Cadets in Action: Inside a New Partnership with Houston Community College

UT Police has welcomed a new class of police cadets this fall who will undergo training through a newly established partnership with Houston Community College (HCC).

Beginning on Sept. 15, the cadets will begin attending the HCC . The partnership with HCC ensures continuity in the training of new police officers to fill vacancies and meet the needs of the division.

HCC was selected for its reputation, proximity to the division and the recruits, and cost-effectiveness. The HCC partnership also offers key advantages to the cadets. For the division, it means that the cadets remain close to divisional resources and can develop relationships with their future peers at UT Police headquarters in Houston.

“This accessibility ensures a smoother connection between academic instruction and the division’s operational culture,” stated Backgrounds and Recruiting Investigator Vicente Gallegos.

The inaugural HCC academy for UT Police recruits is set to conclude in April 2026, and those who successfully complete the requirements to will be further supported by UT Police in a multi-phase transition process that includes four weeks of advanced training.

An early start

The partnership with HCC also provides UT Police with the unique ability to engage with recruits before they start training in their career.

The recruitment process for all cadets begins with an application for employment. Those identified as potential hires undergo a polygraph examination, an interview, medical and psychological evaluations, and a physical agility test. Applicants also submit thorough documentation required of potential police officers before they begin training.

Traditionally, the division’s police recruits have started their employment by reporting to the system’s Police Academy in Austin. Since August 5, the cadets have been reporting to UT Police’s headquarters in the Texas Medical Center to await the start of the HCC police academy. During this time, they have participated in a program developed by the Training and Recruitment teams.

“Our Pre-Academy Familiarization Training Course is designed to reduce the ‘first-week shock’ often experienced by new recruits,” said Gallegos. “It focuses on building familiarity with our division and their confidence as compared to the testing or certification focus they will experience in the academy.”

A sense of purpose

This early training has already deepened their connection to the division’s history and mission.

“Since becoming a cadet, I’ve learned a great deal about UT Police’s history,” said Cadet Alvis Alexander Jr. “I believe in my heart that I made the right choice, and I feel blessed to be chosen to work here.”

For Alexander, the calling goes beyond a career move—it’s about setting an example.

“I applied to be a UT Police cadet to not only be part of the change I’d like to see in the world but to be able to provide excellent customer service and empathy that patients and staff deserve,” he said.

For Cadet Larionne Clark, the journey to law enforcement started from her work with foster youth, trafficking survivors, and individuals with developmental needs. She is eager to learn how to serve, apply the law, de-escalate high-pressure situations, and maintain control in complex scenarios, she said.

Cadet Hervyn Guerra, previously a Public Safety Officer with UT Police, views his promotion as both an opportunity and a challenge.

“It will challenge me in ways I’ve never been challenged before,” Guerra said. “I love being part of an organization that offers so much opportunity for growth, and I’ve always wanted to be in law enforcement, so this is a win-win for me.”

Cadet Ruben Arnsworth, who also started his career with UT Police as a Public Safety Officer and who was named the 2025 Public Safety Officer of the Year, said this role once felt out of reach.

“At first, becoming a police cadet seemed like a far-fetched idea until I came to UT Police and realized it was truly possible,” Arnsworth said. “Growth and learning have always been important to me, and my family is thrilled about this opportunity.”

On the horizon

This fall’s cadets are stepping into roles that will help shape the division in its mission: To serve and protect the community.

Once the HCC academy concludes, they will conduct additional training that will focus on report writing and scenario-based exercises; specialized training for the university environment, including programs such as Custody to Care, Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement, and Integrated Communication Assessment and Tactics; and an in-depth review of divisional policies.

Following this, the new officers enter a 16-week Field Training Program under the guidance of experienced officers in the division.

A new class of recruits

For those considering a law enforcement career with UT Police, the Recruitment team seeks individuals who align to the division’s mission, vision, and values. Integrity, good character, and physical agility are also required.

For more information, visit www.utph.org/careers.