This site is to help you find information and requirements for Texas police academies.
Texas Police Academy Requirements
A. Each applicant must submit an application for employment to the human resources or personnel department of the institution at which he/she wishes to be employed.
B. Qualification Standards
1. The applicant must reach his/her 21st birthday on or before the date of commissioning.
2. The applicant must have a high school diploma or have passed a General Educational Development (GED) Test and must have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.0. An applicant may fulfill the college requirement by substituting one of the following:
a. 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and one year of continuous employment as a guard/public safety officer, dispatcher, telecommunications operator, or parking controller with an institution police department within The University of Texas System;
b. 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and two years of continuous active military service. For the purposes of this policy, active military service is evidenced by an honorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States after at least two years of active service; or
c. 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and two years of continuous experience as a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or jailer.
(1) For the purposes of this policy, a law enforcement officer or jailer is a full-time, paid employee performing police or jailer duties in a position that requires a license as a Texas peace officer or jailer, or their equivalents in another state.
(2) For the purposes of this policy, a correctional officer is a full-time, paid correctional officer with the Bureau of Prisons, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, or their public-sector equivalents in Texas or another state.
d. An accredited college or university is an institution of higher education that is accredited or authorized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the New England Association of Colleges and Schools, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Northwest Association of Colleges and Schools, or the Western Association of Colleges and Schools.
3. The applicant must be fingerprinted and subjected to a search of local, state and national records and fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
4. The applicant must be a citizen of the United States.
5. The applicant must have not been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions, including, specifically:
a. under other than honorable conditions;
b. bad conduct;
c. dishonorable; or
d. any other characterization of service indicating bad character.
6. If applicable, the applicant must have registered for the Selective Service.
7. The applicant must meet the following physical requirements:
a. VISION:
(1) VISUAL ACUITY - Maximum uncorrected visual acuity of 20/200 and corrected or correctable as follows:
(a) 20/30 THROUGH 20/40 – Correctable to 20/30 in each eye and binocularly;
(b) IN EXCESS OF 20/40 THROUGH 20/100 – Must be corrected to 20/30 in each eye and binocularly by means of regular eyeglasses or contact lenses;
(c) In excess of 20/100 through 20/200 – Must be corrected to 20/30 in each eye and binocularly by means of regular eyeglasses or contact lenses. The applicant must obtain a statement from an ophthalmologist that no ocular disease exists.
(2) FIELD OF VISION – Horizontal 60-85 degrees in both eyes temporarily from a central fixation point.
(3) MUSCULAR IMBALANCE – Zero vertical deviation. Horizontal – 5 prism diopters exophoria at 20 feet, 10 prism diopters esophoria at 20 feet, 10 prism diopters exophoria at 20 feet.
(4) OTHER VISUAL FACTORS – An applicant may be rejected for color deficiencies as determined by the Director of Police after examination by an approved ophthalmologist. Chronic inflammation of the eye or adnexa, or permanent abnormalities of either eye (including cataracts, corneal opacities, paralysis of ocular muscles, etc.) will be grounds for rejection. The loss or absence of either eye will be grounds for rejection.
b. HEARING – The applicant must be able to hear ordinary conversation from at least 15 feet with each ear.
c. GENERAL HEALTH – The applicant must obtain a physician’s Statement of Release, pass the physical agility test and be capable of performing all police duties specified in the current job description.
8. The applicant must successfully pass a written entry-level examination approved by the Director of Police.
9. The applicant must satisfactorily meet the requirements of a thorough, comprehensive background investigation conducted by the institution’s police department.
10. The applicant must be of good moral character and reputation.
11. The applicant must have a satisfactory prior employment record.
12. The applicant must successfully complete an oral board interview.
13. The applicant must successfully complete and pass a polygraph examination commissioned and/or conducted by the institution’s police department.
14. The applicant must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the state where the applicant permanently resides, not be in jeopardy of license suspension, and provide proof of financial responsibility pursuant to the Texas Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act.
15. The applicant must not have been a habitual violator of traffic laws and must be eligible to drive a University vehicle in accordance with University of Texas System Policy UTS157.
