The Southwest Florida Public Service Academy

There are four ways one can become a certified Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Florida:

1. Complete a basic recruit training program for Law Enforcement Officers

2. Be certified in the State of Florida as a Correctional Officer and Complete a Crossover program from Corrections to Law Enforcement.

3. Be certified in the State of Florida as a Correctional Probation Officer and Complete a Crossover program from Correctional Probation to Law Enforcement.

4. Be a certified Law Enforcement Officer in the United States and apply for the Equivalency of Training (EoT) program.

In order to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a Law Enforcement Officer one must:

1. Complete the appropriate training program

2. Pass the Florida State Certification Examination

3. Be employed or appointed as a Law Enforcement Officer by a certified Agency

Mission

 The mission of the Criminal Justice Academy is to train Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers in accordance with the rules, regulations, and curriculum of the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission; to teach in a disciplined and dynamic training environment; and to deliver the curriculum  through an innovative, experienced, enthusiastic, respected, and well supported instructional staff.

 Philosophy

 Â· A disciplined learning environment is required in order to better simulate the demeanor necessary to be effective on the job

· Failure to train and failure to learn are failures that cost lives

· We teach as if lives depend on us because they do

· We keep our training meaningful and relevant

Minimum requirements for employment as a Law Enforcement Officer

Be at least 19 years of age

Be a citizen of the United States

Be a high school graduate or equivalent

Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement

Not have a dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States

Achieve a passing score on the CJBAT Test for LAW ENFORCEMENT

Have been fingerprinted by the employing agency with prints processed by the FDLE and the FBI

Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician

Have good moral character

Completed an Affidavit of Applicant form CJSTC-68

Successfully passed a background investigation to include drug testing

Successfully completed one of the Law Enforcement Officer Basic Recruit, Crossover, or EOT training programs

Achieve a passing score on the State Officer Certification Examination

Complied with mandatory retraining for continuing training or education requirements

Check the Schedule for a list of class dates and times

Click here to contact Mr. Flahive, the Law Enforcement Coordinator