Texas Border Business
By Selene Rodriguez
The newly introduced Corrections Academy at South Texas College will begin classes on June 12, in collaboration with the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, which will offer a job to all students that successfully complete the six-week academy and pass the corresponding Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) licensing examination.
Classes will be held Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at STC’s Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence in Pharr.
“This is a full-time accelerated program that can help students start a career in law enforcement with a job secured. It’s a short commitment that will pay well for the amount of time they will be investing” said Victor Valdez, STC’s Public Safety program chair. “Our program is designed to meet all the certification requirements so our students can immediately get a job. Additionally, the completion of the academy will award them nine college credits they can use toward an associate degree in law enforcement.”
To apply to STC’s Corrections Academy, all interested candidates must complete a polygraph test, a medical and psychological screening and a fingerprint submission, all required to work at a city or county jail.
“All students will be subject to a criminal history check and background investigation up to the point when they finish the academy, but other than that we will essentially be hiring any student who passes the state exam after graduating the academy,” said Captain David Friedlein of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.
The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office currently has more than 40 positions open right now. On average, a corrections officer can earn a starting salary of $36,659 and obtain additional compensation according to their education.
“There’s many exciting opportunities in a correctional facility, from a correctional officer to investigator, but this can also be a stepping-stone to a career in law enforcement,” explained Friedlein. “There’s a lot of different opportunities and career paths available by being employed with us; they can get enough experience to move to dispatch or decide if they want to become a peace officer.”
STC’s Corrections Academy will give students an overview on how to properly register inmates’ information, including classes on administration and ethics and humanities that will help the students learn how to deal and de-escalate stressful situations by treating inmates fairly, objectively and humanely.
“Being a correctional officer is truly a public service where the main goal is to keep our community safe; we protect the integrity of our region by securing, while giving fair treatment to all those in custody,” said Friedlein.
Deadline to apply to STC’s first Corrections Academy is May 5.
STC will host two more academies in the fall and spring, for a total of five opportunities for enrollment throughout the year.
“We appreciate STC for working with us in this project that finally has come to a reality. STC has been an amazing long-time partner, we’re so excited to welcome their students on our team,” said Friedlein.
To apply for the County Corrections Academy or for more information on training and programs offered at STC’s Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence, visit southtexascollege.edu/rcpse/ or call 956-872-4208.
