Offered at the Levelland Campus

The basic course for peace officers is designed for persons desiring to obtain the peace officers license and begin a career in law enforcement. The training curriculum as mandated by law is standardized by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). Upon successful completion of this curriculum, students will be awarded a Certificate of Proficiency and be eligible to take the state licensure examination to be a Texas Peace Officer.

The entire sequence of courses must be successfully completed within 12 months in order to certify a student to take the state license examination to be a peace officer. When an academy graduate completes college residency requirements within one year preceding or following graduation, credit from the academy meets requirements from the following courses in the Associate of Applied Science Law Enforcement degree plan: CJLE 1172, CJLE 1211, CJLE 1506, CJLE 1512, CJLE 1518, CJLE 1524.

This is a TSI-waived certificate. Students declaring this major are not subject to the TSI regulations unless they enroll in a course outside the prescribed curriculum.

Program advisor is Randy Robertson, assistant professor of law enforcement technology and director of training for the police academy.

Program Admission Requirements
(TCLEOSE Rules 2.15.15 and 217.1)

1. Must be 21 years of age.
2. Must be a U.S. citizen.
3. Must have received a high school diploma or GED with 12 hours of college credit, or an honorable discharge from military service.
4. Is not currently under indictment for any criminal offense.
5. Has never been on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order; has never been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a class B misdemeanor in the last ten years.
6. Is not currently under indictment for any criminal offense.
7. Has never been convicted of any family violence offense.
8. Is not prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle.
9. Is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
10. Has not been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions.
11. Has not have had a commission license denied by final order, revoked, currently on suspension for a criminal violation, or have a voluntary surrender of license currently in effect.
12. Has not violated any commission rule or provision of Occupations Code, Chapter 1701.
13. Meets minimum Standards for Licensing as outlined in Article 217.1, TCLEOSE Current Rules, most recent date (See www.tcleose.state.tx.us for most current rules).

Application Procedures

1. Make an appointment with the Academy Secretary to take the academy entrance examination. See: www.southplainscollege.edu/law for details or call (806) 894-9611, ext. 2291.
2. Upon successful completion of the Academy Entrance Examination with a 75% or better and conference with the Academy Coordinator, pay a non-refundable $50 application fee that is used to complete a state and national background check through TCLEOSE.
3. Upon receipt of the application fee, the applicant will be issued an Academy Application form. The Academy Application and all supporting documents must be completed and returned to the Academy Office at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the academy.
4. Complete Application for Admission to South Plains College and submit all required transcripts. Application to the college does not guarantee admission to the police academy. The application is available on line at: www.southplainscollege.edu or by contacting the Registrar’s Office.
5. Admission to the SPC Police Academy will be based on the Academy Coordinator’s approval after all application procedures have been completed.
6. Pay all tuition and fees before the first day of class.

A student who fails to meet the standards outlined in the applicant’s counseling data packet will be refused admission to the academy. In such instances, other law enforcement program options may be available.