The agreement will expire March 31, officials said.
What you need to know
COM will continue operating the program through its conclusion, an April 24 news release from the college noted.
TCOLE did not provide an explanation as to why they chose to not pursue a new contract, according to the news release.
“TCOLE’s decision is disappointing, given COM’s longstanding relationship with the commission and the academy’s decades of service to the law enforcement community,” COM President Warren Nichols said in the news release. “Our law enforcement academy has been a cornerstone of public safety training in our region, and we are proud of its legacy.”
The final day academy cohort will run from July through December. The upcoming fall evening academy has been canceled, as it would extend beyond the contract’s expiration. Current academy cohorts will continue uninterrupted, according to the news release.
The history
COM’s law enforcement academy was established in 1967 and began offering basic peace officer training in 1970, according to the news release.
Since its establishment, the academy has achieved the following:
- Conducted 126 cohorts
- Graduated 1,605 cadets
- Hosted 1,385 education courses
- Served over 10,500 law enforcement professionals across the region
“COM views this transition as an opportunity to expand its criminal justice program,” according to the news release.
The college is working to partner with four-year institutions in Texas to develop co-enrollment agreements, which will include a pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice entirely on COM’s campus without having to travel to the four-year institution.
The college will also continue to operate its firearms training facility and offer its fire protection technology and emergency medical services programs, according to the news release.
