Basic Police Academy

The Basic Police Academy Certificate of Achievement is a series of courses which, when combined, satisfy mandated training requirements for a California Basic Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Certificate of Completion. The program is POST-certified and prepares the student for work as a sworn law enforcement officer in the State of California.

Admission to the program is by special application (www2.palomar.edu/policeacademy). To be eligible for consideration, the applicant must (1) be free of felony conviction or conviction of a misdemeanor which prohibits possession of a firearm, (2) possess a valid driver’s license, (3) pass written, oral, and physical fitness examinations, (4) pass a medical examination, (5) be 18 years old (required by law to be age 21 for employment), and (6) pass a Department of Justice firearms clearance.

In addition to passing the required college examinations, the student must obtain passing scores on all POST Examinations, and all skills/lab portions within the Academy.

The Police Academy units may be applied toward the Administration of Justice Associate’s Degree requirements.

31 or more

Upon graduation from the Police Academy, the student will possess the following main competencies required to be a peace officer: 1. Knowledge of the component parts of the Criminal Justice System. 2. The knowledge, understanding and practical application of appropriate federal, state and local codes, laws, statutes, and ordinances. 3. The ability to properly handle and process a crime scene and to preserve and present evidence within an acceptable legal framework. 4. The ability to produce complete, accurate police reports as required by law and local agencies. 5. A knowledge of and ability to use appropriate weapons and/or force, including safety, moral, and legal considerations. 6. The ability to enforce appropriate traffic laws and perform patrol functions and activities. 7. The ability to operate a motor vehicle under enforcement conditions in a safe and proper manner. 8. A fitness proficiency and an awareness of a sound physical conditioning program. 9. The ability to apply basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 10. An understanding of diversity in the community and workplace. 11. The ability to demonstrate competency in the use of firearms and arrest and control techniques.

The Police Academy Program is being revised to reduce the total hours and units to align with degree requirements and be more consistent with others academies throughout the state.  The revised format will remove non-POST content but will offer certain coursework as separate AJ courses that will allow for enrollment by students who are not in the police academy program.  The COR, SLOs, and Objectives remain unchanged from the current version of the course..  The revisions also create a Police Academy Preparation course similar to the prep course for the Fire Academy program.  This new course incorporates additional training in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion topics, as well as provides training in foundational skills critical to success in the Police Academy program, to include strategic communication, report writing, and physical fitness preparation.