space industry.
Read the original story on TechCrunch for additional details: Elon Musk’s SpaceX Company Town Is Getting a Police Department.
