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Basic Peace Officer Academy

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1. Is the Academy Right for Me?

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2. Can anyone join a law enforcement academy and become a peace officer?

No, you must meet certain eligibility requirements set by state law and the Alamo Area Regional Law Enforcement Academy. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen. State Law

3. What things may keep me from being eligible to attend the Alamo Area Regional Law Enforcement Academy?

1. Not meeting state required basic educational certifications.
2. In order for an individual to enroll in any basic licensing course the individual must meet the following standards:
a. A search of local, state and national criminal records that:
i. the individual is not currently charged with any criminal offense
ii. the individual has never been on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order.
iii. the individual has never been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years
iv. the individual has never been convicted of any family violence offense
v. the individual is not prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle.
3. An individual who has had a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or a bad conduct discharge from military service will be ineligible.
4. An individual who is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition will be ineligible.

4. Does the Academy disqualify applicants for any other reason than those mentioned above?

You must pass an entrance exam that determines level of basic reading, writing and math skills. In addition, you must also pass a physical examination, psychological examination, drug screening, and meet a physical fitness standard. Failure to pass any one of these requirements will exclude an applicant from the Academy.

There is no college degree exception for the entrance exam requirement and there are no other exceptions to the other entrance standards.

5. How long does a basic academy take to complete?

The Basic Peace Officer Course is over 950 hours. If you are enrolled in the full-time course which is approximately 8 hours per day, you will complete the program in approximately 5-6 months.  Note: Due to the logistics of some blocks of training, there will be approximately 2-3 weekend classes during basic academy training. Students are advised of these dates on Orientation Day.

6. What is the cost of the academy?

Effective November 1, 2016, the basic tuition for this course is $2,900. Tuition covers:
• Class A and Class B AACOG Academy uniforms
• Books
• Use of Academy training pistols, training ammunition, and protective gear
• Use of Academy firearms pistols and shotguns
• Live ammunition for the pistols and shotguns
• Use of Academy patrol vehicles
• Use of duty gear and other equipment (including training baton, training, TASER, and training OC Spray)

• Also in included with the tuition are additional certifications and trainings in:
o CPR/AED training
o Tactical trauma care
o Baton training
o OC “Pepper” Spray training
o TASER (Electronic Control Device)
o Active shooter first responder training
o National Academy for Professional Driving (NAPD) Tactical Police Driving
o Body worn camera training
o RADAR and LIDAR training
Additional Costs: During the application process students must pay for their state mandated medical clearance and drug screening (about $100.00). The state mandated psychological testing is also about $100.00, and the state mandated background check is about $40.00. The cost for the psychological is payable to the Academy, but the medical/drug screen and the background check are payable to the facilities performing the service.

7. Do I have to pay the entire cost up front?

A student is required to pay for the medical/drug screen, the psychological test and background check during the application process. Upon receiving a letter of acceptance, a $400.00 non-refundable deposit is due to the Academy on Orientation Day. Credit card payments are accepted and students will be given instructions on how to pay by credit card when they receive their acceptance letter. A copy of the confirmed payment will need to be brought to the class facilitator to show proof of payment.
Although students are permitted to prepay for everything upfront, a student may opt for our installment plan after the psychological and the $400.00 deposit have been paid to the Academy. The installment plan has no interest rate or fee to participate.
The plan calls for a payment of $625.00 to be paid on the first day of the course, a second payment of $625.00 is due within 45 days, a third payment of $625.00 is due within 90 days from the start of class, and the remaining $625.00 is due within 135 days after the first day of the course.

8. Does the Academy offer any financial assistance?

Other than the installment plan mentioned above, the Academy is approved for V.A. Benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs program.

9. Are uniforms required?

As a traditional police academy, we have standards that govern rules of conduct; including a dress code. This code requires the wearing of the approved Academy uniform. Unless a student is currently employed by a law enforcement agency and is authorized by that agency to wear their dress uniform, all students must wear the approved Academy uniform.

10. Does the Academy require me to purchase a weapon?

No, the Academy will provide all firearms related training weapons. No personal weapons will be allowed at the Academy and during all training.

11. Is there any physical training involved?

The law enforcement profession demands the mastery of many physical skills such a driving, shooting, and defensive tactics. Much of the training will include hands-on instruction requiring the student to participate in physically demanding tasks.

