Applicants to the Houston Police Department must have either 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university or military service with an honorable discharge. They must be between 21 and 35 years of age at the time of application, be U.S. citizens, and meet other criteria as well. Training begins at the police academy where the curriculum focuses on such areas as community service, communications, evidence, patrol procedures, the Texas penal code, the psychology of policing and stress management, fingerprint identification, ethics, conflict resolution, and procedures to follow in conducting specific criminal investigations. Skills-based training includes driving, firearms, computers, safety and defense tactics, and physical fitness training. Practical exercises are available to help cadets apply skills they learn in the classroom. Field problem scenarios are also part of training, and cadets participate as both actors and evaluators. Cadets are evaluated by academic examinations and skills testing. Field training is provided in six phases, and professional development training is concerned with core curriculum components, human relations training, and other specialized training. Professional development training is also available for police management, as well as executive development training for assistant police chiefs. Instructors at the Houston Police Academy include classified officers of all ranks, civilians, college professors, assistant district attorneys, and other professionals with various levels of expertise. 3 references, 6 figures, and 17 photographs