AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Amarillo College’s Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy is now accepting applications through Feb. 19 for its 133rd Basic Peace Officer Academy, starting in April.
According to AC officials, the Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy adheres to all standards set by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, ensuring 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.
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Founded in 1968, the Academy has a long history of preparing officers for service. Today’s recruits complete more than 800 hours of intensive, high-impact training over a five-month period. The 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 facility that brings together law enforcement, fire, and EMS education under one roof. AC officials stated that 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…