Texas Border Business
After 20 weeks of intensive classroom instruction and hours of rigorous real-world simulation, eleven cadets completed the South Texas College (STC) Police Academy. All eleven cadets earned 24 hours of college credit and passed the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement state exam on their first attempt. City of Pharr and law enforcement officials, college leadership, family and friends came together to honor the cadets at the 7th Police Academy Completion Ceremony on June 25 at the STC Cooper Center.
Among the cadets is Ramón Regalado who secured a peace officer position with the City of Pharr Police Department. “It was very challenging experience,” he said. “There is no room for distractions and you have to be determined. There’s still much more to learn, but I feel fully prepared going into the field with the knowledge and training I received as part of the STC Police Academy.”
The STC Police Academy consists of two academic routes including an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement and a Basic Peace Officer Certificate. Through the degree route, professionals already in the field have an opportunity to expand their knowledge. Through the certificate route, students gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become qualified, trained, ethical and competent peace officers.
“On behalf of the City of Pharr, we are very proud of our cadets,” said Mayor Ambroisio “Amos” Hernandez during his keynote address. “They play a pivotal role in impacting the lives of our community and serve as mentors for our children. The people of the Rio Grande Valley deserve the best. South Texas College has given you all the opportunity. You cannot have finer leaders who care about the community than you do at South Texas College.”
Launched in the spring of 2013, the STC Police Academy was born out of a partnership with the City of Pharr. Admission to the STC Police Academy is highly competitive, requiring all applicants to pass polygraph tests, physical fitness tests, background checks and other standards.
“These cadets are the epitome of what law enforcement officers should be,” said Mario Reyna, dean for Business & Technology at STC. “At South Texas College, everything we do is for the community. Therefore, expectations and standards are set very high. We do everything in our power to develop our cadets and we are extremely proud of our partnership with the City of Pharr.”
The cadets represent the seventh class of the STC Police Academy and include David Alejandro Aranda, Daniel Rene Calvillo, Abel Garza, Dariela Garza, Artemio Gonzalez, Jorge Luiz Martinez Jr., Ricardo Daniel Martinez, Jose Alejandro Medina, Luis Angel Oyervides, Ramon F. Regalado Jr., and Abundio Ivan Salinas.
For more information about the STC Police Academy call (956) 872-5671, email policeacademy@southtexascollege.edu or visit bt.southtexascollege.edu/police.
