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Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office partners with Houston Community College to strengthen police training and education

Jun 11, 2025

In a landmark partnership aimed at enhancing law enforcement education and community trust, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office (FBCSO) and Houston Community College (HCC) have established an agreement to award college credit hours to cadets from the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy for their successful completion of the Basic Peace Officer Course training.

This innovative collaboration underscores the growing importance of formal education in law enforcement, where critical thinking, ethical reasoning, problem-solving and adaptability are key to meeting the demands of modern policing. Beginning May 13, 2025 — with the approval of the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court — cadets from Class No. 49 enrolled as HCC students and will earn 24 college credit hours toward an associate degree upon graduation in October 2025.

“This alliance helps us elevate the professionalism of our agency and better serve the public. By investing in education, we’re preparing individuals who not only uphold the law but also understand the importance of empathy, communication and adaptability,” Sheriff Eric Fagan said. “We are proud to support our trainees as they pursue academic and professional excellence.”

The collaboration stems from a strategic meeting on Feb. 14, 2025, between Sheriff Fagan and HCC leadership, including Dr. Michael Webster, HCC Southwest president; Dr. Alvin Collins, dean of the Public Safety Center of Excellence; and Dr. Helen Graham, HCC professor. The agreement represents a shared vision for an educated, effective and community-centered police force.

“This partnership between Houston Community College and the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office establishes a crucial pipeline for training qualified police officers, addressing the pressing issue of crime in our community,” said Dr. Betty Fortune, interim president of HCC Northeast College.

"HCC stands in partnership with Fort Bend County and the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office to provide the critical training these professionals need to serve our local residents," said Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. "This aligns perfectly with our mission as a community college. We look forward to hosting these cadets at our Northeast College."

“The signing of this agreement reaffirms our steadfast commitment to the education and training of peace officers in Fort Bend County and the surrounding area,” said Dr. Alvin Collins, dean of the Public Safety Center of Excellence.

HCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and future cadet classes at the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy will continue to receive accredited college credit for their training. With the completion of the new Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Complex later this year, additional opportunities for undergraduate and graduate degrees for law enforcement officers and regional partners are on the horizon.

This collaboration stands as a model for how law enforcement agencies and academic institutions can work together to create a safer, smarter and more community-connected future.