Law Enforcement Academy
Mission
The mission of the Laredo College Regional Law Enforcement Academy is to provide the highest quality law enforcement instruction to its Cadets and to insure at all times that the standards and requirements of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) are met or exceeded.
Types of Licensing Courses Offered : Basic Peace Officer, Basic County Corrections, Telecommunicator
This program requires sponsorship from Law Enforcement Agencies for enrollment. It is the students responsibility to obtain and seek sponsorship for the type of license sought.
Admission Process
Students seeking admission into the Law Enforcement Academy must:
- Be at least 21 years of age, or become 21 years of age before course completions, or 18 years of age if the applicant has received an associate's degree or 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university.
- Be a high school graduate
- Be a US Citizen
- Be sponsored by a Law Enforcement Agency and meet all State rules and regulations (background investigation, fingerprints, psychological, physical, age and education). Sponsoring Agency must provide a marked vehicle for Emergency Driving and Patrol Procedures components of the Basic Peace Officer Course.
- Pass physical fitness assessment based on the Law Enforcement ageless genderless validation study by Tom Collingwood, Ph.D. The assessment includes:
- 1.5 miles run 15:20
- 29 push-ups
- 31 sit-ups
Application Packet
Law Enforcement Academy application packets must be requested by Law Enforcement Agency. Completed applications are due at Orientation. For more information contact the department at 956-794-4908.
The following must be completed:
- Application for Training
- High School Diploma or GED
- college transcript
- Copy of "L-2" Licensee Medical Condition Declaration
- L-2 Attachment
- Copy of "L-3" Licensee Psychological and Emotional Health Declaration
- Liability release form
- Information release form
- FAST Return(Criminal History Clearance)
Progression in Law Enforcement Academy
In order for a Cadet to graduate from the BPOC licensing course and qualify for the TCOLE examination, the following skill proficiency standards must be met. Skill must be applicable to the licensing course sought. There is no appeal process afforded if a skill is not met after remediation is completed. These include but are not limited to:
- Abide by the Law Enforcement Academy Rules and Procedures Student Handbook.
- Maintain a grade average of 80% in all course work attempted in the Academy in order to earn an endorsement for the TCOLE Exam. Obtain an 80% or better on the final exam regardless of average in order to earn an endorsement for the TCOLE Exam.
- Successfully complete the academic and firearms qualifications courses with a minimum score of 70 percent.
- Demonstrate proficiency and competence of safety precautions when handling firearms without loss of physiological and psychological control and maintain proficiency above the State minimum requirement. Proficiency being defined as the advancement of knowledge and skill.
- Successfully and safely complete all academic and skills requirements without loss of physiological and psychological control which include but not limited to: defensive tactics, driving, use of force, patrol procedures and CPR/First Aid course training requirements and simulations.
- Any cadet applying for financial aid will not be covered under the STDC grant funding if available. Once financial aid is awarded cadets are responsible for any cost of tuition and fees not covered.
- A cadet may be dismissed from the Academy for failure to comply with the course pre-enrollment and Texas Commission on Law Enforcement enrollment requirements, including execution of all forms and documents involved with enrollment.