Requirements

All applicants to the Academy must:

1. Must be either:
   1. a U.S. citizen, or
   2. a legal permanent resident of the United States; if
      1. the person is an honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces of the United States
      2. with at least two years of service before discharge, and
      3. presents evidence satisfactory to the commission that the person has applied for United States citizenship.
2. Minimum Age Requirement:
   1. for peace officers and public security officers, is 21 years of age; or 18 years of age if the applicant has received:
      1. an associate's degree; or 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university; or
      2. has received an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States after at least two years of active service
3. Pass a background investigation by TCOLE which includes a search of local, state and national records and fingerprints files to disclose any criminal record.
4. Have never been 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 ten years from the date of the court order.
5. Never have been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years.
6. Not currently charged with any criminal offense.
7. Never have been convicted of any family violence offense.
8. Never have been convicted of a Class A misdemeanor or felony.
9. Provide a copy of complete driving record and not be prohibited by law from operating a motor vehicle, or possessing firearms or ammunition.
10. Be of good moral character.
11. Meet one of the following minimum educational requirements:
    1. Be a high school graduate, or
    2. Have passed a General Equivalency Development (GED) Test indicating high school graduation level.
    3. for enrollment purposes in a basic peace officer academy only, has an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States after at least 24 months of active duty service;
12. Be declared in writing, upon examination by a licensed physician, chosen by the Academy within 180 days prior to the start of the Academy, to be physically sound and free from any defects which may adversely affect the performance of duty appropriate to the license sought.
13. Show no trace of drug dependency or illegal drug use upon completion of a 10-panel drug screen.
14. Be declared in writing within 90 days prior to the start of class, upon examination by a licensed psychologist chosen by the Academy, to be in satisfactory psychological and emotional health to serve as a peace officer.
15. Provide a copy of a DD-214 Long Form, if served in the U.S. armed forces, and not have been dishonorably or bad conduct discharged from any military service.
16. Not have had a TCOLE license denied by final order or revoked.
17. Not currently on TCOLE suspension, or not have a surrender of TCOLE license currently in effect.
18. Submit Accuplacer scores—unless proof is shown of prior Accuplacer scores on a transcript.

This process must be completed and all paperwork submitted to our office before the first day of class in order to register. Prior to submitting your paperwork make copies for your records. It will be helpful to you for future employment.
 

Title 37: PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS
Part 7: TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT
Chapter 217: ENROLLMENT, LICENSING, APPOINTMENT, AND SEPARATION
Rule §217.1: Minimum Standards for Enrollment and Initial Licensure

Previous Rule  |  Next Rule

Chapter Review Date: 05/03/2023

Textbooks may be purchased from the Weatherford College bookstore or online. When in doubt, always purchase the latest version of the textbook. These text books may be useful to students, but are optional and not required to complete the course.

• Texas Criminal & Traffic Law Annual (latest edition) Blue360 Media
• Texas Criminal and Traffic Law Field Guide (latest edition) Blue360 Media

Not needed until after you start. You will be advised when to purchase these items.

ALL WEAPONS MUST BE APPROVED BY LEA CHIEF/PROGRAM COORDINATOR

• Handgun
  • 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP
• Handgun magazines
  • 3 minimum
• Handgun ammunition
  • 1000 rounds of Full Metal Jacket Practice Ammo
• Holster
  • Safariland 6360 triple-retention holster
  • Blackhawk Serpa or similar finger release holsters, as well as Ungle Mikes Snap style holsters, are prohibited and will not be allowed on the range.
• Rifle Ammunition
  • 500 rounds of .223/5.56 cal.
• Shotgun Ammunition
  • 100 ct. Birdshot
  • 20 ct. 00 Buckshot
  • 220 ct. Slugs
• SIMS/RBT/Shoothouse supplies/instruction - $50
  • This fee will be paid through the WC Business Office via credit card or check. You will be informed as to when this payment can be submitted during the BPOC.
• TASER X26P Cartridges (2)/instruction - $90
  • This fee will be paid through the WC Business Office via credit card or check. You will be informed as to when this payment can be submitted during the BPOC.

• Boots
  • Black military or tactical boots and black socks.
  • Must be able to polish the tip of each boot
• Uniform Shirt
  • Long-sleeved shirt with LEA patches on sleeves.
    • Brand: Liberty
    • Style: 732
    • Color: MPB
• Uniform Pant
  • Straight leg, ironable
    • Brand: Liberty
    • Style: 650MNV
    • Color: Navy
• Uniform Pant for Firearms (GALLS)
  • BDU's
    • Brand: Tru-Spec or similar
    • Style: BDU
    • Color: Navy
• Baseball Cap
  • Dark Blue Baseball cap with no logo
    • Brand: Sanmar
    • Style: CP80
    • Color: Navy
• PT/DT Uniform
  • Academy PT clothes (T-shirt, PT shorts, running shoes) with PSP logo on them.
• Safety Vest
  • Orange traffic safety vest
• Handcuff and key
  • One pair of handcuffs
  • No key holes on both sides of cuffs or hinged cuffs.
• Duty Gear:
  • ALL NYLON UNLESS YOU ARE HIRED AND YOUR AGENCY IS SUPPLYING THE GEAR.
    • Inner Belt
    • Duty Belt
    • Dual Magazine Pouch (vertical opened top),
    • Cuff Case (single closed top)
    • Flashlight holder
    • Four keepers and a holster with retention for a Glock 17 (unless hired by an agency).
• Flashlight
  • Black in color
  • At least 200 lumens
  • Momentary on/off activation switch
• Amazon name tag
  • Metal engraved personalized stainless steel with pins
  • YOUR NAME TAG SHOULD BE IN ALL CAPS
  • FIRST NAME INITIAL WITH LAST NAME
    ex: J. DOE
• Laptop:
  • Be sure to check for system updates before your first day of class.
• Optional:
  • Sweatshirt and/or Sweatpants with the WC Public Safety Professions logo on them.

Check with our office for donated items that could be available for free.

Preferred Uniform Vendor

North Texas Uniforms:
151 College Park Dr.
Weatherford, TX 76086
817-599-7160

Inform the staff at North Texas Uniforms that you will be attending the WC Law Enforcement Academy. They can assist you with uniform specs and required equipment.

Other Vendors

Officer Store Law Enforcement Supplies:
1-800-852-6088

GALLS:
1-800-477-7766

• Full uniform every day of class
• The cap will may be worn when outside and in uniform. The cap will be removed when entering ANY building.
• No Substitutions for uniform items will be allowed, unless approved in advance by the LEA Chief/Program Coordinator.
• Male cadet hair shall be short and neatly-trimmed, and cannot touch the collar or the ear. Female cadet hair longer than collar-length will be worn secured above and off the collar any time while in Academy uniform. If cadets use dyes, tints or bleaches, they must choose those that results in natural hair colors. Colors that detract from a professional appearance are prohibited. Therefore, cadets should avoid using colors that result in an extreme appearance. The determination of “extreme” is at the discretion of the LEA Chief/Program Coordinator.
• Cadets shall be clean-shaven, except for only mustaches, which are allowed provided they are trimmed as follows: 
  • Shall not extend beyond or below the corners of the mouth
  • Shall not extend below the top of the upper lip
• All visible tattoos must be covered up
• Uniforms shall have appropriate patches and should be clean, pressed and in serviceable condition throughout the academy.

Cadets must maintain a 75% overall grade and must have a minimum of 75% to pass.