Spring 2026
Basic Peace Officer IV
Approved: Initials/date Basic Peace Officer IV (CJLE 1524) CREDIT 5 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 8 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Face to Face PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: Meet minimum requirements established by TCOLE for entry into an academy/concurrent with CJLE 1006, CJLE 1329, CJLE 1512, and CJLE 1518. COURSE DESCRIPTION Supplemental course taken in conjunction with Basic Peace Officer Courses I, II, III, and IV. Satisfies or exceeds the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement approved Basic Peace Officer Academy Course #1000. ***THIS COURSE MAY BE OFFERED ONLY BY INSTITUTIONS LICENSED AS A POLICE ACADEMY BY Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. *** COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: Demonstrate the role and function of a Texas Peace Officer and identify, analyze, and resolve law enforcement issues, problems, and concerns. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: M. Nixon, D.T. Jackson Email: policeacademy@lit.edu Office Phone: 409-242-0984 Office Location: MPC 258 Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS a. Texas Criminal and Traffic Law Manual current edition i. ISBN number is 978-1-947146-94-5 b. Uniforms and equipment as described in the cadet handbook and distributed during orientation ATTENDANCE POLICY 1. Cadets are expected to attend all classes. The Academy Staff will maintain an accurate record of attendance. Cadets are considered absent if they are not participating in the course as it is designed to the satisfaction of the instructor. Examples include cadets removed from class for disciplinary reasons or cadets unable to participate in Physical Training (whatever the reason). 2. Cadets must notify Academy staff at 880-8022 as soon as they realize they will be absent. 3. Cadets are not to leave the LIT Campus without prior approval from an Assistant Director or Staff, except during lunch breaks. Cadets leaving class or the LIT Campus without permission are considered Absent without Leave, and shall face disciplinary action. 4. Only an Assistant Director may authorize a cadet to leave campus prior to the end of the training day. In the event such authorization is given, the cadet shall report to the Administrative Office (room 258) prior to leaving, and upon returning. The cadet must also report in and out with the cadet’s squad leader. 5. No cadet can miss more than forty (40) hours of class time, no matter what the reason, and receive certification. Cadets cannot have any unexcused absences. Whether an absence is excused is solely at the discretion of the Academy’s Assistant Directors. 6. Cadets may not miss more than six Physical Training sessions, regardless of the reason. This includes missing due to injury. Any PT Instructor may remove a cadet from training and require that cadet to provide a Medical Release before being allowed to resume. 7. Cadets who are absent from any class due to injury must be seen by a physician and must bring a completed and signed Medical Release Form upon returning to the Academy. All excused absences shall be made-up. It will be the responsibility of each cadet to arrange for make-up work and it is each cadet’s responsibility to maintain an accurate log of make-up time. A Cadet who has not made-up all excused absence time will not receive an endorsement of eligibility to take the licensing exam and will not graduate from the BPOC until all such time has been made-up. Cadets who have not made up all time owed prior to graduation will be allowed no more than five working days beyond the last class day to make up the time owed. In such an instance, the Cadet will be given an endorsement of eligibility upon completion of any time owed. If the time is not made up within five days, the Cadet will not be given an endorsement of eligibility. 8. Whenever a cadet is not present at the beginning of the training day or the resumption of training following a lunch break, that cadet is considered to be tardy. Tardiness beyond fifteen minutes is considered to be an absence. 9. A cadet may be tardy twice without any repercussion or consequence. Additional instances of tardiness will result in written warnings. Excessive tardiness may result in dismissal from the academy. 10. Cadets arriving for or returning late to class are to report in at the Administrative Office (room 258) before entering the classroom; and with their respective Squad Leader as soon as practicable. 11. The Academy Staff will determine if absences due to tardiness are excused or unexcused. Cadets shall make every effort to notify the Academy Staff prior to any absence or tardiness. 12. Class times are subject to change or modification. Generally, changes in class hours (especially night training sessions) will be noted as far in advance as possible. 13. Training may extend beyond the normal time of dismissal. No cadet may leave training until properly dismissed, no matter what time it is. Such action will be considered an unexcused absence. 