TCOLE 40-hour Court Security Specialist Course

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March 23 – 27, 2026 

Hosted by SMU Police Department

Dallas, Texas 

Course fee $450

June 8 – 12, 2026

Hosted by Boerne Police Department

Boerne, Texas 

Course Fee: $450

(FULL) August 17 – 21, 2026

Hosted by

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office

112 Academy Dr

Conroe, Texas 

Course Fee: $450

(FULL) September 7 – 11, 2026

Hosted by 

San Patricio County Sheriff’s Office

Sinton, TX   78387

Course Fee: $450

Sept 28 – Oct 2, 2026

Hosted by 

Taylor County Sheriff’s Office

Abilene, Texas 

Course Fee: $495

The 40-hour TCOLE Court Security Specialist Course is a specialized, intensive training program approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) that prepares law enforcement officers and designated court security personnel to manage and secure courthouse environments — not just sit at a metal detector. The goal is to develop the skills needed to protect judges, jurors, court staff, defendants, and the public from real threats. 

This course is for:

· Court security officers

· Court Bailiffs

· Judicial security staff

· Law enforcement personnel assigned to courthouse duties

It builds on basic court security training (like the 8-hour Court Security Officer Course) and goes deeper into specialist skills. 

Completing this 40-hour program can qualify participants for the TCOLE *Court Security Specialist

The training satisfies the state legislative mandates Senate Bill 42, (The Judge Julie Kocurek Judicial and Courthouse Security Act), which require courts to have properly trained security personnel. 

If you’re a law enforcement officer or official charged with courthouse security in Texas and you want to go beyond “general duties” — learning threat response, security tech, screening management, and courtroom safety operations. This 40-hour TCOLE-approved course is the recognized training path to become a Court Security Specialist.

Course Instructor:  

Paul Urias is a retired Texas peace officer with more than 27 years of law enforcement experience, including over 16 years specializing in courthouse and courtroom security. During his career with the Midland County Sheriff’s Office, he served as a Courthouse Security Sergeant and District Court Bailiff, gaining extensive practical experience in court security operations, bailiff duties, prisoner management, security screening, emergency response, and courtroom safety.

Paul holds a Master Peace Officer License and is a TCOLE-certified instructor, Court Security Specialist, and Firearms Instructor. His combination of operational experience and instructor training allows him to provide practical, scenario-based instruction focused on the challenges law enforcement officers face in courthouse environments.

Following his retirement, Paul continued his commitment to law enforcement training through Guardian Training Agency, where he provides specialized training to peace officers and agencies throughout Texas. He serves as an instructor for the 40-hour TCOLE Court Security Specialist Course, emphasizing officer safety, sound tactics, professional bailiff practices, threat recognition, and the practical application of court security principles.

Paul's instructional philosophy is straightforward: court security training should not only satisfy training requirements—it should provide officers with practical knowledge and skills they can apply when protecting judges, court personnel, defendants, jurors, and the public.