Tarrant County College District
Criminal Justice Training Center
BPOA Course Information Document
168th BPOA
Attendance Policy:
1. A cadet must attend 100% of the course, in accordance with these
guidelines, in order to complete and receive credit for the course.
2. If a cadet is absent, whether excused or unexcused, they will complete a
required absence report with a typewritten letter of explanation for the
absence and complete a mandatory Learning Objective assignment
(described below) to be submitted directly to the course coordinator within
one calendar week of their return back to class (or prior to taking TCOLE
exam, whichever is sooner).
a. The purpose of the Learning Objective assignment is to provide the cadet
with the equivalency training covering all of the missed learning
objectives, and to validate that such training was received or conducted.
b. Depending upon the course materials missed, the course coordinator may
make appropriate adjustments to the Learning Objective assignment to
demonstrate compliance with the TCOLE standards.
c. The writing assignment requires a minimum of a 1-page paper, per hour
missed, that summarizes each of the learning objectives and the materials
covered in the class. Unless otherwise directed and approved by the
course coordinator, the paper is to be completed using APA style,
complete with cover page, bibliography, footnotes, single-spaced, and
designated standard 1” margins and Times New Roman 12 point font.
d. Any portion of the day in excess of 1 hour missed will be considered as
an “absence” requiring the written Learning Objective assignment, and
there is no prorated provision regarding minimal length as related to
absence.
e. For any additional questions or explanations, the cadet is to consult with
and follow the direction of the course coordinator.
1
3. If a cadet has been absent for a total of twenty-four hours (excused or
unexcused) or missed any skills training, a meeting will be arranged between
the cadet, the course coordinator, and if applicable, the agency or employer
of the cadet to discuss the potential ramification for any additional absences.
The academy coordinator will also be contacted by the course coordinator to
advise status and action taken and to determine if an additional meeting
between the academy coordinator and the cadet is necessary.
a. Cadets with any absences involving training sections with mandatory
classroom presence (example: crisis intervention / classroom for Spanish
training) or any skills based training (example: firearms, defensive
tactics, SFST), will be required to make the sessions up on their own time
and at their own expense for payment of instructor time and supplies.
Such make-up training is to be conducted during a time period other than
regular class attendance time. The cadet may be placed on probation or
receive other corrective action or combination of actions determined
appropriate by the coordinator, up to and including dismissal from the
academy for any such absences.
4. If a cadet is absent for twenty-four or more unexcused hours, a cadet will be
subject to corrective action up to and including dismissal from the academy.
5. A cadet that has a total of 64 or more total hours of absences, whether
excused or unexcused, will be subject to corrective action up to and
including dismissal from the academy.
6. The academy staff will decide if an absence is excused or unexcused.
a. Generally, if a cadet is a “Hired Cadet,” staff will look to that
department’s policy regarding the definition of an “excused” absence.
7. All absences must be cleared with all assignments and make-up work
completed prior to the last day of the regular academy.
a. The academy coordinator may consider post academy completion dates
on a case-by-case basis with appropriate recommendations from the
course coordinator when extraordinary circumstances warrant such
consideration as deemed appropriate by the academy coordinator.
2
Tardiness:
Three or more unexcused tardies will make a cadet subject to dismissal, unless
they are due to exceptional circumstances. Skills classes cannot be made up;
therefore, they cannot be missed. The cadet will not be eligible to take the
TCLEOSE exam or graduate with a certificate of completion, if skills are not
completed.
Tests:
NOTE: Test dates are subject to change at class coordinators discretion.
The first major examination will be given on November 10, 2014.
The second major examination will be given on November 24, 2014.
The third major examination will be given on December 8, 2014.
The fourth major examination will be given on December 15, 2014.
The fifth major examination will be given on January 5, 2014.
The sixth major examination will be given on February 9, 2014.
The seventh major examination will be given on February 23, 2014.
The Final examination will be given on March 9, 2014.
For those students enrolled in the academy for college credit, the LAST day to
drop the class with a “W” is November 14, 2014.
Major Examinations:
Passing score for all major examinations is 75% or better.
A re-examination will be given for the first failed examination only. The
maximum passing score to be credited to the cadet’s average from a reexamination will be 75%. Failure of the re-examination or failure of any
succeeding major examination will be cause for dismissal from the academy.
3
As a reminder, two (2) major exam failures is cause for dismissal from the
academy.
Material for all examinations will be taken from the TCLEOSE learning objectives
of the Basic Peace Officer Course, any lecture / instruction provided by instructors,
handout material, or other pertinent information as deemed necessary by the
academy staff.
Other Examinations:
Other examinations from material suggested or presented to the class may be
given. These examinations may be counted as major examinations and will be
announced as such prior to the exam being given.
Skills:
Skills testing will consist of written and / or performance examinations. Skill
testing areas are: Firearms, Defensive Tactics, Emergency Vehicle Operations,
Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) and Patrol Procedures. All skills areas
must be passed with the minimum score based on each skill for written
examinations and successful qualification of all skill related tasks:
TCIC/NCIC:
SFST:
Firearms:
Taser:
OC Spray:
Police Driving:
Defensive Tactics:
75%
80%
70%
80%
70%
70%
80%
Failure of any portion of the skills areas is cause for dismissal from the academy.
Three attempts will be given for firearms qualification and must be conducted in
the presence of an academy staff member.
The following grade ledger will be utilized in determining grades:
100-90
89-80
79-75
Below 75
A
B
C
F
4
 Anything below 75% on a Major Examination is considered failing by
TCCD BPOA standards.
 The class will save a copy of all their essays and vocabulary words on
whatever type of media they choose (USB drive, disk etc.), which will be
checked periodically for completeness.
 All assignments are a part of the curriculum and are mandatory.
 Plagiarism will not be permitted. Plagiarism-to steal and pass off (the ideas
or words of another) as one’s own: use (another production) without
crediting the source; to commit literary theft: present as new or original an
idea or product derived from an existing source.
 Cheating on an examination will not be tolerated. Cheating will be cause
for immediate dismissal.
 The class is required to bring physical training clothing (P.T.) gear every
day.
 Any injuries are to be IMMEDIATELY reported to the Class Coordinator or
staff member.
 Each student is responsible to know and abide by all academy guidelines,
 which are in the TCCD CJTC manual, as well as TCCD Catalog and
TCLEOSE guidelines.
 The average of all major examinations will be the grade used for cadets
seeking college credit for PO I, PO II, and PO III.
 The endorsement of eligibility for the State Peace Officer Licensing Exam
will only be issued to a student who has completed each course (with a
minimum of C) during that specific academy.
 All written tests in Defensive Tactics (PPCT), Professional Police Driving,
Emergency Communications (TCIC/NCIC) and Standardized Field Sobriety
Testing (SFST) will determine the grade in tactical skills.
5
 Skills Practical Exam’s are on a pass or fail basis for Defensive Tactics,
Professional Police Driving, and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
(SFST).
 The Firearm Skills grade is based on the average of the final qualification
scores for Handgun (day), Shotgun, and a written exam.
 Anyone who fails to maintain appropriate behavior and appearance
comparable to a paramilitary organization will be counseled with and will
become a part of their personal file. Subsequent violations may result in
dismissal from the academy.
 Because this is a Police Academy, cadets will act in a professional and
courteous manner at all times while on and off campus.
 The BPOA Course Information Document and training schedule is subject to
change at anytime depending on the availability of instructors and the need
for additional testing.
Jillian Garza
Basic Academy Coordinator
6