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 may 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 Technology degree plan: CJLE 1172, CJLE 1211, CJLE 1506, CJLE 1512, CJLE 1518, CJLE 1524, CJLE 1175, CJLE 1176, CJLE 1177, and CJLE 1178.

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 or 18 years of age if they have completed an associate’s degree or 60 hours of college credit from an accredited college or university or has been honorably discharded from the military with at least two years of active service. 
2. Must be a U.S. citizen.
3. Must have received a high school diploma, GED or have 12 hours of college credit.
4. Is not currently under indictment for any criminal offense that would bar licensure. 
5. Has never been under 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. Has never been convicted of any family violence offense.
7. Is not prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle.
8. Is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
9. Has not been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions.
10. 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.
11. Must be examined by a licensed psycharists, medical doctor and pass a drug use examination prior to admittance into the academy. (See below application process for further information.)
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) 716-2291.
2. Upon successful completion of the Academy Entrance Examination with a 70% or better and conference with the Academy Coordinator, you will be required to fill out a preliminary application with general information and instructed to provide required information to start your personal file. 
3. You will then be required to make an appointment for an interview with the program coordinator and director of training, the results of which will be part of the final entrance examination score.
4. You will then be required to submit to a medical physical examination by a licensed physician familiar with the physical requirements of being a peace officer; a licensed Psychiatrists, or Psychologists, licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, familiar with the mental health requirements of being a peace officer and submit to a drug test that would detect any dependence on illegal drug use all at the applicants expense.
5. Applicant will also be required to submit to a criminal history background check prior to admittance.
6. 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.
7. Admission to the SPC Police Academy will be based on the Academy Coordinator’s approval after all application procedures have been completed and all necessary paperwork and examinations have been completed. 
8. All tuition and fees must be paid 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 degree program options may be available.