The basic course for peace officers is designed for persons desiring to obtain the peace officer’s license and begin a career in law enforcement. The training curriculum, as mandated by law, is standardized by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Upon successful completion of this curriculum, Students will be awarded a certificate of proficiency and may be eligible to take the state licensure (TCOLE exam) examination to become a Texas Peace Officer.

The entire sequence of courses must be successfully completed within 12 months in order to qualify 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 1135, CJLE 1136, CJLE 1137, CJLE 1138, CJLE 1506, CJLE 1512, CJLE 1518, CJLE 1524, and CJLE 1329.

To qualify for the Certificate of Proficiency, the student must complete a Capstone Experience during the final semester of the program.

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 Admission Requirements

Mandatory Minimum REQUIREMENTS by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE):
- You must be a citizen of the United States
- You must have a high school diploma or GED
- You must be 21 years of age before academy graduation (19 ½ with a minimum of 60 college hours)
- You must have never been convicted of an offense involving family violence
- You must have a valid driver’s license and not be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle
- You must be eligible to purchase a handgun and ammunition (although both will be provided for academy)
- If prior military, you have an honorable discharge after 24 months of active military service
- Applicant may NOT be licensed if:

• You have a Class B misdemeanor conviction in the last ten (10) years or community supervision/ probation in the last ten years

-OR-

• You have a Class A or Felony conviction or have ever been on community- based supervision or parole even if an offense was held as “deferred adjudication.”

Go to https://www.tcole.texas.gov and select “LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION” then “TEXAS PEACE OFFICERS AND RESERVE” and “CHAPTER 217 ENROLLMENT” for a more complete list of requirements.

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of South Plains College, students who wish to enter the Law Enforcement Police Academy program must make separate application to the program, and complete the following requirements:

1. TAKE ENTRANCE TEST/ Physical Standards Test. Prior to test date, contact Debbie Hale at dhale@southplainscollege.edu for instructions about testing including times, dates, and procedures. Applicants must make a passing score of 70% or better. Following the successful completion of the written exam, candidate will row 2000 meters on the Concept2 Rowing machine in less than 11 min.

2. PASS TESTS. Once you have passed the entrance exam process (written and physical), you will be given a packet to get fingerprints/background check complete. This will be done at the STUDENTS expense. Completion of the Personal History Statement (PHS) packet will also need to be done.

3. APPROVED. Once your background has been received, the department secretary will contact you and notify you of your TCOLE eligibility.

4. INTERVIEW. About 3 weeks prior to the start of the academy, you will have set an appointment for an interview with the Academy Coordinator and board. By this time, you need to have all COMPLETED documents on file with the department assistant including PHS, required military documents (if applicable) and all other required documentation. Failure to do so will cause you to be disqualified from the process. You will also be given information for the Psychological Exam and Medical/Drug Screen. The medical exam, drug screen, and psychological will all be at the expense of the STUDENT and must be done on the forms provided. All of these items will be valid for 180 days AFTER successful graduation and may be submitted to potential employers.

5. ACCEPTANCE/ COMMUNICATION: Upon successful completion of Step 4, you will be notified of your eligibility status. IT IS IMPORTANT you check the email you provide the department assistant for information about the academy. Fail to communicate effectively will result in your removal from the process.

Program advisor is Kenny Burns, Program Coordinator and Professor of Law Enforcement Technology, (806) 716-2357.

Certificate of Proficiency