Sul Ross State University
A Member of the Texas State University System

Serving Small Town and Rural Law Enforcement in West Texas

On May 5, 1982, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) licensed Sul Ross State University as a certified Texas law enforcement academy.

The Sul Ross State University Law Enforcement Academy concentrates on small town and rural law enforcement. It is the goal of the academy to provide quality training at the lowest possible cost to participating agencies. Professionalism and a community service philosophy are stressed in all training programs.

Training Programs

The academy provides two types of training programs. A basic police academy is conducted annually. This basic police academy exceeds the requirements of the TCLEOSE 618-hour Basic Peace Officer course.

Cadets who successfully complete the basic police academy are eligible to sit for the TCLEOSE Basic Peace Officer examination. Those who pass this exam with a score of 70 percent or higher are then certified by TCLEOSE and are eligible for hire by Texas law enforcement agencies.

Secondly, the academy provides continuing education and in-service training for law enforcement and corrections personnel in the Sul Ross State University service area. A variety of courses ranging from four hours to forty hours in length are offered each semester. These courses are designed to fulfill TCLEOSE mandated training requirements and to meet the unique training needs of area agencies.

Admission

Admission to the basic police academy is open to all persons who meet TCLEOSE requirements for certification as a Texas peace officer. Admission to in-service and continuing education programs are open to certified law enforcement and corrections personnel.

The academy takes pride in using instructors who are experienced law enforcement and corrections people. Active and retired officers, FBI agents, chiefs of police, sheriffs and others with specific areas of expertise are brought in to insure the student receives quality training.

Cost of Attending

The cost of attending the basic police academy is approximately $1,500. This includes application fee, tuition and necessary uniforms and supplies. It does not include the cost of meals and lodging. All training materials and supplies are provided by the Academy, including weapons, ammunition, handcuffs and classroom supplies.

Firearms training is conducted with the Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. In addition to the pistol, cadets qualify with the 12-gauge shotgun and are familiarized with the AR-15 assault rifle.

Physical fitness is stressed throughout the basic police academy. Several hours are devoted to arrest tactics, takedown techniques and self-defense. Candidates who are unable to participate in strenuous physical activity should not apply to attend the basic police academy.