You do not have to pay a fee to attend the San Antonio Police Academy. You receive a salary while attending the academy and receive benefits as a City of San Antonio employee. For more information about the pay and benefits structure, click here.

The academy is approximately 32 weeks long.

No, our academy is not a live-in academy. You will attend the academy Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (specialized training will be done at night and on weekends).

As a condition of employment, you are not allowed to attend college or have a secondary job until you have graduated the academy.

We encourage you to maintain a physical fitness regimen that consist of cardio, strength training and endurance. Your workouts should be intense yet customized to your fitness level. Healthy eating habits and proper water consumption are also recommended to properly fuel the body, assist with recovery and added sustained energy. The San Antonio Training Academy utilizes the SAPD Standard Fitness Test which includes 1 minute push-ups, 1 minute sit-ups, vertical jump, 1.5 mile run and a 300 meter sprint. You should strive for 250 points but the minimum passing score is 190. The chart below reflects the requirements based on age and gender.

In order to prepare yourself for the scholastic aspects of the training academy, we recommend you increase your proficiency in reading and writing. While in the training academy you will receive over 1300 training hours and must maintain a minimum grade point average of 80.0%.

No, you are not required to cut your hair. However, you are required to adhere to the standards set forth by the San Antonio Police Academy. The standards currently are no longer than the bottom of the uniform shirt collar and must be of a conservative style and color. The “Pony-tail” hairstyle is an option. Female cadets opting for this type of hairstyle must ensure the hair does not extend more than (3) inches below the top of collar. Hair ornaments which are black, dark navy blue, or tortoise shell in color with no designs or attachments may be worn (similarly colored “scrunchy” type or related elastic hair ties are permissible provided that they are thin in size and shape and worn in professional manner).

All cadets that graduate from the SAPD Academy are sworn in as probationary police officers. Once probationary officers successfully pass a 14-week training period with a field training officer they can be assigned to any service area in the City of San Antonio. Typically, probationary officers are assigned to either the 1400-2200 hours shift (B shift) or the 2200-0600 hours shift (C shift) in the patrol division. Once a probationary officer successfully completes one year on probation he/she may put in to transfer to other areas or assignments. Officers are transferred on a seniority basis. Transfers even for younger officers tend to happen in a reasonable amount of time.

You will apply during the first couple weeks of the Academy.

You are authorized to utilize your VA GI Bill benefits while attending the SAPD Academy as well as during your FTO period (3 months) following graduation. The amount of benefit is determined by your eligibility. You will also receive 5 points extra on your written exam (applicants must provide evidence of honorable military service).