The Academy requires applicants to pass an entrance physical fitness assessment prior to beginning the Academy. The assessment uses elements of the Cooper Institute’s Physical Fitness Assessment battery. These elements include:

1. 1 ½ mile run in 16:31 or less
2. 12 or more push-ups in one minute
3. 22 or more sit-ups in one minute

The standards are derived from the Cooper Institute’s single cut-point standards and are set at the 20th percentile for acceptance to the Academy. The Academy class will conduct physical training two to three days per week. Every cadet is expected to pass a mid-term physical training exam. There will also be a minimum standard for graduation. The final standards are based on the 40th percentile of the Cooper single norms and are as follows:
1. 1 ½ mile run in 14:46 or less
2. 21 or more push-ups in one minute
3. 29 or more sit-ups in one minute

Note: These are the physical training standards for all students regardless of age or gender.

12. How lenient is the Academy on attendance if I have schedule conflicts?

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) mandates attendance requirements. For this reason, the Academy requires, without exception, that you attend 95% of all classroom instruction and 100% of all tactical “hands on” training. Failure to meet this standard will result in termination from the program.

13. Are there any other issues that may cause termination?

Typically poor attendance and poor academics account for a large part of class attrition. However, violations of a stringent code of conduct can result in termination. As a Texas Peace Officer you will be held to a higher ethical and professional standard than the average citizen and this is reinforced in our Academy. Consequently, cadets are required to avoid conduct that is unbecoming to a Peace Officer.

14. Does the Academy assist me with job placement if I successfully complete this course?

Yes. Although the Academy does not have a formal job placement office, law enforcement recruiters frequently visit the Academy, and the Academy holds job fairs for all cadets. We also make every effort to make our cadets aware of job prospects and facilitate the employment process.

15. What do I have to do to get started in the application process for the Academy?

STEP 1
The enrollment process starts with the completion of the attached application and an entrance exam. There is no study guide for the entrance exam. In order to take the entrance exam, you must bring the following required documentation the day of the exam:
1. Payment in the amount of $35.00. (Only payment in the form of a money order, cashier’s check or cash IN THE EXACT AMOUNT will be accepted).
2. Proof of Citizenship (i.e. Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate).
3. Valid driver’s license.
4. Copy of high school diploma or high school transcript reflecting date of completion.
5. Copy of GED.
6. Proof of auto liability insurance.
7. Member 4 Form/DD214 (if prior military).

STEP 2
Upon successful completion of the entrance exam, you will be given a registration packet that will include the following documents:
1. A-1 form to be completed and signed by applicant;
2. Release of Liability and Hold Harmless form to be signed by applicant in front of a notary;
3. Informed consent form to be signed by applicant;
4. Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire to be completed by applicant;
5. Medical Questionnaire to be completed by applicant and reviewed and signed by a licensed physician;
6. Medical Clearance form to be completed and signed by a licensed physician;
7. L-2 form to be completed and signed by a licensed physician after a complete physical exam and drug screen results;
8. L-3 form to be completed and signed by licensed psychologist or psychiatrist after a complete evaluation;
9. F.A.S.T. background check records request to be completed by applicant;
10. Financial Agreement form to be completed and signed by applicant;
11. Letters of Verification to be completed by applicants who are employed by a law enforcement agency and signed by applicant’s agency administrator.

With the exception of the F.A.S.T. background check records request and the psychological test results,, all documents must be returned to the Academy prior to scheduling the physical training entrance exam.

Note: The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) requires all Basic Peace Officer Academy Cadets to complete a Personal History Statement. Applicants should start completing this after they start the application process with the Academy. The Personal History Statement will be due on the first day of class.
TCOLE Personal History Statement

16. How will I know that I've been accepted to the Academy?

Class space is limited. Applicants will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. The first 36 applicants who have successfully completed and returned all documentation will be seated in the current class. All remaining applicants will be seated in the next scheduled class.
Applicants with incomplete documentation will be seated in the next scheduled class after receipt of all completed documents. Applicants will be notified by mail or email two to three weeks prior to the scheduled class date that they have been accepted into the Academy. Applicants are expected to confirm their intention to attend the mandatory orientation day when they receive the email.

17. Is the Academy Veteran Affairs Approved?

Yes.
Tuition Payment Options Tuition Payment Option 1
• Student may pay the entire tuition fee in one payment.
Tuition Payment Option 2
• After the initial $400.00 deposit, the student may make four scheduled payments. The payment schedule is outlined as follows:
• Day 1 of Class: $625.00
• Day 45 of Class: $625.00
• Day 90 of Class: $625.00
• Day 135 of Class: $625.00

Financial Aid Option
Veterans Administration. Students who qualify for Veterans Benefits may call (888) 442- 4551 for verification of these benefits. Students must notify the Academy that they intend to use this as a source of financial aid.
Once approved by the V.A. students will complete all necessary paper work on Orientation Day. Since the V.A. pays the student directly while attending class, the student must make his / her payment under option 1 or 2 listed above.

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