Law Enforcement Academy

Enrollment Standards

If you're interested in attending any Basic Peace Officer Academy, you must meet all enrollment standards set forth by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. These standards are firm and do not provide for any exceptions. Please review them carefully by visiting the Texas Administrative Code and locating Chapter 217.1  Minimum Enrollment and Licensing Standards. Applicants must also complete a Personal History Statement available through the Academy before applying. 

General Guidelines

The cost for the Academy includes six courses: Basic Peace Officer I, II, III, IV, V, and Patrol Procedures which will be completed in sequence to constitute the TCOLE-approved Basic Peace Officer Academy for a total of 803 hours of instruction. Students must register in all six courses concurrently. Space is limited in the Basic Peace Officer Academy so please register early. Application and associated paperwork are available at TJC West Campus, Office of Continuing Studies, 1530 SSW Loop 323, Tyler, Texas.

The tuition and fees for the Academy do not cover the cost of uniforms and other equipment a cadet will be responsible for supplying. Other expenses such as physicals, drug screening, criminal background investigation, and psych evaluation are not covered under tuition and fees. Independent cadets are responsible for those expenses. The cadet’s sponsoring agency may furnish some of the additional equipment.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the Law Enforcement Academy is covered under VA benefits and the Texas Hazlewood Act.

Course Information

The Basic Peace Officer Academy includes all sections, which must be completed sequentially to constitute the TCOLE-approved Basic Peace Officer Course. Students must register for all sections concurrently. 

The start date for Basic Peace Officer Academy #38 is pending; please check back in September for more information.

For information concerning the admission process, please contact the Office of Continuing Studies at (903) 510-2900.

BASIC PEACE OFFICER ACADEMY    $999

Awarded Credit Hours: Once you successfully pass the state Peace Officer-licensing exam and upon applying to TJC, you may be awarded up to 12 hours of college credit.