The CAPCOG Regional Law Enforcement Academy’s Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) provides academic, practical instruction, and preparation for the Texas State Peace Officer Licensing Examination required for all people hoping to become a Texas peace officer. It offers at least three courses a year.
Full-Time and Part-Time BPOCs
Full-time day BPOCs run from 6:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday for about 6 months. Classes are held at the CAPCOG offices in the Mesquite training room and consist of academic lessons and physical fitness training. Part-time night BPOCs run from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Classes are usually held off site at various locations and are geared toward working adults who find it necessary to maintain employment while attending the course. Please note the location of the BPOC.
BPOC Testing and Registration
Academic Testing
BPOC candidates must undergo a timed, four-part test covering basic mathematics, reading comprehension, basic grammar/spelling and writing skills. This test is administered at CAPCOG by RLEA staff on certain examination days which are scheduled for only one BPOC at a time. Each examination costs $75. If no examination registration page is listed, then the scheduled exam time has passed. Please check back for future exam opportunities; however, there may be no new exam times for the most upcoming BPOC.
Register to take a BPOC examination.
Personal History Statement
After passing the test, BPOC applicants will need to complete a Personal History Statement provided by CAPCOG before they can be enrolled. Completed Personal History Statements must be scanned and emailed to bpoc@capcog.org or mailed to: CAPCOG RLEA 6800 Burleson Road Building 310, Suite 165 Austin, TX 78744.
Read CAPCOG’s admission procedures for prospective BPOC cadets.
BPOC Entrance Requirements
Reviewing the personal history statement and other qualification documents such as Psychological/Emotional Evaluation (MMPI) and Criminal History Background Check, CAPCOG will determine if a person meets the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) requirements or is prohibited from entering a course based on RLEA’s BPOC Applicant Disqualification Guidelines.
Age
TCOLE issues Peace Officers Licenses to applicants who are at least 21 years of age; or 18 years of age if the applicant:
- has received an associate’s degree; or
- earned 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university; or
- has received an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States after at least two years of active service.
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.
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 discharge classification and re-enlistment code. In order to be admitted into the BPOC Program, there must be no dishonorable discharge or other discharge based on misconduct that would bar future military services. CAPCOG’s RLEA does not accept GI bills.
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 currently be awaiting trial for final disposition for any criminal offense.
- Cannot have ever been convicted of any offense involving family violence.
- Cannot be prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle.
- Cannot be prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Citizenship
Candidates must be a United States citizen.
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.
Other Requirements & Disqualifiers
Read CAPCOG’s BPOC Applicant Disqualification Guidelines.
Read the TCOLE cadet requirements in full.
Summary of Costs
BPOC applicants will incur costs during the qualifications phase and after being accepted into the program. The following tables include typical costs for applicants. The testing, tuition, books, and supplies are the only fees paid directly to CAPCOG; all other fees and expenses are paid by the applicant to outside vendors. Pricing for the various items and equipment vary and are subject to change.
Tuition Cost
CAPCOG promotes two different tuition prices for cadets attending a BPOC based on their attending status. Independent cadets are people who are taking a BPOC and earning their Basic Peace Officer License before being hired by a policing agency. Agency-hired cadets are cadets who are employed by policing agencies before joining the academy. Examples of such policing agencies can be municipal police and fire departments, such as Georgetown, Granger, Marble Falls and Blanco PDs, or Austin, Round Rock; and Sam Marcos fire departments; and county offices, such as Llano, Fayette, and Caldwell county SOs; Blanco, Burnet, and Lee county constable offices; or Hays and Bastrop district attorney’s offices. Due to its proximity to the state capital, agency-hired cadets also includes state policing agencies such as Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Independent cadets: $3,300
Agency-hired cadets: $2,500
CAPCOG RLEA recommends applicants make no purchases until they are fully accepted into the program.
