Basic Peace Officer Course
CAPCOG Regional Law Enforcement Academy's Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) provides academic and practical instruction as well as preparation for the Texas State Peace Officer Licensing Examination required for all persons hoping to become a Texas Peace Officer. Learn more about the full-time day and part-time night classes, including application requirements, costs and more.
Registering for a BPOC Class
Interested in the Basic Peace Officer Course? Register today on the training page, including providing requested contact information for Regional Law Enforcement Academy (RLEA) staff to contact prospective candidates about five to eight weeks before the next BPOC. Candidates must attend an orientation to receive the packet of forms necessary for completing the entrance requirements. Dates and times for orientation as well as deadlines for tuition and forms will be emailed to candidates.
Full-Time and Part-Time BPOC
The full-time day BPOC classes run 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday for approximately 6 months. The classes, held at CAPCOG RLEA in the Mesquite Room training facility, comprises academic lessons followed by physical fitness training.
The part-time night BPOC classes run 6-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. most Saturdays. These classes, usually held off site at various locations, are geared toward working adults who find it necessary to maintain their employment while attending the course. Please note the location posted under each class.
BPOC Entrance Requirements
Personal History Statement
Applicants interested in entering CAPCOG’s Basic Peace Officer Certification Course must
- Fill out and submit a Personal History Statement (PDF)
- Attend an interview with the RLEA Director to obtain approval of the application
- Attend a scheduled Entrance Seminar/Test (Note: applicants may not attend the Entrance Seminar/Test until he or she has submitted the Personal History Statement and attended an Interview with the RLEA Director)
Dates and times for Entrance Seminars and Exams will be posted on the Training Registration Page for the upcoming course.
To submit your completed Personal History Statement, please scan and email it to bpoc@capcog.org, or mail it to:
CAPCOG RLEA
6800 Burleson Road
Building 310, Suite 165
Austin, TX 78744
Academic Testing
Candidates must undergo a timed, 3-part test covering basic mathematics, reading comprehension, and basic grammar/spelling skills. This test is administered at CAPCOG RLEA by RLEA staff on scheduled orientation days. Testing and Orientation days are scheduled for only one BPOC class posting at a time.
Candidates who possess the following criteria are exempt from taking the Academic Testing:
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college
• 2 or more years of active military service and a DD-214 (member 4 page) showing an honorable discharge
Age
TCLEOSE mandates that candidates must reach his or her 21st birthday by the end date of the BPOC class he or she is attending. There is no other age requirement.
Education
Candidates must have one of the following combinations of documented educational milestones completed and submit transcripts for all education:
• A High School Diploma, or
• A GED plus 12 Semester Credits from an accredited college or university, or
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, or
• 2 or more years of active military service. If a candidate has exited the military, the candidate must show a DD-214 (member 4 page) showing an Honorable discharge.
Military Status
Candidates who have served in the military for any amount of time are required to submit a complete Form DD-214 (Member 4 page) showing his or her Honorable Discharge and re-enlistment code. In order to be admitted into the BPOC Program, the word HONORABLE must be present under the discharge disposition.
Candidates who have 2 or more years of active military service and have been honorably discharged may forego the required academic testing.
CAPCOG RLEA is an approved Veteran’s Administration school. Qualified candidates may apply for Chapter 30, Montgomery GI Bill benefits; Chapter 33, Post 911 GI Bill benefits; and Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation GI Bill benefits, while attending the BPOC.
Physical and Psychological Fitness
Day Class: Candidates must be able to run for 2 miles and pass a Peace Officer Physical administered by a licensed Texas physician.
Night Class: Candidates must be able to pass a Peace Officer Physical administered by a licensed Texas physician.
All candidates must be able to pass a psychological exam called an MMPI administered by a licensed Texas psychologist or psychiatrist.
Criminal History
Candidates must meet the following criteria:
• Cannot have been convicted of a Class B Misdemeanor within the past 10 years
• Cannot have been convicted of a Class A Misdemeanor within his/her lifetime
• Cannot have been convicted of a Felony within his/her lifetime
• Cannot have any pending Class B Misdemeanors, Class A Misdemeanors, or Felonies
Costs
Applicants to the Basic Peace Officer Program will incur costs during both the qualifications phase as well as after being accepted into the program as shown below. The following table includes the typical costs that an applicant will incur. The tuition, books, and supplies are the only fees paid directly to CAPCOG; all other fees and expenses are paid by the applicant/student to outside vendors. Pricing for the various items and equipment vary and subject to change. CAPCOG RLEA recommends that applicants make no purchases until he or she has been accepted into the program.
| Qualifications Phase: | |
| Entry Level Testing | $25.00 |
| Criminal History Background Check | $9.95 |
| Physical | $75.00 |
| Drug Screen | $50.00 |
| Psychological/Emotional Evaluation (MMPI) | $200.00 |
| Tuition | $2,200.00 |
| Books & Supplies | $100.00 |
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
| Daily Uniform (prior to start of class): | |
| Polo Shirts | $100.00 |
| Black BDU Rip-Stop poly/cotton Pants(banana bay) | $75.00 |
| Garrison Belt | $20.00 |
| Police Tactical Boots | $90.00 |
| Shirt/Short Set for Physical Training | $50.00 |
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
| Duty Rig (mid-course): | |
| Duty Belt | $25.00 |
| Duty Belt keepers (set of 4) | $10.00 |
| Handcuffs Case | $15.00 |
| Collapsible Baton Holder | $10.00 |
| Double Magazine Holder | $20.00 |
| Handcuffs | $30.00 |
| Holster | $50.00 |
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
| Weapons and Ammunition (mid-course): | |
| ASP Baton | $100.00 |
| Handgun | $500.00 |
| 1000 rounds ammunition | $300.00 |
| 5 rounds buckshot (OO or OOO) | $25.00 |
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
| Additional Supplies: | |
| Mouthpiece | $2.00 |
| Running shoes | $30.00 |
| Misc. office supplies | $30.00 |
Certifications and Syllabus
Note: This is a complete listing based on the Full-Time Day BPOC schedule. The Part-Time Evening BPOC syllabus may be modified to fit the Part-Time Evening model while still fulfilling the requirements mandated by TCLEOSE for the Basic Peace Officer Course; some topics or certifications may be eliminated to fit the particular schedule.
Certifications:
• Basic Peace Officer Course
• Semi-Automatic Handgun
• Shotgun
• Less Than Full Access TCIC/NCIC
• Community 1st Aid, CPR, and AED
• Tactical Police Driving
• Expandable Baton
• OC Certified
• Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
• NIMS – ICS 100 and ICS 700
Questions? Call 512-916-6160 or send email to bpoc@capcog.org.
