Law enforcement trainee Shanon Wright is handcuffed by Instructor Bobby McMillan in a handcuffing exercise during Private Security Training at the law enforcement training center. File
Academy starts training police cadets and begins enrollment in October.
By E. David Guel
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The Law Enforcement Training Academy at this college, in its 41st year of operation, began peace officer training Sept. 28 and continues through Dec. 10. Spring enrollment begins Oct. 12 and closes Jan 8.
This semester, classes are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends at the Law Enforcement Training Center.
Administrative assistant Michelle Contreras said the academy graduates more than 280 cadets each year.
According to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement website, Texas has 106 law enforcement academies, and two are in San Antonio — the San Antonio Police Academy and Law Enforcement Training Academy.
“Our graduation rate is about 98 percent,” Contreras said.
The academy’s graduates go on to work for law enforcement agencies in Texas, such as the San Antonio Police Department and Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
Licensed by the commission, the 11-month training is separated into four 11-week phases and a total of 688 hours of classroom training.
Phases 1-4 cover history of policing, professionalism and ethics, Texas Penal Code, criminal justice system, criminal investigation, civil rights, domestic violence, tactical training, use of force and on-duty driving.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen of 21 years of age with a high school diploma, General Educational Development or two years of active-duty military service.
Required documents include a Texas driver’s license, proof of citizenship and proof of bacterial meningitis vaccination.
According to the academy application, peace officer hopefuls must first create a student profile at www.alamo.edu, create an ACES log-in, take the Accuplacer reading exam and submit a Fingerprint Applicant Service of Texas fingerprint receipt as part of a background check.
Applicants with a Class A or B conviction in the last 10 years are not considered.
Accuplacer exams cost $10 and are administered in Room 112 of Fletcher Administration Center on a walk-in basis. The reading exam can be waived with a transcript or a college degree.
Completion of training allows cadets to register for the state’s basic peace officer licensing exam.
Phase 1 and 2 are $500 each, Phase 3 is $600 and Phase 4 is $525. Financial aid is available through the Texas Public Education Grant for those who qualify. TPEG applicants must be Texas residents, non-residents or foreign students, show financial need and register for the Selective Service, unless exempt.
For more information, call academy director Frank W. Francis, at 210-486-1337.
