Law Enforcement Center
Law Enforcement Training Center
BASIC ACADEMY
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to attend the academy. How do I start the process?
Is there financial aid available?
What if I have problems with my background?
What are the physical requirements of the Academy?
What kind of handgun is allowed at the academy?
Can I use books that I got from a friend who attended a previous academy?
I want to attend the academy. How do I start the process?
The first step is to take the Pre-Entry test, a test of basic literacy that will determine your readiness for the studying and testing that will be required. The test is similar to the English assessment that you may have taken upon entering college but it is NOT the same. You will have three hours to take the test. There is no cost to take the test. You may retake the test at any time.
Once you have received a passing score on the test, we will send you the application forms. You will need to obtain a medical clearance from your doctor as well as provide proof of firearms clearance through the Department of Justice.Â
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There is no maximum age to attend the academy. Your overall fitness will determine the likelihood of your being hired by a law enforcement agency which is the ultimate goal of attending the Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
The minimum age to attend the academy is 18. However, while we will not prohibit someone of that age from attending, and State statute allows the hiring of those over 18, general practice for California agencies is to hire after the age of 21.Â
Any officer with a break in service of more than three years would be required to attend a Recertification Academy (not offered at the College of the Redwoods). Similarly, if too much time passes between the completion of the academy and agency employment, your chance of hiring would diminish and you would need to attend Recertification after three years. Consequently, we encourage you to consider waiting until you are closer to hiring age before attending the Basic Academy.: top of page
Is there financial aid available?
Because the Basic Academy is a college course, college financial aid is available to those who qualify. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application  for Federal Student Aid) through the CR Financial Aid website then contact the Financial Aid office to follow up.
Also, if you are a veteran of the armed forces, there may be additional benefits available to you. Contact the College of the Redwoods Veteran’s office. top of page
What if I have problems with my background?
POST has standards for the hiring of peace officers in the State of California (refer to section -1031(f)
Further and specific restrictions on drug use or criminal activity vary from agency to agency. While some issues would require a waiting period, others may eliminate you from consideration by all agencies. If you have such an issue in your background, you should call the Academy office and discuss the issue with Ron Waters, Academy Coordinator. You might also contact the background investigator at an agency that interests you. Be honest about your past and request an evaluation of you chances for hire, based on their standards.top of page
This is a full-time course, 40- to 50-hour-per-week course. There are occasional short weeks or days but plan on being here full time unless the schedule says otherwise.Â
What are the physical requirements of the Academy?
Students must take and pass the POST Work Sample Test Battery after completing the physical conditioning program, but before academy graduation. Academies may have a substitute test, or they may have additional tests that students must pass before graduation. The Work Sample Test Battery includes these five events:
OBSTACLE COURSE
Run a 99-yard obstacle course consisting of several sharp turns, a number of curb-height obstacles, and a 34-inch high obstacle that must be vaulted
BODY DRAG
Lift and drag a 165-pound lifelike dummy 32-feet
CHAIN LINK FENCE
Run 5 yards to a 6-foot chain link fence, climb over fence, continue running another 25 yards
SOLID FENCE CLIMB
Run 5 yards to a 6 foot solid fence, climb over fence, continue running another 25 yards
500-YARD RUN
Run 500 yards
Each of the five events is timed. Student performance times are converted to points and summed. Students must accumulate a total score of 384 points to pass.
It is strongly recommended that, if not already doing so, you begin a program of daily fitness. You will begin the Lifetime Fitness portion of the academy in Week Two and on the first day will be required to run 1.5 miles and do as many crunches and pushups as you can. This will be less difficult if you begin a fitness program prior to starting the Academy. top of page
What kind of handgun is allowed at the academy?
- No revolvers permitted
- Weapons must be of a caliber .9mm or greater
- No single-action semiautomatics allowed
- All double-action semi-automatics that have a single action mode, must have a decocking lever top of page
Can I use books that I got from a friend who attended a previous academy?
Yes, as long as they are the current version. You can refer to this list on the POST website for current versions being used. Compare your books to the list to be sure all books are current. If any have been revised, you can order just those issues from the printer.Â
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PAGE LAST UPDATED: 2-8-11