| Qualifications Phase | Cost |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Testing Fee | $50 |
| Criminal History Background Check | $41.45 |
| Physical | $75 |
| Drug Screen | $50 |
| Psychological/Emotional Evaluation (MMPI) | $200 |
| Books & Supplies | $100 |
| DPS Driving History | $10 |
| Certified Birth Certificate | $22 |
| Daily Uniform (prior to start of class) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Polo Shirts | $24-34 each (minimum of 2 required) |
| Khaki 5.11 Tactical Taclite Pro Pant | $49.99 |
| Garrison Belt | $20 |
| DPolice Tactical Boots | $90 |
| Shirt/Short Set for Physical Training | $24-$26 each set (minimum of 1 required) |
| Duty Rig (mid-course) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Duty Belt | $25 |
| Duty Belt keepers (set of 4) | $10 |
| Handcuffs Case | $15 |
| Collapsible Baton Holder | $10 |
| Double Magazine Holder | $20 |
| Handcuffs | $30 |
| Holster | $50 |
| Weapons and Ammunition (mid-course) | Cost |
|---|---|
| ASP Baton | $100 |
| Handgun | $500 |
| 1000 rounds ammunition | $300 |
| Box of 25 rounds of Birdshot | $8 |
| 15 rounds buckshot (OO or OOO) | $30 |
| Additional Supplies and Fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| Lab Fees for Driving Training | $35 |
| TCOLE Peace Officer Licensing Exam(veterans are exempt) | $25 |
| Misc. office supplies | $30 |
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 the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement 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
Contact 512-916-6160 or bpoc@capcog.org with questions.
RLEA provides in-service law enforcement training that corresponds with all mandated learning objectives set by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) as well as courses that reflect the current needs and trends of the ten-county region. RLEA also sponsors area law enforcement training by approving the instructor’s qualifications and lesson content, providing TCOLE credit and maintaining all essential record keeping for each course.
Find and register for an upcoming law enforcement training course.
Common In-service Courses
CAPCOG offers or hosts a variety of specialized in-service courses, but a list of common courses, their TCOLE numbers and descriptions are below.
40-hour Crisis Intervention (1850)
This course provides training in identifying and interacting with victims and offenders who have mental health issues as well as those under the influence of legal and illegal substances from a law enforcement perspective.
Asset Forfeiture (3255)
The course is designed to inform peace officers regarding the legal aspects of seizing property, defenses to forfeiture, search and seizure methods and procedures.
Canine Encounters (4065)
This course covers the legal definition of a dangerous canine, Texas requirements for notifying the owner of the animal, where to find information about dangerous canines and how to read a dog’s body language.
Cultural Diversity (3939)
The purpose of the course is to deliver training in diversity, tolerance, and acceptance.
Firearms Instructor (2222)
Professional skill development for Peace Officers desiring the TCOLE Firearms Instructor Certificate. Students will receive theory and practice in Range Safety/Management, Course Design, and Liability Issues. A TCOLE Instructor Certificate is mandatory to enroll in this course.
Human Trafficking (3271)
The purpose of the course is to increase the law enforcement community’s awareness of the issues of human trafficking through the exposure of informational materials and research.
Identity Theft (3277)
This curriculum is designed to instruct the student in recognizing the types of identity crime, personal and financial identifiers, currents and trends of identity theft.
Interacting with Drivers who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (7887)
This course provides training on the appropriate techniques of interacting and communicating with drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Intermediate Arrest, Search, and Seizure (2108)
The course is designed to provide intermediate level understanding of the subject including probable cause, detention, and arrest as well as identify appropriate responses to suspicious circumstances.
Intermediate Child Abuse Prevention and Investigation (2105)
The course is designed to provide intermediate level understanding of the nature, legal aspects, history of, and causes of child abuse as well as the methods and special nature of investigating the subject.
Intermediate Crime Scene Investigations (2106)
The course provides intermediate level understanding of the subject. Course includes instruction in legal aspects of a crime scene search, investigating, sketching and photographing, fingerprinting, identification, collection, and preservation of evidence, DNA evidence, and computer crimes.
Intermediate Spanish for Law Enforcement (2109)
This course is designed for law enforcement and correctional custody officers to develop speaking and listening skills and to promote a deeper understanding of the Hispanic population in the state of Texas. The utmost concern is to provide a foundation in the Spanish language that will not only lead to a strong repertoire for communicating with Spanish-speaking people but also to the provision of officer safety.
