The Central Texas Regional Police Academy at Central Texas College is conducting information sessions this week for anyone interested in enrolling in the 2010 Extended Basic Peace Officer Course beginning in October.

This part-time, 10-month course is conducted in the same manner as the full-time, 20-week, Basic Peace Officer course.

The information/question and answer/background session are required for any interested potential cadets.

The final two sessions will be at 7 p.m. today and Thursday in room 104 of the Criminal Justice building, No. 113, on the CTC campus.

Information and background packages will be disseminated at each session. Also, a reading comprehension examination will be administered during the sessions.

Prospective cadets must meet minimum education requirements, meet minimum standards on criminal and traffic records checks and undergo a psychological examination, a physical examination and a drug screen.

The Extended Basic Peace Officer course entails 740 hours and provides the cadet with 23 semester hours of college credit.

It is designed to prepare the graduating cadet to take the state licensing examination to acquire a license to be a peace officer in Texas.

Individual blocks of instruction are presented in a variety of topics including multiculturalism and human relations, interpersonal communications, problem solving, ethics and professionalism, victims’ rights, Texas Penal Code, Texas Traffic Code, Texas Family Code, use of force law and concepts, firearms, defensive tactics, police vehicle operation, criminal investigation and physical conditioning.

Basic information about the course and enrollment qualifications and standards can be obtained through the CTC Web site, www.ctcd.edu, by typing “Regional Police Academy” in the Web site search box.

The course cannot be taken online and entails moderate to strenuous physical activity.

More information about licensing can be obtained by going to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education Web site, www.tcleose.state.tx.us.