Basic Peace Officer I Syllabus for 2021-2022
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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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Course

CJLE-1506-001 Basic Peace Officer I

Prerequisites

Course Description

Basic preparation for a new peace officer. Should be taken in conjunction with Basic Peace Officer II, III, IV, and V (supplement) to satisfy the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCLEOSE) approved Basic Peace Officer Training Academy.

 

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(5 sem hrs; 10.25 hours per week/164 actual clock hours)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

TX Criminal Law & Motor Vehicle Handbook (NEWEST EDITION); Elements of Crime (Newest Edition); TCOLE Basic Peace Officer Curriculum; Arresting Communication – Academy Edition, and TCOLE Current Rules.

Supplies

Required Supplies

Recruits must wear an authorized Academy uniform while attending Academy classes. Specific information regarding uniforms will be covered during orientation. A streamlight strion flashlight/ or approved variant is required. This may be purchased through AC bookstore. Any variant must be approved by the coordinator prior to the first day of class. A laptop, chrome book, iPad or similar electronic device is required. Cell phones are not permitted as a similar electronic device. The AC bookstore does have some laptops available to rent, dependent upon availability.

Regular Daily Academy Uniform:

• Coyote Brown trousers, neatly pressed always (refer to uniform regulations for the approved styles).
• Academy shirts (royal blue polo shirt - short or long sleeves) with Academy logo. All buttons on the shirt must be buttoned except the top button.
• Black police or military style boots/shoes with a toe that can be shined. Corfam-style shoes or boots are not authorized. (Corfam is a synthetic high-shine leather).
• A black crew-neck t-shirt shall be worn under the uniform and visible above the “V” of the collar of the uniform shirt.
• Academy jackets can be purchased through the Academy. Although not mandatory, no other jacket is allowed to be worn with the Academy uniform unless approved by the Coordinator or Instructor due to inclement weather.
• Pants should have an acceptable length where there is natural break in the lower leg part of the seam, touching the top of the shoe in the front and extending to approximately one (1) inch from the ground at the heel of the shoe. Pants will fit naturally and shall not be taken in simply for aesthetics reasons.
• Black gloves and watch cap with no logos are authorized for cool/wintry weather outside of the building or exceptions can be made by the Coordinator.

*****Any exceptions to uniform wear must be made by the Coordinator *****

During physical fitness and certain practical portions of the Academy, the required uniform will consist of the following:

• Navy blue mesh athletic shorts or sweatpants (without logos)
• Academy t-shirts
• socks
• athletic shoes (no neon colors allowed)

Optional

• Mouth Guard
• Athletic supporter with cup
• Padded bra
• Eye protection
• Hearing protection
• Athletic tape

Student Performance

Recruits will be required to maintain an 80% GPA during the entire duration of the Academy. The 80% requirement will be effective after the third section test grade is entered in the grade book. Failure to maintain an 80% or higher GPA may result in dismissal from the academy. Topic learning objectives are mandated by TCOLE. All objectives are listed in the TCOLE curriculum guide provided to students at the onset of the academy.

By the end of this course, in combination with Basic Peace Officer II, III, IV, and V, the student will be able to sit for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement state examination.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Recruits should act in a professional manner at all times while in class and during breaks. The Coordinator or any instructor may remove a recruit from the class for any activity such as horseplay, disruptive conduct, insubordination, etc.  Cheating is grounds for immediate dismissal from the Academy. Any instructor or recruit observing unacceptable conduct of an academy member will report the problem to the Academy Coordinator. Recruits are expected to be courteous at all times. No recruit will, at any time or under any circumstances, exhibit a lack of self-control or demonstrate any disrespect or insubordination to persons in authority, or show any indication of belligerence, contempt, silent contempt, vulgarity, or lack of courtesy. No recruit will allow his or her personal conduct (at any time) to cause any adverse reflection on either the recruit personally or the academy. At no time will a recruit exhibit behavior indicative of neglect of duty or lack of moral excellence in his or her personal conduct.

Grading Criteria

GRADING CRITERIA	Total  GPA
Weekly Tests/ End of Topic	25%
Pop Tests	5%
Homework Assignments	5%
Writing Assignment	10%
Notebook	15%
Mid-Term Tests	20%
Final Semester Tests	20%

 

Grading Scale    A (100-90); B (89-80); C (79-70); D (69-60); F (59–0)

When a recruit scores less than 70% on the first administration of any section test, the recruit shall retake the exam.  The make-up exam will be different, but comprehensive and essentially equal in content and difficulty of the regularly scheduled exam. The re-take of the test shall be completed within the same day or an allotted time frame directed by the academy coordinator. Any recruit re-taking a test after a failure will receive a grade of 70% on the make-up provided the recruit scores 70% or above on make-up exam.  If a 70% is not achieved on the re-test, the original grade will stand.  Failure to score at least 70% on the re-test may result in dismissal of the recruit from the Academy.  Only one re-test will be allowed per failed test.  The Academy Coordinator schedules all re-tests and may dismiss any recruit from the Academy who fails to complete a re-test within the allotted time frame, who fails a re-test, or who fails more than 3 separate regularly scheduled tests during a semester.

