HARVEST CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Police Academy
Police Academy
Our Law Enforcement Program can bring you closer to a brighter future by preparing you to take the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) officer license examination.
The Full-Time Police Academy is a 22-week program and the Part-Time Academy is completed in two semesters and a 12-week min-imester. The academy is both academically and physically demanding, with several major exams, skills tests and an exit agility exam.
Our community gives us an identity, a sense of belonging, and a place to call home. So why not make a career out of protecting it?
Police Recruit
Law enforcement agencies have rank structures that are very similar to the military. Typically, a police department's chain of command will start with the rank of officer or deputy, or in the case of state agencies, trooper. The ranks will include sergeants, lieutenants, captains, and majors. At the bottom of the ladder is the police academy recruit.
Police Academies
Above all else, police academies are places of learning. Each state has different requirements dealing with the mandated curriculum and training hours a recruit has to have before getting law enforcement or POST certification. Typically, academy recruits will spend upwards of 800 hours or more in training before they graduate. Most of this instruction takes place in a classroom.
Police Academy Application Details
Minimum General Requirements
Entry into the police academy is governed by the Texas Commission On Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Following admission to South Texas College, the minimum requirements for acceptance into the Police.
Academy are outlined below:
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Must be 21 years old
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Must be a U.S. Citizen
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Must have an honorable discharge from the military (if applicable)
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Must never have been convicted of a Class A Misdemeanor or above
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Not been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years
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Must have a GED or high school diploma
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Must submit to a urine analysis
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Must complete a Polygraph exam
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Must complete a physical fitness exam
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Must complete comprehensive medical and psychological screenings
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An application for the police academy also needs to be filled out in addition to the application to South Texas College in order to be considered for the program.
Screening
The screening process requires a physical agility test, polygraph examination, psychological screening, medical and drug screening, fingerprint submission for criminal history check and background investigation. There are costs associated with the screenings: polygraph examination, psychological screening, medical screening, and fingerprint submission.
Financial aid does not cover the costs of the screening or examinations.
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