Texas Certified Cruelty Investigator Course

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In 2011, TACA was asked to take over the training programs formerly offered by the Association of Certified Cruelty investigators. ACCI wanted to improve the training it was providing by making the courses specific to each of the states they were currently teaching in. ACCI recognized TACA as the leading agency in Texas for animal control and welfare and knew TACA's history and stability made them the ideal candidate to continue providing this much needed training to the benefit of TACA's members and the animals they protect. TACA's board recognized the value the courses provided to its membership and unanimously approved taking over the courses. This new training became known as the Texas Certified Cruelty Investigator courses and provides the highest level of specialized training for those tasked with performing these duties.

TACA's Texas Certified Cruelty Investigator courses are designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to handle all aspects of a cruelty investigation, from reportwriting to courtroom procedures. Cruelty cases are often won or lost based upon the credentials of the expert witnesses. Defense attorneys will often attempt to have testimony from ACOs thrown out or disallowed if they can't prove that they have specific experience in cruelty investigations. Certification as a TCCI provides tangible proof that you have the training and experience needed to handle these unique cases and will make sure that your voice is recognized as the expert testimony it should be.

For a list of Instructors,
please click HERE.

To contact The TCCI State Coordinator, please click HERE. Please click here to read TACA's COVID-19 protocols.

TCCI Classes for 2024! For questions,
please click HERE to contact the TCCI Coordinator.

Certification Requirements

Animal Control Officers must satisfactorily complete all three courses. Certified Peace Officers must satisfactorily complete Courses 101 and 301.

Courses do not have to be taken in any particular order; however certification is not transferred until all courses are successfully completed as required.

Officers who have successfully completed a cruelty investigations course given by the National Animal Control Association, the Law Enforcement Training Institute, or the Association of Certified Cruelty Investigators may be certified as a TCCI if they email proof of training for consideration and approval. Officers who have successfully completed prior training may get credit for CI 101 and/or CI 201 and only be required to complete CI 301 for certification.

All Officers certified as TCCI must obtain and maintain an annual membership with TACA. Officers whose memberships lapse will be required to pay all back dues owed before they may be reinstated as a Texas Certified Cruelty Investigator.

All Officers certified as TCCI must successfully complete a renewal course at least once every three years. Renewal courses will be provided each year at TACA's Annual Training Conference. To register for renewal, please contact Al Garces.

Code of Conduct

TACA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment and all participants including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, exhibitors, board members, staff, service providers, and all other meeting guests are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct.

This Policy applies to all TACA trainings, conferences, and other events, including those sponsored by organizations other than TACA but held in conjunction with TACA events, on public or private platforms. TACA has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment by any participants at our meetings. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, TACA asks that you report it via email to Al Garces or call (832) 629-5535 so that appropriate action can be taken.

Unacceptable Behavior is defined as:

Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
Verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, exhibitor, board member, staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest including, but not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any participant.
Disruption of presentations during sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by TACA throughout the meeting. All participants must comply with the instructions of the moderator and any TACA event staff.
Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services except where specifically allowed.

TACA reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations, to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and to prohibit attendance at any future meeting, virtually or in person.

Course Outline

TCCI 101

Approved for 17 CE hours by TDSHS
Topics covered include the correlation between animal cruelty and human violence, bloodsports, and animal husbandry of domestic pets and livestock.
Payment must be made prior to class.
Please click here to download the necessary information for this course (members only)

Note! This course is a half-day followed by two full days.
Cost: $150.00 members
$200.00 non-member

TCCI 201

Approved for 13 CE hours by TDSHS

Topics covered include basic investigation techniques, legal aspects, search warrants, writing reports, warrants,and affidavits, and a mock trial. This Course is not required for Certified Peace Officers, although they may attend if they wish.

Payment must be made prior to class.
Please click here to download the necessary information for this course (members only).
Cost: $150.00 members
$200.00 non-members
Click here to register for TCCI 201

TCCI 301

Approved for 6.5 CE hours by TDSHS
Topics covered include Texas cruelty laws, on-scene evidence collection, processing evidence in the shelter, puppy mills, and animal hoarding.
Please click here to download the necessary information for this course (members only).
Note - This class also contains a 2-hour TCCI Re-certification Class. Texas Certified Cruelty Investigators who are fulfilling their 3-year RENEWAL REQUIREMENT ONLY may attend at no charge, and need only attend the law update portion of the course. All others must attend the full class.
Next available offering: Annual TACA Conference

All courses are approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services for continuing education hours for Animal Control Officers.
All courses are approved by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association for continuing education hours for Certified Veterinary Technicians.
CI 101 and 301 are accepted by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) for continuing education hours for law enforcement personnel.
Cost: TBA

Please note! any registrations or payment sent by USPS mail must be sent to:
TCCI
2521 Georgia Ave,
Deer Park, TX 77536

Texas Animal Control Association

2521 Georgia Ave.

Deer Park, TX 77536