AC’s Basic Peace Officer Academy Applications Due Feb. 19

Amarillo College’s Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy is now accepting applications for the 133rd Basic Peace Officer Academy, which begins in April. Individuals seeking a career in law enforcement are encouraged to apply. Applicants must complete the full application process by Feb. 19, so those interested are urged to begin as soon as possible.

The Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy follows all standards set by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), ensuring that every recruit gains the knowledge, skills, and discipline required to meet the real challenges of a peace officer’s career. In Texas, anyone seeking to become a licensed peace officer must complete a Basic Peace Officer Course, and AC provides this essential pathway.

Founded in 1968, the Academy has a long and respected history of preparing officers for service. Today’s recruits complete more than 800 hours of intensive, high-impact training over a five-month period. 

Their instruction spans a broad range of critical topics, including arrest and control, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, mental health, the penal code, constitutional and traffic law, arrest, search and seizure, physical fitness, and more. 

This training is delivered at Amarillo College’s First Responders Academy, a state-of-the-art facility that brings together law enforcement, fire, and EMS education under one roof—creating an immersive, real-world environment that prepares students for the demands of their future careers.

Applicants must meet all minimum standards set by TCOLE and AC, pass an entrance exam, complete a formal interview, undergo a background check, and successfully complete a physical exam, drug screen, and psychological exam prior to acceptance.

“Our academy is built on a legacy of excellence,” Joe Cannon, AC coordinator of the Law Enforcement Academy. “We challenge our recruits, support them, and prepare them for the realities of modern policing. Those who complete this program leave ready to serve their communities with professionalism and integrity.”

While the Academy primarily trains individuals seeking employment with agencies across the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle, applications are open statewide to anyone who wishes to begin a career as a Texas peace officer.

“For more than five decades, the Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy has played a critical role in shaping the future of public safety in our region, Eric Wallace, AC dean of Public Service Programs. “The 133rd Academy continues that tradition by offering rigorous, relevant training that meets the needs of agencies across the Texas Panhandle. We look forward to welcoming our next class of recruits.”

For more information or to begin the application process, contact the Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy at 806-457-4450 or visit the Amarillo College First Responders Academy located at 3891 Plains Boulevard in Amarillo.