14. At no time shall a cadet leave the classroom without permission during instruction, nor will a cadet interrupt the instruction to ask permission to leave. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process by the specified date as listed in the College Calendar on the Student Success web page. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. A. Voluntary A cadet may voluntarily withdraw from the BPOC at any time. Withdrawal must be made according to the prescribed procedure in the LIT Student Handbook. B. Involuntary (Dismissal) A Cadet may be involuntarily dismissed for any of the circumstances listed below. In such a case, the Director shall review the facts to determine the validity of the allegation(s) and, if found to be true, shall advise the sponsoring agency and cadet in writing that the cadet will not be allowed to complete the BPOC or, if the cadet has completed all coursework, will not receive an Endorsement of Eligibility to take the Licensing Exam. 1. Academic failure 2. Performance test failure 3. Cheating or assisting another to cheat, or dishonesty of any kind 4. Unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, absence of more than 40 hours, or failure to make up all time owed due to absences. 5. Failures to pay all money owed, or return all property to LIT or the Academy. 6. Discontinuation of Agency sponsorship, regardless of reason 7. Failure to meet the minimum standards for entry 8. Failure to obey lawful instructions or commands from a member of the Academy Staff, an instructor, or other recognized authority. 9. Repeat violations of any of the Academy Rules and Regulations or any violation relating to safety or disruptive behavior. COURSE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC READINGS Test 1/5/2026 Orientation/ TCOLE Rules In Class Participation 1/15/26 1/6-7/2026 CPR, First Aid, BCON In Class Participation Hands On 1/8-9/2026 Fitness, Wellness, and Nutrition In Class Participation 1/15/26 1/12-13/2026 Professionalism & Ethic MPC In Class Participation 1/22/26 1/13-14/2026 Professional Policing In Class Participation “ “ 1/15/2026 Multiculturalism In Class Participation “ “ 1/16/2026 Racial Profiling In Class Participation “ “ 1/16-19/2026 Texas Constitution In Class Participation 1/22/26 1/19/2026 Consular Notification In Class Participation 1/22/26 1/20-28/2026 Penal Code In Class Participation 2/5/26 1/29-30/2026 Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP) In Class Participation 2/12/26 1/30/2026 Civil Process In Class Participation “ “ 2/2-6/2026 Arrest, Search, & Seizure In Class Participation “ “ 2/9-12/2026 Force Options MPC In Class Participation 2/19/26 2/13/2026 Intro to Firearms In Class Participation Hands-On 2/16-20/26 Traffic Code In Class Participation 3/11/26 2/23-25/26 Crash Investigation In Class Participation 3/11/26 2/26/2026 TIMS In Class Participation 2/26/26 2/26/2026 TABC In Class Participation 3/2/26 2/27/2026 Intro to Handcuffing In Class Participation Hands On 3/2-6/2026 Firearms In Class Participation Hands On 3/9-10/2026 Written Communication In Class Participation 3/19/26 3/11/2026 Hazmat In Class Participation 3/19/26 3/16-17/2026 Radio Communication Alert Training In Class Participation 3/26/26 3/17-18/2026 Sexual Assault/Family Violence In Class Participation “ “ 3/19-20/2026 Victim of Crime In Class Participation “ “ 3/20/2026 Human Trafficking In Class Participation “ “ 3/23/2026 Juvenile Offender In Class Participation 4/2/26 3/27/2026 CITP/TBI/CSCAL In Class Participation “ “ 3/30 - 4/2/2026 Arrest & Control In Class Participation Hands On 4/6-10/2026 CIT In Class Participation 4/10/26 4/13-17/2026 Driving NAPD In Class Participation 4/15 &17/26 4/20-22/2026 SFST Intoxicated Driver Detection In Class Participation 4/22/26 4/23-24/2026 Verbal Communication In Class Participation 5/7/2026 4/27/2026 Canine Encounters In Class Participation “ “ 4/27/2026 Deaf and Hard of Hearing In Class Participation “ “ 4/28/2026 ID Crimes/ Asset Forfeiture In Class Participation “ “ 4/29/2026 Missing & Exploited Children In Class Participation “ “ 4/30-5/1/2026 Spanish In Class Participation Hands On 5/4-8/2026 Criminal Investigations In Class Participation Hands On 5/11-15/2026 Patrol Skills In Class Participation 4/20/23 5/18-19/2026 ALERRT Level 1 In Class Participation Hands On 5/20/2026 Review In Class Participation “ “ 5/21/2026 TCOLE Exam In Class Participation 5/21/2026 COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Average of test grades, which includes: o 10-15 written or electronically administered exams over the TCOLE learning objectives • Final PT assessment grades will be averaged into one test grade. GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS For the latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc., review the Minimum Computer and Equipment Requirements on the LIT Online Experience page. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses. STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION 1. No food, drinks, or use of tobacco products in class. 2. Computers, telephones, headphones, and any other electronic devices must be turned off while in class or used only with permission of the instructor. 3. Do not bring children to class