Police Academy Training Program

Now accepting applications for the 70th Police Academy scheduled to begin Saturday, January 9, 2021.

During the application process the Police Academy will not have office hours to accept applications.  All applications will be submitted via email as stated in the instructions document STEPS TO APPLY.  If you have any questions about the Police Academy Program please do not hesitiate to email us at swcpoliceacademy@swccd.edu

Please look under Police Academy Training Navigation for information on Police Academy Programs.

Southwestern Community College/Police Academy/Otay Mesa HEC 
8100 Gigantic Street
San Diego, CA 92154

Remote Office Hours: Monday - Friday  (8:00am to 5:00pm) - Days/Times are subject to change.
Phone: (619) 482-6462
Driving directions to Otay Mesa HEC  

Mission Statement

“The Basic Police Academy Training program strives to prepare students mentally, morally and physically to advance into a field training program, assume the responsibilities and execute the duties of a peace officer in society. The Mission of the academy is to provide training and testing that ensures each student graduates with the demonstrated character, knowledge, problem-solving abilities, human relations, communication and physical skills necessary to meet the professional standards required of a peace officer.”

About Us

If you have considered becoming a peace officer, you realize how competitive the process is.  Generally, from each one hundred people without experience, who test, only about five are ever hired as peace officers.  Many Smaller Agencies do not hire people without prior training or law enforcement experience.

The Southwestern College Police Academy offers the opportunity to train part-time, so education is gained and you, as a peace office candidate, will qualify as a “lateral entry” candidate with the basic academy certificate.  The Southwestern College Police Academy is fully sanctioned by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) California.

Description from Catalog

The Police Academy is a Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Certificated Training Academy for California law enforcement.  It meets the basic requirement for employment as a municipal, county and state law enforcement officer.  State law requires completion of a POST-Certified Basic Course for lateral-entry level employment in law enforcement.  The Police Academy is made up of two phases (two semesters), which requires 10-1/2 months to complete.  (AJ 41– Police Academy I = 12.5 Units and AJ 42 – Police Academy II = 12.5 Units)

Schedule

• Evening program, class meet Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 1800-2200, plus Saturdays 0800-1700
• Prerequisites to apply for AJ 41-Police Academy I: High School Diploma/GED, No Felony Convictions, Valid CA Driver License, College GPA 2.0 or higher,  meet eligibility for English 114, Reading 158 or Proficiency, Math 35 
• Prerequisite to apply for AJ 42; completion of AJ 41-Police Academy I, before enrolling in AJ 42-Police Academy II)

Cost

Estimated Cost for 10-1/2 months of training: $4,500 to $5,000

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Law Enforcement Training Academy

GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.