The Midland Police Department (MPD) is providing free housing to those enrolled in its academy, according to a Facebook post the law enforcement agency posted Monday. MPD said recruits will stay in dormitories throughout their training and their probationary period of employment.
“This amazing initiative aims to alleviate financial barriers and enable aspiring officers to focus on their training without worrying about accommodation costs,” the department said in the post.
According to MPD, the dormitories have a living room, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, a washer and dryer, a kitchen, and Wi-Fi access. Testing for the academy is slated for Aug. 19, the post said. Recruits put approximately 21 weeks into the academy, participating in classroom training on criminal justice, criminal investigation, basic law, police procedures and traffic control, MPD said on its website.
They will also be trained in proficiency areas of firearms, defensive tactics and physical training, the agency said. To successfully compete in the academy, recruits must pass the state peace officer licensing exam.
“The academy is mentally and physically challenging and gives the recruit the fundamentals for becoming a professional police officer,” the website said.
MPD said that recruits will receive full pay and benefits while in the academy. To become a police officer, applicants must possess a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) with a minimum of 12 college credit hours from an accredited school with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above. They must also be 21 years old or older, be able to pass the agency’s physical assessment standards, and carry a valid Texas driver’s license at the time of employment, as well as not have a felony conviction or a conviction for a Class B misdemeanor or higher within the previous decade. Law enforcement or military veterans are required to have an honorable discharge, MPD said.