BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Led by experienced instructors with strong industry connections, Texas Southmost College’s Basic Peace Officer Program is preparing the next generation of law enforcement professionals while helping graduates secure positions with police departments across Cameron County and throughout Texas.
“Through our networking, experiences, and working with other law enforcement partners, we’ve been able to facilitate many employment opportunities for our cadets,” said program instructor Tirso Cruz.
Cruz and his colleagues regularly invite officers from police departments across the Rio Grande Valley and throughout Texas to speak with cadets at TSC’s ITEC Center. During these visits, officers share insight into their departments, discuss hiring expectations, and explain how cadets can position themselves for employment.
“That’s ultimately our goal—not only to get them through the course, but to get them licensed and give them an opportunity to get hired by an agency and progress through their careers,” Cruz said.
The Basic Peace Officer Program equips cadets with the knowledge and skills needed to pass the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) examination, which is required to become a licensed peace officer in Texas.
“In 2025, we had 100 percent of our cadets complete the program and pass their license exam,” Cruz said. “We have high expectations of our cadets and the moment they come in we explain that to them because we have a legacy to live up to.”
Toward the end of the Spring 2026 semester, officers from the Brownsville Independent School District Police Department and the CapMetro Transit Police Department visited cadets to discuss opportunities within their agencies. Cruz previously worked with officers from both departments.
“It’s nice that they come in and share their experiences—how they joined their agency and how we can be recruited,” said cadet Dakota Fox.
While some cadets hope to remain close to home, program leaders emphasize that unique career opportunities also exist outside the Rio Grande Valley.
Officers with the CapMetro Transit Police Department earn a starting salary of just under $70,000.
“We’ve seen a lot of interest because of the relocation bonus,” said CapMetro Transit Police Department Patrol Sgt. Daniel Sanchez. “No other police department that I’ve seen offers the money to relocate somewhere new. It’s been a great incentive. That, along with the base starting pay, is significantly higher than any department in the Austin area.”
Sanchez, a Rio Grande Valley native, graduated from the UTB/TSC police academy in 2012. He said his academy experience differed from what Cruz, and his colleagues now provide.
“When I was here, we would get flyers from departments that were hiring,” Sanchez said. “Background investigators and recruiting officers were rarely available to answer questions. This makes it more accessible, allowing students to get answers and clear up any doubts they may have.”