1. There is a comprehensive examination on material covered at the end of each section. Any recruit who misses an exam must take the make-up test at the Criminal Justice Programs Office located on the West Campus, Bldg. C, within seven days of notification.  Any recruit who fails to take his/her make-up test within the allotted time frame will receive no more than 70% on the make-up. If the test make-up is due to an excused absence, the recruit will receive the actual grade made on the test, provided the test is taken within the one-week period. If the make-up test is due to an unexcused absence or failure, 70% is the highest grade the recruit can receive on the re-test. (Please refer to Attendance, for further information regarding make-up tests.)
2. When a recruit misses a class, the Academy Coordinator assigns make-up work consisting of an essay over the subject matter missed. Length of essay depends on length of time class is missed.  A recruit who misses up to four hours of class will be required to write a 250 word essay; a recruit who misses four to eight hours of class will be required to write a 500 word essay.  The topic for all make-up essays will always be over the subject covered in class during the recruit’s absence.  A recruit will be given a specified amount of time (usually one week) to complete the make-up work.  If the make-up work is not completed within the allotted time frame and the recruit has failed to contact the Coordinator regarding a need for extra time, the required length of the paper will double. (Please refer to Attendance, for further information regarding Make-up Essays.)
3. Pop Tests will be given at unscheduled intervals during the Academy.  Recruits will be tested over subjects they are currently covering or have just completed. Pop Tests are averaged and the average scores counts as one grade each semester. Before averaging grades, the lowest Pop Test score will be dropped. A missed test counts as a lowest grade. Pop tests are not retaken.

Attendance

The attendance requirement for the Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy is 100% unless the Coordinator authorizes an absence in advance. The following rules will apply for absences, tardiness, and leaving class early:

• A recruit who must miss class - for any reason - must contact the Academy Coordinator or Academy Office and advise them of their reason for being absent prior to the start of class. 
• A recruit missing more than 32 hours during the Academy (whether excused or unexcused) will be dismissed from the Academy. 
• A recruit who has one unexcused absence may be dismissed from the Academy. 
• An absence will be excused only if the recruit has a valid reason for the absence (illness, family emergency, death in the family, etc.) and if it is reported on or before the date of the absence.
• On the FIRST day a recruit returns after being absent, the recruit must present in writing a statement regarding the necessity of the absence. This statement will be placed in the recruit’s file. 
• A recruit who anticipates being more than 10 minutes LATE should notify the Academy Office or Coordinator, if possible, before class begins. A recruit who is late and/or leaves early will be counseled by the Academy Coordinator. A recruit who is excessively tardy (more than 3 times a semester) may be dismissed from the Academy. Arriving late three times, leaving early three times, or a combination of the two will count as one absence.  (If there is a valid emergency, a recruit must contact the Coordinator or the Academy Office.)
• Any portion of the day in excess of one (1) hour missed may be considered as an “absence” and may require the written Learning Objective assignment, and there is no prorated provision regarding minimal length as related to absence.
• A recruit who must leave class EARLY (any time before the instructor dismisses the entire class), should notify the instructor before leaving and the Academy Office as soon as practical. If a recruit knows in advance that he/she will have to leave class early, the Academy Office must be notified in advance.
• Recruits with any absences involving training sections with mandatory classroom presence (example: crisis intervention, Spanish training) or any skills-based training (example: firearms, defensive tactics), will be required to make the sessions up on their own time and at their own expense for payment of instructor time and supplies. Such make-up training is to be conducted during a time period other than regular class attendance time.
• The Academy staff will decide if an absence is excused or unexcused.

Make-up work, Mandatory Learning Objective assignment, and/or tests will be assigned when a recruit returns and must be completed within one week. The purpose of the Learning Objective assignment is to provide the recruit with the equivalency training covering all of the missed learning objectives, and to validate that such training was received or conducted. Depending upon the course materials missed, the Coordinator may make appropriate adjustments to the Learning Objective assignment to demonstrate compliance with the TCOLE standards. A recruit who does not complete the make-up work within the allotted amount of time may be required to double the length of any required essay and may be subject to disciplinary action. A recruit will receive the actual score made on the test if the recruit has an excused absence and makes up the test within the allotted time frame. A recruit who misses a test but did not have an excused absence and/or does not complete the make-up test within the allotted time frame will receive no more than 70% on the test regardless of the actual score. Make-up assignments shall be typed. All make-up tests will be taken within a specified time frame at the Criminal Justice Programs Office on the West Campus of Amarillo College.

