This full-time, 904-hour intensive course satisfies the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) minimum training requirements for California entry-level peace officers. The course typically meets Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m, is approximately six months in duration and is designed for employed or aspiring peace officer recruits who can dedicate their full attention and efforts towards completing the program. The full-time Intensive Academy requires a strong commitment by the recruits and their families. Upon completion the student can apply to police agencies as a Regular Peace Officer.
The Basic Police Academy course includes fundamental principles, procedures and techniques of law enforcement, including: Criminal Law, Patrol Procedures, Cultural Diversity, Investigative Procedures, Report Writing, Defensive Tactics, Firearms, Leadership, Ethics, Community Policing, Police Vehicle Operations, Traffic Enforcement, Accident Investigation, Handling Emotional Situations and First Aid/CPR. The course also includes a challenging physical conditioning requirement that will prepare academy students for police service.
Prerequisites
Each Basic Police Academy applicant must:
- Pass the POST Reading/Writing Test (see test info and schedule);
- Pass the Physical Agility Exam (see test info and schedule); and
- Complete the Academy Application process including medical clearance, proof of medical insurance, DMV history, DOJ Firearms Clearance.
- Adhere to the Basic Police Academy Student Needs List
- After successful completion of the POST Reading/Writing Test and the Physical Agility Exam, submit your scores on the Basic Police Academy Pre-Registration Form.
Minimum Standards for Employment
The minimum selection standards for peace officers in California are set forth in Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031. Every California peace officer must:
- Be free of any felony convictions;
- Legally authorized to work in the United States by federal law;
- Be at least 21 years of age;
- Be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record;
- Be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation;
- Be a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or have attained a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited institution; and
- Be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
For more information visit the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Peace Officer Candidate Information web page.
More Information
Peace Officer Selection Process
POST Regular Basic Course
POST Learning Domain Workbooks
POST Training and Testing Specification