Paris Junior College has been awarded a grant in the amount of $470,711 from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as part of the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Grant program.
PJC plans to use the funds to start a Law Enforcement Academy to deliver short-term education and workforce training that equips cadets and currently certified Texas Peace Officers with the knowledge and practical skills necessary for immediate employment in high-demand public safety occupations. Through the support of TRUE funding, the Academy will begin operation, purchase training equipment, and accelerate credential completion for students pursuing the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic Peace Officer License. This program is designed for completion in six months or less and culminates in the state-mandated credential required for sworn peace officer positions throughout Texas along with a continuing education certificate.
The need for law enforcement training in the region is urgent. Police departments, sheriff's offices, and campus police department agencies consistently report critical shortages of licensed officers, leading to extended vacancies, mandatory overtime, and challenges in maintaining public safety coverage. Labor market intelligence from TWC and Workforce Solutions Northeast confirms that Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) are high-demand occupations on the targeted occupation list with projected 16% growth earning well over $30,000 per year. Employer input collected during stakeholder consultations verifies that the number of available academy graduates falls short of hiring demand, particularly in rural communities where the recruitment pipeline is even more constrained.
The new program will allow the Academy to serve new cadets through modern instructional technologies such as force-on-force scenarios, body-worn camera systems, and digital evidence tools. These improvements directly respond to employer requests for graduates with both foundational law enforcement knowledge and proficiency in contemporary policing practices.
The project was developed in close consultation with regional stakeholders, including city police departments, county sheriff's offices, constable offices, and public-school district police agencies. Workforce Solutions Northeast representatives also participated in planning sessions to validate labor market demand and ensure alignment with supportive services such as tuition assistance and job placement. Letters of support from regional police chiefs, sheriffs, and Workforce Solutions Northeast emphasize both the acute shortage of licensed officers and their commitment to hiring Academy graduates upon completion.
The Law Enforcement Academy will function as a stand-alone, non-credit (convertible to credit) curriculum that provides rigorous face-to-face instruction supplemented by intensive, scenario-based practical training. This format ensures cadets are not only academically prepared to pass the state licensing exam, but also capable of applying de-escalation techniques, defensive tactics, and critical decision-making skills in real-world situations. By addressing employer-validated needs, building regional training capacity, and producing graduates ready for immediate entry into the workforce, the Academy will strengthen both the law enforcement profession and the communities it serves. PJC has received THECB approval for the start of the program and is in the process of attaining TCOLE approval before enrolling the first cadet class in the spring.