Regardless of circumstances, it is the responsibility of the recruit to obtain notes, handouts, booklets, assignments, etc., upon missing any class time.

Illness

• If any classes are missed due to serious illness, recruits are required to contact the Coordinator or Academy prior to the time missed to advise the Coordinator of the nature of the illness. The Coordinator may take special situations that prevent the student from making advance notice into consideration.
• If a recruit finds it necessary to leave during class time because of illness or has a legitimate emergency, it is the responsibility of the recruit to notify the Coordinator, or Class Leader if the Coordinator is not available.
• Recruits with illnesses that may be communicable and/or which may reasonably be perceived or expected to pose a health risk to others may be disallowed attendance pending a medical release.
• Recruits with injuries posing health risks may be required to obtain a written medical release before engaging in select activities. If the injury occurred during the Academy, a police report may be required through the Amarillo College Police Department.

Leave

• In the event that the recruit knows an absence will occur for a valid reason, the recruit will notify the Coordinator as soon as practical and possible.
• Any recruit taking emergency leave is subject to the same guidelines applicable to any other absence.
• Situations which justify emergency leave are:
  • Death
  • Serious illness or injury of the recruit or a family member
  • Natural or man-made catastrophe
  • Any other sudden or unexpected event which the academy staff deems as a legitimate emergency

Fictitious Illness; Unauthorized Absences

Any false report of an illness, injury, emergency, or any absence that is feigned will be considered fictitious and an unauthorized absence. Any fictitious illness, injury, or emergency will be handled with discipline or dismissal.

Other Matters

• In the case that the school closes due to inclement weather conditions, recruits’ absences will be excused. The Coordinator may modify the schedule or mode of program delivery to accommodate training while complying with TCOLE and other applicable requirements.
• Any time missed may be required to be made up, including time based on a revised schedule set by the Coordinator or designated staff member.

If a recruit receives a subpoena to appear in court, a copy of the subpoena will be presented to the Coordinator, or a staff member.

Calendar

Additional Information

Resources available to students:
Instructor assistance through individual sessions or group sessions as appropriate

Peer tutoring

Amarillo College Library and Computer Lab

Amarillo College Writer’s Corner

Student Academic Help/ Student Resources

There are a variety of resources available to help students with issues they may be experiencing throughout the semester. You are encouraged to contact me with any questions or problems you might have while taking the course. In addition, you may access many of the various student resources at: https://www.actx.edu/student-resources.

You may also visit the Academic Help and/or Student Resources page on the class site for more detailed information.

Reproduction of Course Materials

Students are prohibited from reproducing any portion of this class without written permission from the instructor of record or authorization through Disability Services. This includes, but is not limited to, lecture notes, class discussion boards or any other class materials. For purposes of the policy herein, “reproducing” applies to photographic reproduction, audio, video, or any other type of reproduction of course materials.

Student Complaints or Issues

Any recruit who has a complaint or problem of any type regarding the academy should notify the Coordinator of the academy as soon as possible.  A complaint could include problems with other recruits, instructors, or the college.  The Coordinator will give the recruit a complaint form that the recruit will fill out and return to the Coordinator within 24 hours. When the completed form is returned, the Coordinator will discuss the complaint with the recruit and any other involved parties and then determine what action the Coordinator feels is necessary to properly address the complaint. The Coordinator will then discuss the findings with the Criminal Justice Programs Director and a determination will be made regarding the appropriate action to be taken. The recruit will be advised of the results of the complaint investigation. The completed complaint form will become a part of the recruit’s permanent file in the Academy office. If the complaint was on another recruit, the recruit being complained on will also have a copy of the findings placed in his/her file. If the complaint is on the Coordinator, the recruit should make all notifications to the Director of Criminal Justice Programs. Depending on the nature of the complaint, the recruit may be asked to make the complaint in writing and return to the Director within 24 hours. When the written complaint is returned, the Director will discuss the complaint with the recruit and any other involved parties and then determine what action the Director feels is necessary to properly address the complaint. The recruit will be advised of the results of the complaint investigation. The written complaint will become a part of the recruit’s permanent file in the Academy office.
Decisions made by the Coordinator may be appealed only to the Director of Criminal Justice Programs. Decisions made at the Academy level are final and may not be appealed further.

The Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy Rules & Regulations Manual is the ultimate guide for the academy. If the Rules & Regulations Manual and this syllabus are in conflict, the Rules & Regulations Manual will take precedent. Policies are subject to updates during the course of the academy due to such things as changes in laws, regulations, or rules. If a material change is made to these rules during the academy, an update of that section(s) will be provided to the recruit. Also, in the case of a conflict, TCOLE rules and policies will supersede Amarillo College rules and policies.