Law Enforcement Academy
Law Enforcement professionals perform a valuable and essential service for society. They function to prevent and control crime, shield the public from harm, provide detention and rehabilitation services and ensure equal justice for all citizens through the judicial system.
The Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy strives to prepare students mentally, morally, and physically to advance into a field-training program, assume the responsibilities and execute the duties of a peace officer in society.
This Academy also strives to assure the missions of TCOLE and Galveston College are met.
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Law Enforcement (Full Time)
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Law Enforcement (Part Time)
- Certificate - Law Enforcement - Level One
See the full college catalog for additional information and course descriptions.
The Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy offers a full-time and part-time academy for individuals who are seeking their Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) basic peace officers license.
The basic academy program involves 736 hours of classroom and hands-on training. This course is available to police departments sending recruits, or individual applicants. Completion of this training allows individuals to take the TCOLE licensing examination to become a licensed Texas Peace Officer.
All prospective students can pick up a Law Enforcement Academy application or have one emailed to them. Students can email the Law Enforcement Academy Program Director to receive an enrollment packet.
Successful applicants will be notified by email of acceptance to the program.
For acceptance to the Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy individuals (hired cadets or individual applicants) must meet the most current standards as established under the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 7, Chapter 213, Rule 217.1, Minimum Standards for Enrollment and Licensure.
All applicants must meet Galveston College’s current enrollment requirements.
Basic qualifications for admittance, each prospective student must meet the following criteria:
- High school graduate, GED, or 12 hours from an accredited college
- 21 years of age at the time of licensure
- No felony convictions
- No convictions of a Class B misdemeanor or above within the last ten (10) years
- No family violence convictions
- Pass a drug test, psychological screening, physical, and background check
The basic academy program is available to individuals who meet admission standards and are accepted for attendance. Attendees must be prepared for a demanding program. The process is mentally and physically challenging. There are significant time demands both in and out of the classroom. But the rewards are high for those who are capable of the challenge. Policing is an honorable profession. Service to others is a high calling, one that few are willing to accept in their lives.
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive 22 college credits and be qualified to sit for the state licensing exam. After passing the exam you will be certified by the State of Texas to obtain employment.
Still interested?
Training Coordinators should contact the Academy Director directly. If you are applying as an independent applicant, your first step is to go to the Program Application tab and send the director an email.
- General – All Applicants
- For acceptance to the Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy individuals (hired cadets or individual applicants) must meet the most current standards as established under the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 7, Chapter 213, Rule 217.1, Minimum Standards for Enrollment and Licensure.
- All applicants must meet Galveston College's current enrollment requirements.
- Individual Applicants
- Automatic disqualifiers for individual applicants include anything that would exclude the applicant from meeting the most current standards as established under the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37,Part 7, Chapter 213, Rule 217.1, Minimum Standards for Enrollment and Licensure.
- Other factors that will be considered prior to acceptance into the Galveston College
Law Enforcement Academy include, but are not limited to:
- Any pending litigation-criminal or civil (including divorce)
- Evidence of good character and having a stable school, work and driving record
- Reputation of the individual with schoolmates, work associates, coaches, teachers, etc.
- The law enforcement academy coordinator shall make the final determination in allowing a cadet to enter the academy program.
- Enrollment
- Upon approval to attend a police academy class, applicants must complete all required Galveston College enrollment processes.
- Applicants are responsible for obtaining and displaying motor vehicle parking permits on campus and for complying with regulations for parking, paying traffic fines, and obeying speed limits.
- Applicants are responsible for prompt payment of all financial obligations to the College.
- Disabilities
- Any cadet who has a disability or who claims a disability according to the rules of the Americans with Disabilities Act must notify Galveston College (Student Services) of the disability in sufficient time to allow the Academy to make necessary accommodations consistent with the ADA prior to the commencement of classes.
- Failure to notify the Academy in a timely manner will result in a delay of acceptance into an Academy basic program until the following basic program.
- It is the cadet’s responsibility to inform the Academy of a disability requiring accommodations.
Employment opportunities for both men and women have never been better. The need is critical.
Texas Employment Trends - Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Employment(2020) 58,020 employees
Projected employment(2030) 65,470 employees
Projected growth(by 2020-2032) 13%
Projected annual job openings(2020-2030) 5,420
Coming Soon!
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Fall 2024 Full-Time Academy |
Fall 2024 Part-Time Academy |
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Starts: August 12, 2024 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday Some Saturdays |
Starts: August 12, 2024 Hours: 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday - Friday Some Saturdays |
Applications for Fall 2024 classes will be sent out in May 2024!
Summer 2024 (All CE Classes are for certified Texas Peace Officers)
June 2024
June 3 Legislative Update (Mandated) (Course 3188)
Course Description: This material is a general summary of selected court cases and changes to Texas’ criminal law as wrought by the 88th session of the Texas Legislature. This is not an all-inclusive recitation of every change, nor is it intended as legal advice. If you have any questions, consult your local city, county, or district attorney.
