Florida Law Enforcement Academy

The Law Enforcement Division of the Southwest Florida Criminal Justice Academy is responsible for delivering the Law Enforcement Basic Recruit, Auxiliary, Equivalency of Training (EoT), and Crossover from Corrections to Law Enforcement programs.

There are three 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 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.

Minimum requirements for employment as a Law Enforcement Officer

1. Be at least 19 years of age.
2. Be a citizen of the United States.
3. Be a high school graduate or equivalent.
4. Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement.
5. Not have a dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States.
6. Achieve a passing score on the CJBAT Test for Law Enforcement.
7. Have been fingerprinted by the employing agency with prints processed by the FDLE and the FBI.
8. Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician.
9. Have good moral character.
10. Completed an Affidavit of Applicant form CJSTC-68.
11. Successfully passed a background investigation to include drug testing.
12. Successfully completed one of the Law Enforcement Officer Basic Recruit, Crossover, or EOT training programs.
13. Achieve a passing score on the State Officer Certification Examination.
14. Complied with mandatory retraining for continuing training or education requirements.

Additional Requirements for Entrance into the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy

• Complete a CJBAT or FBAT. (BAT).
• Meet the minimum qualifications (including a PAT).
• Minimum requirements and steps to attend the Law Enforcement Basic Academy
  • Be minimum 19 years of age.
  • Be a citizen of the United States.
  • Be a high school graduate or equivalent.
  • Have a Florida Driver’s License.  With no DL suspension within the last 3 years.
  • Have not had any excessive traffic citations.  Three in the last two years.
  • Not have a dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States.
  • Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement.
  • No misdemeanor convictions in the last 5 years.
  • No DUI conviction in the last 5 years.
  • Drug Free Minimum 3-5 years prior, depending on substance use.
  • Not have used, possessed or cultivated any illegal controlled substance within the past 5 years.
  • (Marijuana 3 years) No history of drug sales.
  • No LSD./Methamphetamine use at any time.

Get Started :

Step 1: Achieve a passing score on the CJBAT test for Law Enforcement Officers

Additional information regarding this exam can be found on website.

Step 2: Application

You are eligible for an application when CJBAT is passed. This will be verified by an Academy Staff member. If you did not take the exam with the academy, you must provide a copy of your results. Each class has a registration period. Information provided on the back of this page for those dates. You may pick one up (walk-in) no appointment necessary.

Step 3: Submit the application packet

• Application packets will be available in the office and online. Applicants must have application completed with all required paperwork (from checklist). Fingerprints and Drug Screen can be paid online however, the P.A.T. will have to be paid at the Academy.
• Fingerprints $48.00 – subject to change(Credit Card only)
• Drug Screen $35.00
• Physical Agility Test $25.00 (cash, credit card, money order).

Step 4: Interview after passing the PAT

You will be advised of the date and time of your Interview after the deadline for applicants to apply. Your interview results will be given within 48hrs.

Step 5: Orientation for accepted applicants

Congratulations you are one step closer to starting your future. You will be measured for uniforms and a full payment of $175.00 is due at this time. Boots can also be purchased. Payment is accepted in Cash, Credit/Debit Card, or Money Order to be made payable to “Hamilton Uniforms LLC.” www.hamiltonuniforms.com.

The Academy will provide your physical training (PT) gear which includes four t-shirts and two gym shorts. Any additional items may be purchased at the Academy.

• T-Shirt $6.00
• Shorts $9.00
• Hat $ 7.00
• Jackets $ 21.00
• Sweats set $25.00
• Mouth Piece $1.00

Step 6: First day of class

Welcome! This day will be the first of many great experiences.

160^th Law Enforcement Class

Class Start/End Date                              Septeber 8th, 2020 – February, 2021

Applications Available (Online)           July 15th, 2020 – July 31st, 2020

Deadline to Return Application           August 3rd, 2020

P.A.T.                                                          August 10th, 2020

Oral Board                                                August 12th, 2020

Orientation                                               September 2nd, 2020 at 10:00am

Due to the increase in agency applications, it is recommended that you DO NOT schedule your Fingerprints or Polygraph test until you have spoken to Kurt Graf, Law Enforcement Program Coordinator or his Assistant Ms. Bell

Courses

160th Basic Law Enforcement Class

To successfully complete this basic recruit training program, recruits must achieve a passing score on each of the written end-of-course examinations. Recruits must also demonstrate proficiency skills in the DUI Traffic Stops course and in the High Liability courses (Vehicle Operations, First Aid, Firearms, and Defensive Tactics) and participate in the CJSTC Fitness Program. See Rules 11B-35.001 and 11B-35.0024, FAC (IN028.1).

Course Type: Law Enforcement

Class Dates: Sep 8 - Feb 11

Registration Dates: Feb 2 - Mar 8

Times: 700, 800, 0700, 0800, 0900, 1300, 900, 1000, 1700

Classrooms: PT Area, 13-009, 4-004, RANGE, Airport, DT Room, TBA

Instructors: , Robert Vishion, Angela Leavens, Raymond Beiner, Billy McGuire, Rafael Rodrigo, Rosemary Arway, Dennis Eads, Erica Rich, Antonio Ramos, Mike Peak, Brian Jones, Francine Donnorummo, Michael-Anthony Pica, Audra Thomas-Eth, Chris Cummins, Jennifer Gutmore, Heather Fly, Connie Seranno, Abe Thornburg, Paul Blanchard, Paul Oler, Andrew Satterlee, Roman Serrano, Kurt Graf

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161st Basic Law Enforcement Class

To successfully complete this basic recruit training program, recruits must achieve a passing score on each of the written end-of-course examinations. Recruits must also demonstrate proficiency skills in the DUI Traffic Stops course and in the High Liability courses (Vehicle Operations, First Aid, Firearms, and Defensive Tactics) and participate in the CJSTC Fitness Program. See Rules 11B-35.001 and 11B-35.0024, FAC (IN028.1).

Course Type: Law Enforcement

Class Dates: Jan 19 - Jun 8

Registration Dates: Sep 28 - Nov 13

Times: 800, 700, 0700, , 1300, 1000, 0800, 900

Classrooms: 4-004, PT Area, , Airport, RANGE, DT Room

Instructors: , Dennis Eads, Brian Jones, Mike Peak, Raymond Beiner, Audra Thomas-Eth, Paul Blanchard, Erica Rich, Billy McGuire, Rafael Rodrigo, Robert Vishion, Angela Leavens, Andrew Satterlee, Roman Serrano, Antonio Ramos

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Courses

84th CO to LE Cross-Over

This course is a Crossover program for Correctional Officers to Crossover to the Law Enforcement discipline.

Course Type: Law Enforcement

Class Dates: Nov 16 - Mar 11

Registration Dates: Sep 21 - Nov 2

Times: , 700, 800, 0700, 1300, 0800, 0900

Classrooms: , 4-002, Airport, 13-009

Instructors: , Roman Serrano, Andrew Satterlee, Robert Vishion, Angela Leavens, Erica Rich, Billy McGuire, Rafael Rodrigo, Rosemary Arway, Kurt Graf, Antonio Ramos, Brian Jones, Jennifer Gutmore, Jennifer Royal, Stephanie Russell, Abe Thornburg, Michael-Anthony Pica, Audra Thomas-Eth, Connie Seranno, Francine Donnorummo

View Schedule