Basic Peace Officer Academy

The Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy at Amarillo College has been training people for careers in law enforcement since 1968. The Basic Peace Officer Academy is for those who desire a career in law enforcement. Starting salaries at Panhandle-area law enforcement agencies vary, but base pay generally starts between $45,000 & $55,000 annually.

PRLEA Applicant Letter - 134 (pdf)

About the Academy

Two academies are conducted each year:

• The Fall Academy starts in late September and ends in early March.
  • Monday - Friday
  • 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• The Spring Academy starts in early April and ends in mid-August.
  • Monday - Friday
  • 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

All academies are held at the Amarillo College First Responders Academy located at 3891 Plains Boulevard in Amarillo, Texas.

About the Applicant Packet

Please read the PRLEA Applicant Packet at the top of the page for application steps and disqualifiers for prospective applicants before you apply for the Academy.

If you would like to apply for the Academy, you must first meet the TCOLE Requirements. Secondly, you must meet the initial entrance testing or academic requirements or exemptions for the PRLEA. The Entrance Testing and Requirements are listed in the PRLEA Applicant Packet.

If you meet all the requirements, please call (806) 457-4453 for an interview.

Bacterial Meningitis Form

Please complete the Bacterial Meningitis DSHS Rapid Form and turn it into the Academy.

*Note: There are several types of documents that we can accept for the Bacterial Meningitis requirement. They include shot records, waiver forms from doctors, and the DSHS Rapid Form, which is the Exemption from Meningococcal Vaccination Requirements for Reasons of Conscience.