Have you ever dreamed of serving and protecting your community as a police officer?
Our Police Academy is an intensive program designed to prepare you for a career in
law enforcement. From classroom instruction to firearms training, our program covers
all the aspects of policing you’ll need to be successful in the field.
Program Details
Learn more about our Police Academy program and find course descriptions in the WCJC Catalog.
WCJC operates a licensed police academy certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
(TCOLE). Our Police Academy offers daytime classes on the Wharton Campus from Monday
to Friday 7:30 am - 4:30 pm. Evening classes are held on our Richmond Campus Monday
to Friday 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm. You must register for all courses as a semester block;
courses may not be taken individually.
After you complete the required training, you are eligible to take the state licensing
examination to become a licensed peace officer in the state of Texas. You can also
find jobs as:
City Police Officer
Deputy Sheriff
Deputy Constable
ISD / University Police Officer
Find more information, including wages and education requirements, on Career Coach!
Program Requirements
Our Police Academy program requires that you complete a program application and purchase
instructional supplies, tests, and materials specific to the program. Questions?
Call 979-532-6328. We'll be happy to help you.
There are a number of requirements you must meet to be accepted into the police academy.
Learn more about the qualifications and complete the program application to apply
today!
Tuition
In-District: $3,662 (based on 24 semester credit hours)
Out-of-District: $5,126 (based on 24 semester credit hours)
Note: In-District rates apply to residents of Wharton County or Needville ISD, while Out-of-District
rates apply to residents not meeting the requirements of an In-District resident
Estimated Program Fees
Psychological Exam: $180
FAST Fingerprints: $42
Physical Examination/drug screen: $90
Uniforms: $200
Duty Gear: $250
Books/Supplies: $250
Note: Prices are estimated and subject to change without notice.
Preparing for Duty
Here’s an insider look at some of the rigorous training our law enforcement students
experience during our program.
Be prepared for the field with our hands-on training.
Learn proper techniques to keep yourself safe on the job.
Work with our experienced instructors in a real-world setting.
Meet the Faculty
Have questions about WCJC’s Police Academy? Reach out to one of our faculty members.
The Academy also has part-time staff comprised of law enforcement officers used as
subject matter experts for topics within the program.
Grady Smith
Police Academy Director / Instructor
Mr. Smith has been involved in Law Enforcement for over 30 years. He is a graduate
of Wharton County Junior College, earning his Associate of Applied Science degree
in 1994. He proudly served his entire 21-year career with the Wharton Police Department,
serving both as a Detective Sergeant and a Patrol Sergeant. During his tenure with
Wharton PD, he spent 13 years on the Emergency Response Team and served as the department's
Range Master/Firearms Instructor. He spent eight years as a Narcotics Detective in
the Criminal Investigations Division, serving on the District Attorney's Narcotics
Task Force. He finished his Wharton PD Career as a Patrol Sergeant, supervising a
patrol shift. After retiring in 2015, he became a full-time educator with the Police
Academy and received the Director position in 2025. Mr. Smith is a NISOD Award Recipient
and has also received the Faculty of the Year Award while employed by WCJC.
Mr. Smith is currently a Licensed Peace Officer in Texas, serving as a Reserve Peace
Officer with Wharton Police Department. He holds a Master Peace Officer Certificate
and an Advanced Instructor proficiency certification.
If you have questions about the program or need to contact the Police Academy, please
call 979-532-6554.
Justin Moran
Instructor of Law Enforcement
Mr. Moran has been involved in Law Enforcement for over 30 years, and spent his entire
career with the Wharton Police Department, serving as a Patrol Sergeant for more than
20 years of those years. Mr. Moran also has experience as a Criminal Investigator.
He is responsible for training more than 50 new officers at Wharton PD where he was
one of the main field- training officers. He taught often in the Wharton Police Department
Citizens Police Academy, was one of the Departments Defensive Tactics Instructors,
and served as the Departments training coordinator for several years. Mr. Moran spent
several years as a K-9 handler, where he utilized the departments K-9 Rebel. He received
an Associate of Applied Science degree in 1994 and after retiring, has been a full-time
educator since January 2025.
Mr. Moran is currently a Licensed Peace Officer in Texas. He holds a Master Peace
Officer Certificate with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and a Basic
Instructor proficiency certification.
Office:Wharton Campus, LaDieu Technology Center, 113C Phone: 979-532-6575 Email: moranj@wcjc.edu
FAQs
Yes, to qualified students and veterans. To learn more, please contact the WCJC Financial
Aid Office at 1-800-561-9252 x6345.
Day Classes: An academy class is offered twice a year, January through June, and July
through December. Classes are held at the Wharton campus, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday
thru Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends.
Evening Classes: An academy is offered once a year, August through June. Classes
are held at the Richmond campus, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Monday thru Friday, with occasional
weekends.
None. You are expected to attend all sessions of the Academy but are allowed a given
number of absences and tardies.
Yes. The Academy is the first step. The second step is the licensing exam (TCOLE).
After passing the licensing exam, you are eligible to be employed as a Texas peace
officer.
Yes, however the Academy does not provide job placement but will host recruiting sessions for numerous
area law enforcement agencies.
None. The Police Academy supplies all weapons and ammunition required for training.
You will receive a list of required supplies, including uniforms, duty gear, and note-taking
materials (See academy packet for details and equipment list).
You may pay with cash, credit card, check, or money order. You may also sign up for
installment plans with the WCJC Business Office.
Tuition/fees must be paid at the time of registration.
Applicants must be 21 years of age to enter the Police Academy.
Yes. The academy class follows the college holiday schedule. You will receive a class
calendar on the first day of the Academy.
You may contact the Police Academy office at 1-800-561-9252 x6575. You may also contact
the Vocational Science Division Secretary at 1-800-561-9252 x6554.
Roxanne Marek, Retired Adult Probation, El Campo TX
Arthur Ruiz, Kandha Consulting, East Bernard TX
Stephanie Schulz, Shoppa's, El Campo TX
All career and technical education opportunities at Wharton County Junior College
follow policies of nondiscrimination offered without regard to race, color, religion,
national origin, sex, age, or disability including those with limited English proficiency.
For information, see the Public Notice Regarding Career and Technical Education Programs. *In addition to Wharton County Junior College Admission criteria, students must comply
with additional program specific admission criteria, where applicable.
Todas las oportunidades de formación profesional y técnica en Wharton County Junior
College se rigen por políticas de no discriminación y se ofrecen sin distinción de
raza, color, religión, origen nacional, sexo, edad o discapacidad, incluyendo a personas
con dominio limitado del inglés. Para más información, consulte el Aviso Público sobre Programas de Formación Profesional y Técnica. *Además de los criterios de admisión de Wharton County Junior College, los estudiantes
deben cumplir con criterios de admisión adicionales específicos del programa, cuando
corresponda.
