Law Enforcement Academy
Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
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Jobs available locally 11,001 |
Demand Locally +1 % |
Annual Wage Range $49,250 – $183,324 |
Patrol assigned area, such as public parking lot or city streets to issue tickets to overtime parking violators and illegally parked vehicles.
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Jobs available locally 59 |
Demand Locally +0 % |
Annual Wage Range $33,529 – $39,688 |
Teach courses in law. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
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Jobs available locally 11,001 |
Demand Locally +1 % |
Annual Wage Range $49,250 – $183,324 |
Program Type:
Face-to-Face
Department:
First Responders Academy
Institute:
Public Service
College:
SAC
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One or more of these programs are approved Ready to Work programs. Find out if you’re eligible to receive free tuition and job placement services that will enable you to secure an in-demand career. |
LEA Application and Registration
The Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) is currently taking applications for next day and evening classes (Part-time Academy) which starts Jan. 20, 2026. We are currently taking applications for the Full-time Academy which starts Jan. 12, 2026.
All Personal History Statements (PHS) and required paperwork and documentation are due within two (2) weeks of being issued to you. Last day to accept a (PHS) for the day and evening classes is Jan. 9, 2026, by 12 p.m. All medical (L2) and psychological (L3) are due by the date assigned to you by the LEA. Current TCOLE licensed Jailers and Dispatchers using a Declaration of Licensing Course Enrollment Eligibility (DOLCE/L1) are due by Jan. 13, 2026 at 5 p.m. Those who do not meet the deadlines may be considered for the Spring 2026 academy. All applicants and required documents will be accepted by appointment please contact sac-lea@alamo.edu to schedule. All documents will be turned in at the First Responders Academy located at 15775 IH 35 South, Atascosa, TX 78002.
To apply email: sac-lea@alamo.edu
Full-Time Academy
Last day to accept a (PHS) for this class is Jan. 6, 2026, by 12 p.m. All medical (L2) and psychological (L3) are due by the date assigned to you by the LEA. Current TCOLE licensed Jailers and Dispatchers using a Declaration of Licensing Course Enrollment Eligibility (DOLCE/L1) are due by Jan. 7, 2026, by 5 p.m. Those who do not meet the deadlines may be considered for the Spring 2026 part-time or full-time academy. All applicants and required documents will be accepted by appointment please contact sac-lea@alamo.edu to schedule. All documents will be turned in at the First Responders Academy located at 15775 IH 35 South, Atascosa, TX 78002.
To apply email: sac-lea@alamo.edu
Note: If you are agency sponsored or an agency sponsoring a cadet, please email Director Rolando Barrientez at rbarrientez4@alamo.edu.
Note: CJLE 1132 Physical Fitness for Law Enforcement is now a requirement.
Basic Peace Officer I, II, III, IV and V
Day & Night Classes start: Spring 2026, Summer 2026, Fall 2026
Full-Time Academy Start: Spring 2026, Summer 2026, Fall 2026
Class Times
- Day: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. / Monday - Friday
- Night: 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. / Monday - Friday
- Full Time Academy: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. / Monday - Friday
- ***Earlier reporting in times-will be mandatory time to time***
- *Physical Fitness for Law Enforcement is now a requirement-reporting time will be 6:30 a.m. for full time, 7:30 a.m. for day, and 4:30 p.m. on the dates and times the course is assigned to you.*
What is the Law Enforcement Academy program?
San Antonio College's (SAC) Law Enforcement Academy is designed to prepare the individual for a career in law enforcement and correctional science.
The program offers a Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE) approved law enforcement academy. Also, in collaboration with the Criminal Justice Program an AAS degree available to achieve an Associates of Applied Science (AAS) Degree for career advancement.
For more information or to request an application please email sac-lea@alamo.edu.
- Law Enforcement, Level I Certificate
- This certificate offers students the opportunity to begin working on courses that will satisfy requirements under the A.A.S. degree in Law Enforcement.
- With this award, you may seek jobs such as: entry-level law enforcement upon receiving a TCOLE license.
Please note: Starting Spring 2024, we will be making the move to the Basic Peace Officer 736 Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE) curriculum in compliance with the 88th Legislation Session, TCOLE and the San Antonio College TCOLE Advisory Board. Starting 2023, the Law Enforcement Academy will no longer be having a weekend academy.
