The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has begun accepting applications for its 70th Law Enforcement Cadet Class, the agency said in a Nov. 2 news release. The application period closes Dec. 31.
According to the department, the class is open to people interested in careers as a Texas game warden or a Texas State Park police officer. The agency said cadets will join the next generation of state law enforcement officers whose jurisdiction extends beyond the pavement, patrolling remote landscapes and waterways.
“A career in law enforcement with TPWD offers opportunities that few agencies can match,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, TPWD’s Law Enforcement Director, in the release. “Our officers work in diverse environments, develop specialized skills and take on responsibilities ranging from conservation enforcement to emergency response.
“We’re looking for individuals who want more than a traditional law enforcement career and are ready to take on the responsibilities of this unique, but rewarding calling.”
TPWD said game wardens have enforced hunting, fishing and boating regulations since 1895, and state park police officers have served in state parks for more than 50 years. As fully commissioned peace officers, both groups also enforce all Texas criminal laws, including the Penal Code, Transportation Code and Health and Safety Codes, the release said. The department added that the Texas Legislature has authorized an expanded enforcement program that includes a 50-hour workweek for game wardens and paid overtime for state park police officers.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old on or before Oct. 1, 2027, with no maximum age limit, and must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by June 30, 2027, according to the department. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree may still qualify if they have at least 60 college credit hours and either two years of active-duty military service with an honorable discharge or two years of full-time experience as a commissioned law enforcement officer. TPWD said lateral transfers are not allowed and all applicants must complete the full academy.
The selection process also includes a background investigation, psychological and medical evaluations, and a physical readiness test that covers a swim test, push-ups, sit-ups and a four-minute rowing exercise, the agency said. Selected applicants will attend the 35-week Texas Game Warden Training Academy at the Game Warden Training Center near Hamilton, beginning Oct. 1, 2027.
Applications are available online through the TPWD website, and the department listed park police recruiter Lt. EJ Rivera as a contact for those interested in the state park police career path.