For the purposes of this policy, a “habitual violator” is a person who has four or more convictions that arise out of different transactions in 12 consecutive months, or seven or more convictions that arise out of different transactions in 24 months, if the convictions are for moving violations of the traffic laws of any state, Canadian province, or political subdivision, other than a violation under:
a. Texas Transportation Code §§ 621.101, 621.201, or 621.203-621.207;
b. Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 623, Subchapter B or C; or
c. Texas Transportation Code § 545.413.
16. The applicant must be examined by a physician, selected by the institution police department, who is licensed by the Texas Medical Board. The physician must be familiar with the police duties specified in the job description. To fulfill this requirement, the applicant must be declared in writing by that physician:
a. To be physically sound and free from any defect that may adversely affect the applicant’s performance of duty as a peace officer;
b. To show no trace of drug dependency or illegal drug use after a physical examination, blood test or other medical test; and
c. To meet the vision and hearing requirements listed in Subsection V.B.7. If the physician is unable to approve the vision and hearing requirements, another Texas-licensed physician who specializes in vision or hearing may be used.
17. The applicant must be examined by a psychiatrist or by a psychologist, selected by the institution police department. If the examiner is a psychologist, he/she must be licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. The psychiatrist or psychologist must be familiar with the police duties specified in the job description, must conduct the examination pursuant to professionally-recognized standards and methods, and must declare in writing that the applicant is in satisfactory psychological and emotional health to be a peace officer.
18. The applicant must agree to swear or affirm to preserve, protect and defend the Constitutions and laws of the United States and the State of Texas to the best of his/her ability.
C. Disqualifiers
An applicant who falls into any of the following categories is ineligible to be licensed and must be removed from further consideration:
1. Persons who have been or are currently 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 10 years from the date of the court order.
2. Persons who are currently charged with or under indictment for any criminal offense.
3. Persons who have been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor in the last 10 years.
4. Persons who have been convicted of any family violence offense.
5. Persons who are prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle.
6. Persons who are prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
7. Persons who have had a TCLEOSE license denied by final order or revoked; have a voluntary surrender of a TCLEOSE license currently in effect; or have violated any TCLEOSE rules or provisions of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1701.
8. Persons who, within the past three months, failed a written entry-level examination approved by the Director of Police.
9. Persons who failed the UT System Police physical agility test within the past three months.
10. Persons who have:
a. Used marijuana any time in the 24 months preceding the date of application;
b. Habitually used marijuana during the five years preceding the date of application; or
c. Used marijuana at any time while serving as a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, security officer or fire fighter/EMT.
11. Persons who used paint, glue or other inhalants for the purpose of intoxication within the last five years.
12. Persons who used hallucinogenic drugs, including, but not limited to, LSD, PCP or Psilocybin within the past five years. Persons with a past history of using hallucinogenic drugs must be declared free of any potential side effects by a Texas-licensed physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist before being considered for employment.
13. Persons who abused prescription medicines, whether prescribed to them or another person, in the last five years.
14. Persons who used anabolic steroids for any reason other than the treatment of a medical condition, and as authorized by and under the direction of a licensed physician, within the last five years.
15. Persons who illegally used any other substances or drugs listed in the federal or Texas Controlled Substances Acts, including, but not limited to: amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, opium, barbiturates, heroin, morphine, ecstasy and Eve within the past five years.
16. Persons who illegally sold, produced, cultivated or transported for sale marijuana or any other substances or drugs listed in the Federal or Texas Controlled Substances Acts.
17. Persons who have been terminated, asked to resign, or resigned from any previous employment for engaging in inappropriate or unlawful behavior, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
a. Any felony offense;
b. Sex crimes;
c. Sexual harassment;
d. Discriminatory or retaliatory acts; or
e. Any offense involving acts of moral turpitude
18. Persons who have separated from any law enforcement commission/position, recruit position within a law enforcement agency, or any position within a city, county, state, federal or private corrections institution by:
a. Termination due to excessive or serious disciplinary reasons;
b. Resignation to avoid suspension or termination;
c. Resignation during a disciplinary investigation that did not reach a final disposition;
d. Termination for untruthfulness; or
e. Termination for insubordination
19. Applicants who do not complete and satisfactorily meet the applicant selection process requirements. Among other duties, the process requires applicants to submit paperwork such as the personal history questionnaire and other documents on or before the designated date, report to appointments and examinations on the scheduled dates and times, properly notify the institution police department of address and/or telephone number changes, and comply with the directions and instructions of the background investigator.