What's special about the program?
Instructors in this program are seasoned active or veterans in the law enforcement service with many years of cumulative teaching and different professions in the criminal justice system.
What will I learn?
Courses are designed to provide knowledge and techniques for understanding how criminal justice and social structures influence human behavior.
Courses
The purpose of the San Antonio College Law Enforcement Academy’s Basic Peace Officer course, a 736 hour course of study, is to prepare prospective law enforcement officers for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Certification Exam. Students who successfully complete the academic academy will earn a Level 1 Certificate in Law Enforcement and will be able to sit for the TCOLE Basic Peace Officer State Exam
In addition, upon successful completion, the student may apply the Level 1 Certificate towards the Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science (AAS – Law Enforcement option). The academy also offers TCOLE in-service courses for the purpose of enhancing the Peace Officers’ level of proficiency and meeting training requirements.
BPOC (Basic Police Officer Certification)
Training as a peace officer at San Antonio College Law Enforcement Academy is a great way to start an exciting career.
Students work with instructors who are experienced peace officers.
Studies include topics that reflect real-life situations.
We maintain relationships with area police agencies as prospective employers for graduates.
The San Antonio College Law Enforcement Academy may be taken as credit or noncredit.
(Noncredit for those who qualify: live out of district or already have a degree from an accredited college or university) .
San Antonio College Law Enforcement Academy is licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. (TCOLE).
For registeration, e-mail: sac-lea@alamo.edu
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TCOLE Requirements
Civilian (Non-Licensed Person)
In order to become licensed as a peace officer in Texas there are four requirements:
- meet the minimum standards for enrollment and initial licensure;
- successful completion of the basic licensing course;
- passing of the state licensing examination; and
- appointment by a law enforcement agency
If you are a current TCOLE licensed Jailer or Dispatcher please contact us by email sac-lea@alamo.edu. You might be eligible to apply using the Declaration of Licensing Course Enrollment Eligibility (DOLCE).
What can I do with this course study?
Qualified graduates to seek employment for most municipal police departments, county jails, or state correctional facilities.
FAQs
The Academy is approved for 25 semester credit hours (CE option available for those who qualify).
YES. It may take several months to go through an application process for police agencies. The Academy does sessions for numerous areas for law enforcement agencies. Some agencies will allow academy cadets to participate in their application process prior to graduation; with potential employment contingent upon passing the State licensing examination.
You must be 21 years of age prior to graduation from the academy. To be admitted, a prospective student must comply with TCOLE rule 217.1
https://www.tcole.texas.gov/content/commission-rules
NONE. You are expected to attend all sessions of the academy.
YES, to qualified students and veterans.
Financial aid: 21ALAMO (210-212-5266) Toll Free: 1-844-20ALAMO (1-8944-202-5266)
SAC Veterans Affairs Office: 210-486-0111
Email: sac-va@alamo.edu
Students will be provided a list of required supplies to include: uniforms, safety glasses, ear protection and note-taking materials. (See academy packet for details and equipment list)
NONE. The Police Academy will supply all handgun weapon and hand gun ammunition needed for training.
Tuition/fees must be paid at time of registration, payment plans options are available, Financial Aid and Benefits may be used by those who qualify.
Day: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Monday - Friday
Night: 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. | Monday - Friday
Full Time Academy: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Monday - Friday
Earlier reporting in times-will be mandatory tim to time
CJLE 1132 Physical Fitness for Law Enforcement is now a requirement-reporting time will be 6:30 a.m. for full time, 7:30 a.m. for day and 4:30 p.m. on the dates and times the course is assigned to you.
There are five (phases) courses, plus Physical Fitness for Law Enforcement in the Level One Certificate - Law Enforcement.
You may contact the First Responders Academy.
Phone: (210) 486-0086
E-mail: sac-lea@alamo.edu
YES. The Academy is the first step. The second step is the licensing exam (TCOLE). After passing the licensing exam, you are eligible to be employed as a Texas peace officer.
YES. The academy class follows the college holiday schedule. Students will receive a class calendar on the first day of the class. We are a open learning course and do not always follow the traditional college start and end dates.
