Peace Officers, Jailers and Telecommunicators
In order to become licensed as a peace officer, county jailer, or telecommunicator in Texas there are four requirements:
- meet the minimum standards for enrollment and initial licensure;
- successful completion of the basic licensing course;
- passing of the state licensing examination; and
- appointment by a law enforcement agency
Telecommunications
Starting 1.1.2014 Texas Telecommunicators will be licensed. A telecommunmicator appointment reported to the Commission, must comply with Texas Occupations Code §1701.405 which states that they may not appoint or employ a person to act as a telecommunicator unless the person has had at least 40 hours of telecommunicator training as determined by the commission.
Notwithstanding this section, a person may be appointed or serve as a telecommunicator on a temporary or probationary basis or may perform the duties of a telecommunicator in an emergency. A person appointed on a temporary or probationary basis after September 1, 1987, who does not satisfactorily complete an accredited telecommunicator training program before the first anniversary of the date the person is originally appointed shall be removed from the position.
Getting a License if you are an out of state peace officer
The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) welcomes law enforcement officers from other areas considering a career move to Texas. Please review the “Out of State/Federal Application” carefully.