Hill College Police Academy Director Mike Hughes and Instructor Walt Bauer present at annual TCOLE conference
Ashlee Ferguson
Thursday, November 20, 2025 8:26 AM
Academics
Hillsboro, TX
This September, two Hill College faculty members—Police Academy Director Mike Hughes and Police Academy Instructor Walt Bauer—were selected to present at the annual Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) conference in McAllen, Texas.
Hughes and Bauer presented “Autonomy, Relevance, and Practical Application: A Modern Approach to Police Training,” to police training professionals from across the state. During the session, the two shared practical ways to integrate the concept they developed (known as ARPA) to shape the direction of the academy at the college. The presentation focused on improving retention, engagement, and performance through a hands-on, cognitive learning model.
The ARPA model has received attention from other police academies in the state, including Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, which has begun to implement elements of the model framework in their teaching program.
Hill College’s Police Academy covers 43 individual topic areas, ranging from a thorough understanding of the penal code and arrest procedures, including firearms and emergency vehicle operations. The program focuses on performance-based outcomes, instructor engagement, and scenario-driven instruction to ensure that cadets are prepared for the realities of the day-to-day responsibilities of modern policing.
“At Hill College, we believe quality police training starts with engagement and purpose. From day one, our cadets are actively involved in skills development, decision-making, and critical thinking. We are not just preparing them to pass a test; we are preparing them to serve their communities with competence and confidence,” said Hughes.
The hands-on skills training cadets receive connects classroom concepts to real-world experiences. This approach to instruction is backed by neuroscience studies that have proven that practical application enhances individual learning and long-term retention of methodologies and the realities of what it is like to be on the ground as an officer.
“Working alongside Director Hughes at Hill College has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my career,” said Bauer. “The college and Director Hughes have created an environment where instructors are encouraged to innovate, challenge outdated methods, and focus on what truly works for modern police training.”
Together, the two built the ARPA model into something that represents both the science and spirit of effective learning—a model they believe can shape the future of police education in Texas and beyond.
“Seeing our cadets apply these concepts in real-time—thinking, decision-making, and performing with purpose—is proof that this approach truly makes a difference in the day-to-day experience of our cadets. Our continued goal is to keep refining that model so that every cadet who graduates from Hill College is better prepared to think critically, act ethically, and serve their community with confidence and dignity,” said Bauer.
The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), a state agency created by the legislature in 1965, strives to meet its mission of ensuring a Texas where people are served by highly trained and ethical law enforcement and corrections personnel through screening, developing, monitoring resources, and setting standards.
The Hill College Police Academy offers programs at all three campuses, the Hill County Campus (HCC), the Johnson County Campus (JCC), and the Burleson Higher Education Center (BHEC). For more information on the academy, visit the Health & Public Service tab under Courses & Programs at hillcollege.edu.