The need for more peace officers has never been higher, and the Amarillo College Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy can prepare students for a career in law enforcement. The Academy is now accepting applications for the 133rd Basic Peace Officer Academy, which begins in April.
Eric Wallace, dean of Public Service Programs at AC, said that they are trying to bring in more officers for law enforcement jobs. “Numbers are still down on law enforcement recruitment,” he said. Numbers are going up for firefighters, and Wallace hopes to turn around the recruitment with the nice facility and great equipment.
Quinten Evans, a former lieutenant at the TDCJ William P. Clements Unit, said he retired from the Clements prison after 20 years of working there. He said the experience helped him have a leg up on certain things but that the AC Academy was much more thorough and more intense.
Evans said he plans to work in a security prison after he graduates in late February.
To participate, applicants must meet all minimum standards set by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and AC, pass an entrance exam, complete a formal interview, undergo a background check, and successfully complete a physical exam, drug screen, and psychological exam prior to acceptance. Applicants must complete the full application process by Feb. 19, so those interested are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible for the five-month program, which includes more than 800 hours of intense, high impact training.
“Our academy is built on a legacy of excellence,” said Joe Cannon, AC coordinator of the Law Enforcement Academy, in a news release. “We challenge our recruits, support them, and prepare them for the realities of modern policing. Those who complete this program leave ready to serve their communities with professionalism and integrity.”
Founded in 1968, the Academy follows all standards set by the TCOLE, ensuring that every recruit gains the knowledge, skills, and discipline needed in the field. While the Academy primarily trains individuals seeking employment with agencies across the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle, applications are open statewide to anyone who wishes to begin a career as a Texas peace officer.
“For more than five decades, the Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy has played a critical role in shaping the future of public safety in our region,” Wallace said. “The 133rd Academy continues that tradition by offering rigorous, relevant training that meets the needs of agencies across the Texas Panhandle. We look forward to welcoming our next class of recruits.”
In Texas, those seeking to become a licensed peace officer must complete a Basic Peace Officer Course. The Academy’s instruction spans a broad range of critical topics, including arrest and control, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, mental health, the penal code, constitutional and traffic law, arrest, search and seizure, physical fitness, and more.
Training takes place at Amarillo College’s First Responders Academy, a state-of-the-art facility that brings together law enforcement, fire, and EMS education under one roof — creating an immersive, real-world environment that prepares students for the demands of their future careers.
For more information or to begin the application process, contact the Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy at 806-457-4450, or visit the Amarillo College First Responders Academy located at 3891 Plains Boulevard in Amarillo.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Got what it takes to be a Peace Officer cadet?
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
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