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HCC peace officer grads achieve 100 percent pass rate in state certification exam

Jan 30, 2024

Houston Community College’s Public Safety Institute recently graduated 32 cadets from its most recent Basic Peace Officer class with every cadet passing the state’s commissioning examination.

“This was an exceptional group of cadets,” said Gil Palacios, coordinator and instructor at the academy on the HCC Northeast Campus. “A 100-percent pass rate is evidence that our program is effective in developing department-ready officers who can immediately serve their communities.”

In all, more than a dozen police agencies were present at an event where respective agencies pinned badges on 29 of the graduates.

Hosted at the HCC Public Safety Center of Excellence on the Northeast Campus, the academy requires that cadets receive 736 hours of instruction in a curriculum designed to meet or exceed the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement requirements.

Students receive instruction that includes: fitness and wellness, the history of policing, professionalism and ethical behavior, the Texas Constitution, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, the criminal justice system, the Texas Penal Code and criminal code of procedure, civil process, de-escalation and verbal techniques, crisis intervention, emergency police driving, firearms proficiency and the mechanics of arrests, among various other topics.

The program typically takes 6 and-a-half months for the full-time class, and 10 and-a-half months for the part-time class.

Agencies and cities hiring graduates included Arcola PD, Baytown PD, Bellaire PD, Brookshire PD, Stafford PD, City of Conroe Fire Department, Harris County Precincts 2, 3 and 4 constables, Houston Arson Bureau, Humble ISD PD, Jersey Village PD, Katy ISD PD, Lone Star College PD, Missouri City PD, New Caney ISD PD and Pasadena ISD PD.

For more information, visit hccs.edu or call 713.718.8300.