Applying for our Police Academy can be a competitive process that requires dedication
and commitment. Prospective candidates must meet strict eligibility criteria, including
physical fitness, educational qualifications, and personal character assessments.
Once accepted, you’ll undergo a rigid training program to prepare you for a career
in law enforcement.
Ready to apply to our Police Academy program? Take a look at the necessary steps below.
Step 1
You must have a current application with WCJC to be eligible for the Police Academy.
Select CER_BPOC as your major.
Step 2
Complete the Police Academy program application and submit it directly to the Police
Academy office.
Fulfill Admission Requirements
Step 3
Before registering for our Police Academy courses, you must meet the academy requirements
listed below.
You must meet specific criteria before enrolling in the Police Academy. Take a look
at the different requirements and qualifications below.
Educational Qualifications
- Be a high school graduate or receive a GED.
- Apply and meet all admissions requirements to WCJC.
- Received a minimum of 60 semester credits hours from an accredited college or university,
OR
- Received an associate degree from an accredited college
Educational Requirements
The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement requires that applicants be 21 upon entering
the police academy. If you are not 21, you must be 18 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 associates degree from an accredited college, OR
- Received an Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States after two
years of minimum active duty.
Legal Qualifications
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Possess a valid Texas driver’s license
- Have never been convicted of a Class A Misdemeanor or felony offense
- Have never been convicted for any Class B Misdemeanor criminal offense within the
past 10 years.
- Have never been convicted of a Family Violence offense
- Have never received a dishonorable discharge from, 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
Physical and Mental Health Qualifications
We require you to 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 tests
We also require you to 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.
Other Requirements
- Be of good moral character
- Complete all forms required by WCJC Police Academy
- Be fingerprinted and pass a criminal background check of local, state, and U.S. national
records/fingerprint files
- Complete a timed physical agility exam that includes 15 push-ups in one minute, 20
sit-ups in one minute, and a 1.5-mile run within 18:30 minutes.
Have Questions?
If you have specific questions about the program application or program requirements,
contact our program’s faculty member.
Tim Guin
Police Academy Director/Law Enforcement Instructor
Phone: 979-532-6575
Email: guint@wcjc.edu
