Following a recent expansion to meet the Rio Grande Valley’s growing demand for law enforcement professionals, 37 newly Texas-licensed peace officers made history for South Texas College as cadets from all Police Academy cohorts from Mid-Valley to Starr County, achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) licensing exam.
The achievement marks the first semester the college simultaneously offered the Police Academy at its Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence (RCPSE) in Pharr, as well as the Mid-Valley and Starr County campuses, demonstrating the program’s continued success in expanding law enforcement training opportunities across the region.
“I’m extremely proud of our faculty and the hard work they put into preparing these students for the licensing exam. They worked tirelessly to ensure our cadets were ready, and the students proved it by earning a 100% first-time pass rate,” said Victor Valdez, STC Public Safety Programs department chair. “These results reflect not only our students’ hard work, but also the dedication of the faculty who prepared them.”
The graduating class included 31 cadets from the college’s 26-week full-time Police Academy, offered at three locations, and six from its evening part-time academy, a one-year program designed for working professionals.
Cadets must complete rigorous academic coursework, skills assessments and physical fitness requirements before earning eligibility to take the TCOLE licensing exam.
“Expanding our academy has never meant compromising quality,” Valdez added. “Whether you train in Starr County, at Mid-Valley, at the RCPSE or through our evening program, you’re receiving the same instruction and preparation for a successful career in law enforcement.”
For recent graduate Samantha Rios, who has begun the hiring process with the San Juan Police Department, the academy’s historic results reflect STC’s high standards and commitment to student success.
“The instructors set you up for success. They don’t give you more or less than what you need. They get straight to the point,” Rios said. “When I was taking the TCOLE exam, it honestly felt easy because I recognized the material. I would read each question and think, ‘I know this.’”
Rather than relying on memorization, Rios said instructors challenged cadets with real-life law enforcement scenarios, encouraged classroom discussions and refused to move forward until every student understood the material.
“They understood we all learn in different ways. It wasn’t just reading from a book. It was their experience, the real-life scenarios and the examples they gave us,” she said. “The combination of challenge and guidance was everything for me.”
Rios said the academy’s rigorous expectations gave students the confidence to succeed. Although the state licensing exam requires a passing score of 70%, cadets must maintain an 80% average before becoming eligible to take it.
“People told me STC was challenging and demanding, and that’s exactly what I wanted,” she said. “I wanted to earn it. It was hard, but it was worth it.”
Established in 2012, STC’s Police Academy has graduated hundreds of peace officers who now serve in local, state and federal law enforcement agencies across the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
Building on that success, the college underwent a rigorous review of its curriculum, instructors and training resources to earn an independent training academy license from TCOLE in 2024. The approval allowed STC to expand the Police Academy to Weslaco that same year and to Rio Grande City in early 2025, bringing training opportunities closer to students throughout the region.
“There’s a real need for this type of training here in Starr County, and the fact that almost every graduate walks away with a job proves that,” said Jose Rocha, STC Law Enforcement faculty member. “We’re fortunate to work closely with local law enforcement agencies, so we understand what they’re looking for and where they need personnel. We bring that into the classroom to make sure our cadets graduate with the skills employers are looking for.”
The most recent graduating class included the second cohort from Starr County, with six of the seven graduates already hired by the Roma Police Department, Rio Grande City Police Department, Starr County Sheriff’s Office and Webb County Sheriff’s Office.
“Starting this program in Starr County has changed lives, and I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Rocha said. “The results speak for themselves, and we’ll continue building on what’s working to deliver these kinds of results.”
For more information on STC’s Police Academy, visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/law-enforcement/academy.html or call 956-872-4208.