Basic P.O.S.T. Academy

Picture of the front of the Law Enforcement Training Center

The Basic Academy is a fully functional law enforcement training facility. As well as the main academy building in Pittsburg CA, the academy is comprised of a firing range, driving range, and off site “simulated ammunitions” enclosed dwellings.

The California Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training certifies the Basic Academy. It is required for those individuals seeking a position as a full time peace officer in California.

ACADEMY OVERVIEW

Picture of classroom at the Academy The Basic Academy is a 26-week law enforcement academy. The academy is para-military and highly disciplined. The recruits that are accepted into the academy are either hired by a law enforcement agency or selected as a “non-affiliated recruit” or student. A non-affiliated recruit is chosen by the academy staff based in their written test score, physical test score, results of a background investigation, and an oral interview.

Once accepted into the Basic Academy, recruits are expected to perform at the cadet's in a class room training exercise standards set by the academy staff. Recruits are given written exams on 42 learning domains throughout the 26 weeks. The learning domains cover subjects ranging from California Laws to ethics and community relations. Any score below an 80% on these exams is considered a failing grade. The recruits are required to pass all of the written exams. Highly trained members of law enforcement from around the Bay area teach the tested material to the recruits. The instructors are experts in their field of instruction and offer on the job experience coupled with specialized training in that field. The instruction techniques range from lecture to roll playing, to hands-on.

The academy recruits are required to participate in a rigorous physical fitness program picture of cadet is a training run that pushes them to improve and then maintain their physical and mental fitness throughout their law enforcement careers. A typical physical fitness session will consist of a warm up, push-ups, crunches, field exercises, pull-ups, and a 2-5 mile run. The academy has a “state of the art” fitness center that rivals most commercial fitness centers. In order to graduate from the academy, the recruits are required to pass a battery of physical tests such as; a dummy drag, obstacle course, 1.5 mile run, and scale a 6ft wall.

As well as mental and physical tests, the recruits will be expected to master the technical skills of firearms operation, defensive tactics, and emergency vehicle operation (EVOC). An experienced staff of firearms instructors educates the recruits on picture of cadets in training manipulation, safety practices, and the firing of handguns and shotguns. The recruits endure approximately 120 hours of hands on firearms training and are ultimately required to pass numerous handgun and shotgun courses. A team of defensive tactics instructor’s train the recruits in the art of control holds, handcuffing techniques, gun take away and retention and baton strikes. The instruction is physically demanding and requires the recruits to master each technique and physically demonstrate it during a test. At the Basic Academy’s driving course, the recruits will learn the safe operation of an emergency vehicle. They will be tested on a timed driving course and required to perform a “pursuit” scenario.

Picture of cadets in training At the end of the 26 weeks, provided the recruit has met all of the standards and passed all of the required tests, the recruit will graduate from the Basic Academy with a certificate of completion. The certificate is certified by POST and states that the recruit has successfully completed the training mandated and performance objectives required by the California Commission. Through the partnership of the Contra Costa Office of the Sheriff and Los Medanos College, each recruit will also earn 24 semester units of college credits. Once a recruit has graduated from the Basic Academy, he or she is eligible for employment as a peace officer in most California jurisdictions

The Basic Academy at the Contra Costa County Law Enforcement Training Center prides itself on being one of the finest academies in the state. By employing the finest instructors, utilizing state of the art facilities and an absolute commitment to the success of the recruits; The Contra Costa County Law Enforcement Training Center graduates law enforcement professionals that are second to none!

Cost: The cost of the Basic Police Academy is approximately $3,400.00**, which includes college registration and all associated training and material fees, including the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course***

Scholarships/Financial Aid are available.

Bay Alarm Company will provide LETC Non-Affiliated Recruits (those not currently employed by an Agency) with scholarship funds, offsetting the cost of the Basic Academy.

For more information regarding scholarships, please call the Academy at
(925) 427-8238.

www.bayalarm.com

Accreditation: Graduates earn college credit from Los Medanos College and receive P.O.S.T. certification.

Registration: To apply for the Basic Academy, students must complete and pass the P.O.S.T. certified reading and writing comprehension test. This test is offered free of charge. To make an appointment to take this test, call 1-877-4-DEPUTY.

Location: The Basic Academy meets at the Law Enforcement Training Center at 340 Marina Boulevard, Pittsburg. Firearms, field tactics, and driver training are held at off campus sites.

Schedule may vary and location subject to change
**additional $500 (approx.) for uniforms
***EVOC fee may be reimbursed by P.O.S.T. for affiliated students

For more information: on the Basic P.O.S.T. Academy call 925-427-8238

Future Academy Dates

159th Basic Academy
Starts: February 5, 2007 - July 27, 2007
Graduation: July 27, 2007

160th Basic Academy
Starts: July 16, 2007 - January 11, 2008

161st Basic Academy
Starts: January 7, 2008 - June 26, 2008
Orientation Day: Tuesday, December 18th, 2007

162nd Basic Academy
Starts: June 30, 2008 - December 29, 2008
Orientation Day: Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008