Basic Peace Officer Training

WCJC operates a licensed Police Academy certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Students who successfully complete the required training are eligible for the state licensing examination to become a licensed peace officer in the State of Texas.

The Police Academy offers both day and evening classes. Day classes are held at the Wharton campus, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Evening classes are held at the Richmond campus, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students must register for all courses as a semester block; courses may not be taken individually. A class average of 80% and a minimum grade of 80 on the exams are required to successfully complete the Basic Peace Officer Certificate Course.

College entrance testing (TSI) is NOT required for entrance into the program.

Applicants must meet the following qualifications prior to enrolling in the WCJC Police Academy:

• Apply and meet all admission requirements to WCJC
• Submit a completed program application to receive the required packet for academy attendance.
• Be a high school graduate or received a GED
• Be 21 years of age to enter the Police Academy. 
  If you are not 21, you must be 18 years of age and meet one or more of the following requirements:
  • Received a minimum of 60 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university, or
  • Received an associate degree from an accredited college, or
  • Received an Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States after two (2) years minimum active duty
• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Possess a valid Texas driver’s license
• Have NEVER been convicted of a felony offense
• Have NEVER been, nor currently on, court-ordered community supervision or probation for a Class B Misdemeanor criminal offense or above within the last 10 years
• Have NEVER been convicted for any Class B Misdemeanor criminal offense or above within the last 10 years
• Have NEVER been convicted of a Family Violence offense
• Have NEVER received a dishonorable discharge, or other discharge, based on misconduct that would bar future military service
• Are NOT currently charged with any criminal offense that would bar licensure as a Peace Officer
• Are not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition
• Be examined by the Academy’s designated licensed physician within the past 180 days and be declared, in writing:
  • To be physically sound and free from any defects which may adversely affect the performance of duty as a peace officer, reserve peace officer, or jailer, and
  • To show no trace of drug dependency or illegal drug use after a physical examination, blood test, or other medical test
• Be examined by the Academy’s designated licensed psychologist or psychiatrist within the past 180 days and declared, in writing, to be in satisfactory psychological and emotional health
• Be of good moral character
• Successfully complete all forms required by the WCJC Police Academy
• Successfully complete a timed physical agility exam:
  • 1½ mile run within 18:30 minutes
  • 15 push-ups in one minute
  • 20 sit-ups in one minute
• Be fingerprinted and pass a criminal background check of local, state, and U.S. national records/fingerprint files
• Must have all components of the application completed and submitted by the deadline to be processed for admission to the academy