Police academy

A police academy is a training school for new police recruits, also known as a law enforcement academy.

United States

Police Academies exist in every state and at the federal level. Each state has specific physical and academic requirements for cadets. These requirements are public and not confidential. While some states allow open enrollment in police academies, many require cadets to be hired by a police department in order to attend. This is to prevent the dissemination of sensitive information to the public.

Florida

In Florida, police academies are primarily run by community colleges or state agencies. All law enforcement officers in the state are certified as such by a governing body appointed by the governor called the "Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission" under the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. All applicants must pass a state exam to make them eligible to be hired as law enforcement officers and must complete a 40 hour mandatory retraining certification every 4 years to remain law enforcement officers.

Michigan

In Michigan, in order to become any law enforcement officers, any and all applicants have the option to be certified by the "Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards" or MCOLES. All persons wishing to become police officers in the State of Michigan must be certified through MCOLES. Cadets must pass a physical fitness exam as well as a reading and writing exam. Applicants also cannot have any felonies, weapons violations, or a history of domestic violence posted on their criminal records. Police academies are most often part of community colleges, city or county police and sheriff departments, or the Michigan State Police.

At the end of the police academy, candidates take the MCOLES test. Upon successful completion, candidates are 'certifiable' and have a period of one year to obtain a job (if not sponsored by an agency). If a candidate is unable to obtain a police job within that year, and if the candidate wishes to be considered in the future, he/she must attend a two-week re-certification course, which adds another year to the window of opportunity.

Australia

Larger police departments usually run their own academies. States often run a centralised academy for training of personnel of law enforcement agencies within the state.

Police academies ensure that officers meet basic local, state, and federal standards. Graduation from an approved academy program is usually required before a new police officer is placed on active duty.

Aruba

The police academy in Aruba is originally called "INSTITUTO POLICIAL EDGAR JUAQUIN (WATTY) VOS" or simply "SCOL DI POLIS" for short. It is located in San Nicolaas near Baby and Rodgers beach. A cadet will be put on the street as an 'internship' for the second year of his four year stint at the academy.

External links

* [http://lawenforcementforum.com Law Enforcement Forum] .
* [http://www.state.ia.us/ilea The Iowa Law Enforcement Academy web site]
* [http://www.joinlapd.com/academy.html Police Academy] of the LAPD
* [http://www.post.ca.gov California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training]
* [http://www.ppdonline.org/career/career_tng_training.php Police Academy] of the Philadelphia Police Department
* [http://www.joinjso.com/police_academy/ Police Academy] of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office