8:00 am – 5:00 PM (8 hrs.) [$50]
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
June 6 Canine Encounters (Course 4065)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a legislated requirement designed to equip officers with the necessary knowledge and skills for Canine Encounters.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (4 hrs.) [$25]
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
June 6 Interacting with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Course 7887)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: As part of the course, officers will learn how to identify someone who is deaf or hard of hearing. They also will learn regulations for law enforcement agencies regarding deaf and hard of hearing individuals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM (4 hrs.) [$25]
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
June 10 De-Escalation Techniques (Course 1849)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course improves officers’ response to incidents involving people in crisis who are behaving erratically. It emphasizes public and officer safety while teaching tactical de-escalation to reduce the intensity of an encounter with a suspect. The training enables officers with additional options for voluntary compliance and to mitigate the need for a higher level of force while they maintain control of the situation.
8:00 AM –4:00 PM (8 hrs.) [$30]
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
June 13 Finding Wellness - Building a Healthier Life (Course 4202)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to teach law enforcement professionals the importance of physical, mental, emotional, and social wellness, and to break down the stigma of mental health in the law enforcement profession.
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (4 hrs.) [$25]
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
June 21 Baton (Course 2053)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this course is to provide officer with information about the operational use of batons. It provides efficient defensive tactics for law enforcement personnel, portation (carrying) and presentation (drawing) procedures as well as striking techniques. The course incorporates drills which simulate the stress of street encounters.
Officers will have a basic understanding of the conditions in which the baton may be used and justification for use.
The course is hands-on and physical exertion will be completed through kicking, kneeing, striking and punching bags.
Limited to 15 seats ONLY.
8:00 AM– 5:00 PM (8 hrs.) [$50]
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
June 24-28 Basic Instructor Course (Course 1014)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This 40-hour program covers teaching-learning dynamics, lesson planning, instructional methods, and evaluation techniques.
Successful completion qualifies you for a TCOLE Instructor Proficiency certificate application.
8:00 AM–4:00 PM Daily (40 hrs.) [$250]
Student Pre-Requisites: Two years experience as a peace officer, telecommunicator, or jailer; or a bachelor’s degree and two years of teaching experience; or a graduate degree. Limited to 10 seats ONLY.
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
July 2024
July 1 Missing & Exploited Children Basic 4-Hour Overview (Course 3275)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a state mandate for TCOLE. It is intended as an introduction to issues related to responding to and investigating missing and exploited children cases, covering subjects like the challenges of reunification, what conditions lead children to go missing from care, grooming techniques commonly used by offenders, and many other subjects.
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (4 hrs.) [$25]
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
July 1 Child Safety Check Alert List (Course 4068)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This important course details the Child Safety Check Alert List law (CSCAL), the purpose of the Child Safety Alert Check List, and instructs Texas Peace Officers and Department of Family & Protective Service personnel on the proper Child Safety Alert Check List reporting methods
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (4 hrs.) [$25]
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
July 3 Cultural Diversity (Course 3939)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a state mandate for TCOLE. The purpose of this training is not just to inform but to increase awareness and understanding, leading to the development of skills that will refine positive communication and enhance productivity in the workforce.
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (8 hrs.) [$50]
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
July 5 O.C. Spray Users Course (Course 3343)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is an exposure class. In order to be certified to carry O.C. Spray, students will need to be exposed to a Level 1 OC exposure.
8:00 AM – 5:00 pm (8 hrs.) [$50]
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
July 9 Human Trafficking (Course 3270)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The purpose of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) approved course, “Law Enforcements Role: Human Trafficking in the State of Texas,” is to increase the law enforcement communities awareness of the issues of human trafficking through the exposure of informational materials and research.
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (4 hrs.) [$25]
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
July 11 Special Investigative Topic (Course 3232)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The special investigative topics consist of: a discussion of the elements of child abuse and neglect, a discussion of the elements of family violence, a discussion of the elements of sexual assault, a discussion of the elements of sex offender characteristics, and a discussion of key changes within the different Texas codes which may impact the officer's performance in these critical areas.
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (8 hrs.) [$50]
[eligible for TCOLE credit hours]
Next Steps
Start the convenient online application process @ GoApplyTexas.
Career Coach is a FREE online tool designed to help you find a great career by providing the most current local data on wages, employment, job postings, and associated education and training.
Through a simple keyword search, you can learn about the employment prospects of differing careers. The real-time information is customized to the College’s geographic region and includes detailed wage estimates and up-to-date job postings associated with any career. Users are directed to the College’s programs when searching for specific jobs.
Career Coach also includes a built-in resume builder to help students and jobseekers quickly put together an updated resume with key skills and previous job experiences.
Financial aid is available to help eligible part-time and full-time students pay for college. It can be a combination of grants, loans and work-study.
To learn more about the types of scholarships and their deadlines, please click on the “Learn More” link below.
Questions? Contact Us.
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Monday-Thursday
7:30 A.M. - 6 P.M.
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409-944-4242
409-944-1500