20. Applicants who do not demonstrate maturity, dependability, integrity, and good work ethic in their past and present employments. An applicant’s employment history since age 18 must not indicate instability in the applicant’s employment history, including excessive tardiness or absenteeism; inefficiency; failure to follow directions, policies, procedures, rules and regulations; poor working relationships; or negligent work habits.
21. Applicants with an unstable credit history, including (a) a consistent history of issuing bad checks, (b) a history of delinquent payments, or (c) a failure to meet financial obligations. An applicant’s credit history will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine his/her continuing eligibility in the hiring process.
22. Applicants who have made false/deceptive statements. Applicants must be truthful and honest in their responses to all inquiries relative to their suitability for employment with the institution police department. Applicants found to have withheld material information, and/or to have committed or attempted to commit any deception or fraud in their applications, examinations or appointments are deemed unsuitable. Applicants deemed unsuitable are permanently disqualified from employment as peace officers with an institution police department.
VI. PHASE 2 – TESTS
A. WRITTEN EXAMINATION
1. An entry-level police officer examination approved by the Director of Police shall be given to applicants to attend the Basic Peace Officer Course conducted by the UT System Police Academy if they successfully complete Phase 1. The examination shall not be given to persons applying for positions other than Police Cadet.
2. The examinations approved by the Director of Police are:
a. Entry-level police officer examinations produced by International Public Management Association for Human Resources (http://www.ipma-hr.org/);
b. Entry-level police officer examinations produced by Stanard & Associates, Inc. (http://www.stanard.com/); or
c. Entry-level police officer examinations produced by Industrial / Organizational Solutions, Inc. (http://www.iosolutions.org/);
3. An applicant must score a minimum of 70 to pass the entry-level examination.
4. An applicant may take the entry-level examination no more than once every three months at any institution police department.
B. PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST
The Physical Agility Test shall be given to all persons applying to attend the Basic Peace Officer Course conducted by the UT System Police Academy. For further details on the test, please refer to UT System Police Policy B-3 (Physical Agility Standards).
VII. PHASE 3 – REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
A. The applicant must complete The University of Texas System Police Personal History Statement Form (DP #1) and a Pre-Polygraph Questionnaire (DP #4). The applicant must return the packet and all required supporting documents to the institution police department by the assigned deadline.
B. If the Personal History Statement or Pre-Polygraph Questionnaire Packet is received after the deadline, the applicant’s employment process will terminate unless the applicant furnishes appropriate mitigation.
C. The individual conducting the background investigation must verify that all information contained in the Personal History Statement is true and correct.
D. The following documents must be submitted by the applicant, verified by the background investigator and placed in the appropriate section of the background investigation folder:
1. UT institution employment application
2. DP #1 (Personal History Statement) – completed and signed
3. DP #38 (Authorization for Release of Personal Information) – signed and notarized
4. DP #4 (Pre-Employment Polygraph Questionnaire)
5. Copy of current driver's license
6. Copy of Social Security card
7. Copy of birth certificate
8. Certified copy of high school diploma or GED
9. Certified copies of transcript(s) and degree(s) from accredited college(s) or university(ies)
10. Copies of all certificates of training or achievement
11. Copy of TCLEOSE license or written exam results, if applicable
12. Copy of military discharge papers (DD-214), if applicable
13. Certified copy of U.S. citizenship papers, if applicable
14. Copies of all TCLEOSE F-5 forms from previous law enforcement agencies, if applicable
15. Copy of Selective Service registration verification
16. Copy of credit rating report
E. ODOP recommends that institution police departments use the online Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) offered by Law Enforcement Services, Incorporated, to assist in screening potential applicants.
Source: utsystem.edu 1/1/11
Police Academy Requirements:
Texas Police Academy News: