Basic Course In Applied Police Science (BCAPS)
General Information
The North Central Texas Regional Police Academy (RPA) provides basic law enforcement training for persons hired by law enforcement agencies who will be beginning a career as a law enforcement officer in the State of Texas. This program covers legal topics, police procedures, investigative techniques, and technical skills.
Graduates of the program receive a certificate of completion and eligibility to take the peace officer licensing examination.
Our classroom facility is located at 624 Six Flags Drive, Suite 125, Arlington, Texas. Classes are held Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m., except the DWI, Firearms and Practical portions of the course, which have some training in the evenings. The Basic Course in Applied Police Science (Basic Peace Officer Course) consists of 880 hours of instruction. The Academy schedules six to eight basic peace officer programs each year.
Entrance Requirements
Important: Prospective students are not allowed to register themselves for the academy. The HIRING AGENCY must enroll the student in the class.
The RPA is the oldest regional law enforcement academy in the nation, founded in 1968, and celebrating over fifty years of quality law enforcement education and training. The RPA is licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
The RPA is founded on principles of adult education and we believe that if students are going to be successful as law enforcement officers, they must demonstrate a capacity to provide mutual respect to all persons with whom they interact. For that reason, the RPA requires a level of conduct which demonstrates that capacity and the RPA encourages teamwork and an openness to learning. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement has established the following minimum standards for entry into a basic law enforcement training program.
Academy applicants must be hired by a law enforcement agency prior to enrollment in the academy and
- Be at least 21 years of age or 18 years of age if the applicant has received an associate's degree, 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university, or an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States after at least two years of active service;
- Meet the minimum educational requirements by passing a general educational development (GED) test indicating high school graduation level, possessing a high school diploma, or having an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States after at least 24 months of active duty service;
- Be fingerprinted and subjected to a search of local, state and U.S. national records and fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record;
- Have never been on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B misdemeanor (or its closest equivalent under the Texas Penal Code) and have not been on court-ordered community supervision or probation for a Class B misdemeanor (or its closest equivalent under the Texas Penal Code) within the last ten years from the date of the court order;
- Not currently be charged with any criminal offense for which conviction would be a bar to licensure;
- Have never been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor and have not been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years;
- Have never been convicted or placed on community supervision in any court of an offense involving family violence as defined under Chapter 71, Texas Family Code;
- Not be prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle;
- Not be prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition;
- Have been subjected to a background investigation completed by the enrolling or appointing entity into the applicant's personal history, including, at a minimum, completion of the Commission-approved personal history statement;
- Be examined by a Texas Medical Board-licensed physician, selected by the appointing or employing agency, and declared by that professional to be physically sound and free from any defect which may adversely affect the performance of duty appropriate to the type of license sought and show no trace of drug dependency or illegal drug use after a blood test or other medical test;
- Be examined by a psychologist licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists or a psychiatrist licensed by the Texas Medical Board, selected by the appointing, employing agency or the academy;
- Have never received a dishonorable discharge;
- Have never had a commission license denied by final order or revoked;
- Not be currently on suspension or not have a surrender of license currently in effect;
- Be a U.S. citizen.
Tuition and Fees
Through a cooperative grant from the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor's Office, we are able to keep tuition for law enforcement courses at a minimum. Tuition for attendance in the basic course is currently $2,332.00. If the recruit is a military veteran, the academy is approved by the Texas State Approving Agency (SAA) to allow veterans to use their VA educational benefits while attending the academy.
State Licensing
Successful completion of this course of instruction does not automatically result in state licensing as a peace officer. In addition to completing the Academy, you must pass the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Peace Officer Licensing Examination, which is administered at the end of the Academy.
Equipment and Clothing Needed While Attending the Academy
- Regional Police Academy uniform: khaki pants, khaki shirts (long or short sleeves depending on season), black belt, black duty boots.
- Physical fitness clothing: black RPA t-shirt, black athletic shorts, white or black socks, running shoes, black sweat suit or black jogging suit (depending on season).
- Leather gear, carrying bag, flashlights, handcuffs, batons.
- Handgun for firearms training.
- Defensive tactics gear: mouthguard, black BDUs, black t-shirts, black duty boots, and leather gear.
Contact Information
624 Six Flags Drive, Suite 125, Arlington, Texas 76011
(817) 608-2300 | (817) 640-9089 fax
Email