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POLICE ACADEMY

Protect & Serve

Join the select few who are answering the call to protect and serve their community by joining the Southwestern College Police Academy. Our qualified graduates are ready to serve their communities the moment they graduate, some even before, evident in Southwestern College alumnus Chris Lawerence, Chula Vista's Veteran of the Year, who graduated the Police Academy wearing Chula Vista Police Department uniform.

Learn More. Earn More.

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.

Program Description

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, 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)

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.”

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, College Placement Test: 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)