Joining a Law Enforcement Academy

Law enforcement academies prepare studentseducation and investigation techniques. Some
for jobs in law enforcement. Careers thatacademies also offer courses in incident
incorporate these types of academies include:management and documentation, telephone
Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, State Troopers,procedures, and communication. Weapons handling
and Correctional Officers. Each academy isand self defense should also be taught.
different from the next one. Some academiesAn academy's cost and program structure should
offer basic training, others more intense training;also play a part in deciding on the right choice.
while others offer state-of-the-art technology andSome schools require a 16 week program, while
training. Each academy is unique to its location,others may only require a 12 week program.
classes, and length of program.Different academies may offer financing to help
Some of these academies include: the Federalcover education costs. Academies that are a part
Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA,of a community college may even offer some
Alabama Peace Officers Standards & Trainingtypes of grants or scholarships. Grants are given
Commission in Montgomery, AL, Arizona Lawby several organizations including: Office of Victims
Enforcement Academy in Phoenix, AZ, San Diegoof Crimes, Readiness and Emergency
Law Enforcement Training Center in San Diego,Management for Schools, Office of National Drug
CA, and Fingerlakes Law Enforcement AcademyControl Policy, Bureau of Justice Assistance,
in Canandaigua, NY. Each of these academiesFederal Bureau of Investigation, Department of
contributes to creating dedicated, well-educatedHomeland Security, and Children's Bureau, and
and professional officers.Divisions of Criminal Justice Services.
A thriving academy yields successful enforcementPotential students should visit several academies
officers. Potential officers should contact severalbefore making a final decision. He or she should
different academies to discover their curriculumkeep their career goals in mind when selecting the
and graduation rates. It would also be helpful toright academy. Students should find out the daily
obtain graduate employment statistics. Whenschedules and program operations. Speaking to
selecting a local academy, it may be possible tocounselors and instructors can give the potential
speak with local law enforcement officials to findstudent more insight on how he or she would fit
out which schools provide the best outcome.into campus life.
Curriculum should be a key deciding factor whenOnce education and training is completed, there is
choosing the right academy. Basic programsa great deal of Law Enforcement Work available
include law, patrol operations, traffic enforcementto those seeking employment.