What should I study in school to give me the best chance of becoming a police officer in texas?

Question

What type courses should I be interested in?

Answer 1

As a long time police officer in Texas, I strongly recommend against taking a criminal justice degree. Take any other course so that you have a career to fall back on if you find you do not like law enforcement or get injured and cannot remain in the field. After all, the police academy will teach you how to be a police officer and the other field could help you later on.

But if you want to avoid a police academy, there are a list of specific courses you need to take, from one of the approved schools. If you take these courses from a licensed school, you can challenge the licensing exam instead of going to an academy. This is called the academic alternative program and you can find information on it at the TCLEOSE web site. TCLEOSE is the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education and is responsible for all licensing of officers in Texas.

I will point out that there is no set requirement for college at all in Texas YET. Some departments do require it, either to get hired or promoted, but not all. The state requires either a real high school diploma or a GED with 12 college hours in any field.

Most larger departments, such as DPS, San Antonio, Houston, or Dallas, will require you to attend their academy no matter what education, licensing, or experience you have. Small towns will only hire you if you are already licensed or experienced. Almost any thing in between is acceptable somewhere in Texas.

Answer 2

Well, in my experience, Most major municipalities in Texas require about 45 semester credit hours to get hired on. I can never understand that, especially in Dallas. Where they are barely able to recruit anyone due to the low pay, high crime, yet they always require that minimum of 45 semester hours of college. This requirement has not helped them a whole lot because a LOT of the officers are committing criminal acts themselves and getting caught, if you ever wathc the Dallas news you'll see what I mean, some of these guys are total scumbags. (not saying ALL Dallas PD are that way, but a lot of them HAVE been getting busted lately doing things that are pretty ridiculous for a LEO) The other catch 22 situation I have seen, is that a lot of "smaller" towns, that actually do NOT require any college, require you to have a Texas Peace Officers certificate. And maybe 2 years experience as a Police officer. Which in turn you can not get without most times being hired or sponsored by a department to go to the academy to GET the certificate in the first place. Being a cop in Texas in my opinion is like most any other state. Without any college, you basically have to "know" someone on the department to get a foot in the door. Oft times they will also accept people with 4 years prior military experience, with honorable discharge etc, if they do not have the college. I too always had the desire to be a LEO, but then as I got older I realized I could make a LOT more money with a LOT less political BS, stress, danger, and problems, in another area or career. I might suggest talking to your local police department. Almost ALL of them have some kind of "recruiting officer" that can possibly shed some light on what you can do. I wish you the best of luck though in trying to become a LEO. It is very possible you could get on with a very small department somewhere, and get some experience under your belt to then move on up. I don't want to totally discourage you, if you truly want to be an officer. : ) Just know that I looked for many years to find the right place, and it didn't work out, and didn't seem worth the hassle in the end, but that is just my personal opinion and experience. If you truly want to become an LEO, I am sure you will find some way to do it! Good luck.

Answer 3

If you are lucky enough to have a CSI class, then definitely take that. Take all the courses that are mandated to get at least a diploma on the recommended plan (I assume you are still in high school). Speech would be a good class and team to get involved with, so that you can learn how to speak and be confident in yourself. If your school offers a law enforcement class, then definitely get into that. Also, any community service you might be able to do will definitely help you out as an officer.

And definitely spend a lot of time looking for various police academies around the state and any financial aid you may be able to get. It's never too early to start looking for that stuff, trust me, I waited too long and now I'm struggling to even begin to get money for school.

You can also become a correctional officer if you have a clean criminal record at 18, so if you can't afford school right out of high school, the state holds officer screenings every month at various penitentiaries across the state. Once accepted into the correctional officer academy, you will train to be a prison guard for 1 month (and get paid to do it!) and then you will make about $1500 a month to start off, working 5 12-hour days a week for another month, then 4 12-hour days on duty and 4 days off. It's great money and great benefits to save up for school, not to mention, it'll definitely give you a leg up in the police academy.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Law enforcement. Most positions require at least an associates degree. SW Texas State in San Marcos may still offer this. My sister went there and studied law enforcement to become a police officer.

Answer 5

Any 4 year degree allows for you to become a police officer. My major is criminal justice, and I eventually want to work for the federal government. The courses are very informative.

Answer 6

Government, if you're in high school. If you're in college, you want to major in criminal justice and then go to the police academy.

Some high schools do offer a limited selection of legal classes. When I was in high school, they only had civil law, but by now they may have extended it to include criminal law. Ask your guidance counselor.

And yes, sociology would be a good class to take in high school. Pick sociology over psychology if you have to make a choice.

Answer 7

Criminal Justice is an ok major, but if you wish to move up in the career of Law enforcement, you may look into majoring ing Police Adminstration.

Answer 8

Ask the counselors at the schools you're thinking of attending. If the college doesn't offer a law enforcement program, go elsewhere.

Answer 9

Texas police officers are expert baton twirlers. I'd suggest you start there and go forward.

Answer 10

criminal justice,thats what my husband is taking,most of the pd's in texas will only hire someone with an associates degree(a 2 year degree)