ACADEMY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
All Law Enforcement Academy Application requirements and standards have been approved by the Law Enforcement Academy Advisory Board:
Admission Requirements
- To be accepted into the SAC Law Enforcement Academy, candidates must meet the following TCOLE and Academy requirements United be a United States Citizen:
- a. Certified copy of a birth certificate
- b. Passport
- c. Certificate of Citizenship
- d. Passport Card
- e. Naturalization Papers
- Must be a high school graduate or have a general education development (GED) test indicating a high school graduate level.
- Be 21 years of age before graduation from the Academy.
- Be fingerprinted and subjected to a search of local, state, and U.S. National Records and Fingerprint Files to disclose any criminal record.
- Not currently charged with any criminal offense for which conviction would be a bar to licensure.
- 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 or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years from the date of the court order.
- Have never been convicted of an offensive above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years.
- Have never been conviceted in any court of an offense involving family violence as defined under Chapter 71, Texas Family Code.
- Not prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle.
- Not prohibited by stated or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
- Have never received a dishonorable or other discharge based on misconduct which bars future military service.
- Have not had a commission license denied by final order or revoked; not currently on suspension and does not have a surrender of license currently in effect.
- Be examined by a licensed physician and be declared, in writing, within the past 180 days, both: a. Physically sound and free from any defects which may adversely affect the performance of duty as a peace officer.
- Show no trace of drug dependency or illegal drug use after a blood test or other medical test.
- Successfully complete all enry requirements and forms as reqired by the SAC LEA.
We encourage any prospective applicant that has any criminal history to complete the FAST form and be approved by TCOLE prior to scheduling the medical and psychological examination. We will notify you when we receive the FAST results from TCOLE.
Accreditation
The Law Enforcement Academy programs at San Antonio College are accredited by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
The program accreditation is renewed annually.
The Law Enforcement Academy programs at San Antonio College located in San Antonio, Texas are accredited by the:
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
6330 East Highway 290, STE 200, Austin, Texas 78723
(512) 936-7700
San Antonio College Accreditation
San Antonio College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award Associates and Baccalaureate Degrees. Questions about the accreditation of San Antonio College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Normal inquiries about the institution, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to the college and not to the Commission's office; the Commission is to be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support an institution's significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard.
San Antonio College was established in 1925 and that year boasted 232 students and 46 instructors. In January of 1951, the college moved to its present location at 1300 San Pedro Avenue, just north of downtown.
Students who wish to view the school’s accreditation and licensing bodies documentation, may inquire at the reserve desk of the Learning Resource Center in the Moody Learning Center.
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Archilla, Matthew |
Bazany, Steven |
Beck, Corrine |
Burts, Michael |
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Chaffin, Tina |
Charles, Martin |
Contreras, Carlos |
Coble, Kevin |
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Contreras, Vincent |
Cummins, Gregory |
Devora, Alexander |
Eisert, Gregory |
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Ellis, David |
Figueroa, Jose |
Flowers, James |
Fonseca, Donny |
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Fuentez, Michael |
Garza, Joe |
Garza, Ross |
Gonzales, Richard |
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Gutierrez, Dustin |
Gutierrez, Frank |
Herrera, Lancelot |
Hixon, William |
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Jarvis, Jason |
Jones, Robert |
Vitales, Geneva |
Martinez, Robert |
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Mayfield, Van James |
Moin, Raymond |
Muirhead, John |
O'Dell, Charles |
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Padilla, David |
Palomions, Art |
Patro, Cody |
Pena, Marco |
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Perez, Ruben |
Phelt, Jessica |
Poore, Arthur |
Prescott, Stephen |
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Rasmussen, Kevin |
Redman, Chris |
Ripley, Chad |
Robeles, Daniel |
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Saucedo, Edward |
Dr. Seamans, Anita |
Soto, Chris |
Stevens, Jeremy |
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Stricklin, John |
Taylor, Gracie |
Torres, Brandon |
Treviño, Andrew |
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Treviño, Jose |
Valdez, Michael |
Contact Us
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Main Office |
Locations |
SAC On-Campus |
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Rolando Barrientez, M.A.A. |
Jessica Phelt |
Matthew Archilla |
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Dr. Michael Burts |
Jose Figueroa |
Michael Valdez |