Intermediate Use of Force (2107)
The goal of this curriculum is to provide a thorough understanding and knowledge of the statutory laws related to the use of force.
New Supervisor Course (3737)
This course is designed to provide the student with the information to be prepared as a new supervisor. This course meets the requirements for compliance with 1701.352 Occupations Code for new supervisor training.
Patrol Rifle Instructor (3323)
The Patrol Rifle Instructor’s Course is a weeklong, 40-hour course designed for the firearms instructor. The course starts with two qualification courses that must be passed with advanced proficiency. There are several classroom presentations/lectures throughout the week including student teach backs and student run courses of fire. The course covers advanced weapon systems nomenclature, disassembly, cleaning, inspection and reassembly. The range portion will cover weapon zeroing, malfunction clearing, positional shooting, and barricade shooting, low light and tactical movement. The student should be a firearms instructor and familiar with the AR15/M16 weapon system.
Racial Profiling (3256)
The course covers the legal aspects, law enforcement policy, and liability issues concerning racial profiling.
State and Federal Law Updates (3185)
The goal of this curriculum is to provide law enforcement officers with an update of recent statute changes and additions provided by the Texas Legislature as well as recent Supreme Court decisions that impact important issues such as search and seizure, detention, etc.
Special Investigative Topics (3232)
This curriculum is designed to meet the continuing education requirements for peace officers in the State of Texas. This course includes: Child Abuse and Neglect, Family Violence, Sexual Assault and issues concerning Sex Offenders.
TCOLE Basic Instructor Certification (1014)
Professional skill development for Peace Officers desiring the certification for teaching law enforcement classes. Subjects taught include preparing lesson plans, methods of instruction, testing and evaluation, instructional media, student development, and student teaching exercises.
How do I register for a Class?
To register for a class, go to training.capcog.org and find the law enforcement courses. Scroll through the available classes until you reach the class you are interested in attending. Register by clicking on “Register Now”. Enter your information including payment type. You may register up to three people at a time. A registration receipt will be emailed to the address provided. If you paid online with a credit card, a transaction receipt will be emailed as well.
How do I cancel my registration?
To cancel a registration, training.capcog.org and find the course you need to cancel. Click on the “I need to cancel.” button. Enter the email address you provided and the registration number. You will receive an email showing your cancellation. If you prepaid, contact RLEA to request a refund. Be prepared to give payment information such as the check number, amount, and date mailed if paid by agency check or money order. If the registration was paid with a credit card, a minimum refund fee of $10 will be deducted from the refund amount.
How do I get a refund for a canceled registration?
If you prepaid for a class with a credit card, a money order, or an agency check, contact RLEA. Be prepared to give payment information such as the check number, amount, and date mailed if paid by agency check or money order. If the registration was paid with a credit card, a minimum refund fee of $10 will be deducted from the refund amount.
Is there a fee for canceling a registration?
If you paid with a credit card, a minimum refund fee of $10 will be deducted from the refund amount.
How can I pay for a class?
Pay for courses online with a credit card, or pay ahead of the class with an agency check or money order. CAPCOG does not accept cash or personal checks. Be sure to note on the check the class name, class date, and the name of the attendee or attach a registration receipt or a flyer for the class. If you pre-approve your registration with your agency and obtain a purchase order, then CAPCOG can use the purchase order number to bill your department. CAPCOG will not bill your department without prior approval from that department.
What credit cards does the CAPCOG website accept?
The CAPCOG website accepts all major credit cards.
Can I pre-pay for a class?
You may pre-pay for a course using a credit card on the website or by mailing an agency check or money order to CAPCOG. Be sure to note on the check the class name, class date, and the name of the attendee or attach a registration receipt or a flyer for the class.
When will the credit for my class be reported to the TCOLE?
Credit for classes should be entered into the TCLEDDS online system within 30 days of the last day of the class. It may take up to a week for TCOLE.
