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Law Enforcement Academy

Law enforcement professionals serve a vital role in society by preventing and controlling crime, protecting the public, providing detention and rehabilitation services, and upholding equal justice through the judicial system.

The mission of the Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy is to prepare students—mentally, morally, and physically—to enter field training and effectively assume the duties and responsibilities of a peace officer. The Academy is committed to developing ethical, competent, and community-focused law enforcement officers.

In fulfilling this mission, the Academy aligns with and supports the goals and standards of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and Galveston College.

Overview

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Law Enforcement (Full Time)
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Law Enforcement (Part Time)
Certificate - Law Enforcement - Level One

See the full college catalog for additional information and course descriptions.

The Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy offers a full-time and part-time academy for individuals who are seeking their Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) basic peace officers license.

The basic academy program involves 736 hours of classroom and hands-on training. This course is available to police departments sending recruits, or individual applicants. Completion of this training allows individuals to take the TCOLE licensing examination to become a licensed Texas Peace Officer.

All prospective students can pick up a Law Enforcement Academy application or have one emailed to them. Students can email the Law Enforcement Academy Program Director to receive an enrollment packet.

Successful applicants will be notified by email of acceptance to the program.

For acceptance to the Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy individuals (hired cadets or individual applicants) must meet the most current standards as established under the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 7, Chapter 213, Rule 217.1, Minimum Standards for Enrollment and Licensure.

All applicants must meet Galveston College’s current enrollment requirements.

Basic qualifications for admittance, each prospective student must meet the following criteria:

High school graduate, GED, or 12 hours from an accredited college
21 years of age at the time of licensure
No felony convictions
No convictions of a Class B misdemeanor or above within the last ten (10) years
No family violence convictions
Pass a drug test, psychological screening, physical, and background check

The basic academy program is available to individuals who meet admission standards and are accepted for attendance. Attendees must be prepared for a demanding program. The process is mentally and physically challenging. There are significant time demands both in and out of the classroom. But the rewards are high for those who are capable of the challenge. Policing is an honorable profession. Service to others is a high calling, one that few are willing to accept in their lives.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive 22 college credits and be qualified to sit for the state licensing exam. After passing the exam you will be certified by the State of Texas to obtain employment.

Still interested?

Training Coordinators should contact the Academy Director directly. If you are applying as an independent applicant, your first step is to go to the Program Application tab and send the director an email.

General – All Applicants
- For acceptance to the Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy individuals (hired cadets or individual applicants) must meet the most current standards as established under the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 7, Chapter 213, Rule 217.1, Minimum Standards for Enrollment and Licensure.
- All applicants must meet Galveston College's current enrollment requirements.
Individual Applicants
- Automatic disqualifiers for individual applicants include anything that would exclude the applicant from meeting the most current standards as established under the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37,Part 7, Chapter 213, Rule 217.1, Minimum Standards for Enrollment and Licensure.
- Other factors that will be considered prior to acceptance into the Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy include, but are not limited to:
  - Any pending litigation-criminal or civil (including divorce)
  - Evidence of good character and having a stable school, work and driving record
  - Reputation of the individual with schoolmates, work associates, coaches, teachers, etc.
- The law enforcement academy coordinator shall make the final determination in allowing a cadet to enter the academy program.
Enrollment
- Upon approval to attend a police academy class, applicants must complete all required Galveston College enrollment processes.
- Applicants are responsible for obtaining and displaying motor vehicle parking permits on campus and for complying with regulations for parking, paying traffic fines, and obeying speed limits.
- Applicants are responsible for prompt payment of all financial obligations to the College.
Disabilities
- Any cadet who has a disability or who claims a disability according to the rules of the Americans with Disabilities Act must notify Galveston College (Student Services) of the disability in sufficient time to allow the Academy to make necessary accommodations consistent with the ADA prior to the commencement of classes.
- Failure to notify the Academy in a timely manner will result in a delay of acceptance into an Academy basic program until the following basic program.
- It is the cadet’s responsibility to inform the Academy of a disability requiring accommodations.

Employment opportunities for both men and women have never been better. The need is critical.

Texas Employment Trends - Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Employment(2020) 58,020 employees

Projected employment(2030) 65,470 employees

Projected growth(by 2020-2032) 13%

Projected annual job openings(2020-2030) 5,420

Fall 2025 Full-Time Academy

Fall 2025 Part-Time Academy

Starts: August4, 2025

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday - Friday

Some Saturdays

Starts: August 4, 2025

Hours: 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Monday - Friday

Some Saturdays

Fall 2025 Part-time classes is

FULL accepting no further applications.

Fall 2025 Full-time class still has openings. Deadline is July 21, 2025

To request an application click the link below and fill out a request form. Provide your name, contact number, and indicate which program you wish to attend either the Full-time or Part-time academy.

Request

Summer 2025 (All CE Classes are for certified Texas Peace Officers)

June 3 Legislative Update (Mandated) (Course 3188)

Course Description: This material is a general summary of selected court cases and changes to Texas’ criminal law as wrought by the 88th session of the Texas Legislature. This is not an all-inclusive recitation of every change, nor is it intended as legal advice. If you have any questions, consult your local city, county, or district attorney.

8:00 am – 5:00 PM (8 hrs.) [$50] [eligible for TCOLE credit hours]

June 5 Canine Encounters (Course 4065)COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a legislated requirement designed to equip officers with the necessary knowledge and skills for Canine Encounters.

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (4 hrs.) [$25] [eligible for TCOLE credit hours]

June 5 Interacting with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Course 7887)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: As part of the course, officers will learn how to identify someone who is deaf or hard of hearing. They also will learn regulations for law enforcement agencies regarding deaf and hard of hearing individuals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (4 hrs.) [$25] [eligible for TCOLE credit hours]

June 10 De-Escalation Techniques (Course 1849)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course improves officers’ response to incidents involving people in crisis who are behaving erratically. It emphasizes public and officer safety while teaching tactical de-escalation to reduce the intensity of an encounter with a suspect. The training enables officers with additional options for voluntary compliance and to mitigate the need for a higher level of force while they maintain control of the situation.

8:00 AM –4:00 PM (8 hrs.) [$30] [eligible for TCOLE credit hours]

June 12 Finding Wellness - Building a Healthier Life (Course 4202)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to teach law enforcement professionals the importance of physical, mental, emotional, and social wellness, and to break down the stigma of mental health in the law enforcement profession.

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (4 hrs.) [$25] [eligible for TCOLE credit hours]

June 17 Baton (Course 2053)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this course is to provide officer with information about the operational use of batons. It provides efficient defensive tactics for law enforcement personnel, portation (carrying) and presentation (drawing) procedures as well as striking techniques. The course incorporates drills which simulate the stress of street encounters.

Officers will have a basic understanding of the conditions in which the baton may be used and justification for use.

The course is hands-on and physical exertion will be completed through kicking, kneeing, striking and punching bags.

Limited to 15 seats ONLY.

8:00 AM– 5:00 PM (8 hrs.) [$50]