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

Additional Requirements for Entrance into the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy Self enrolled

• Complete a CJBAT or FBAT. (BAT).
• Meet the minimum qualifications (including a PAT).
• Minimum requirements and steps to attend the Law Enforcement Basic Academy
  • 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 ever have been convicted of any felony.
  • Not ever have been convicted 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.  You must provide a copy of your results. Each class has a registration period. Information provided under each class for those dates. After confirming your eligibility with the pre-application checklist, you will be given further information on where and how to obtain fingerprints/drug screen.

Step 3: Submit the application packet

• Application packets are available 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. Examples of cost:
• Fingerprints $48.00 – subject to change(Credit Card only)
• Drug Screen $35.00

Step 4: P.A.T.(physical Agility Test) and Interview

You will complete the P.A.T. on the stated date.

• Physical Agility Test $25.00 (cash, credit card, money order).

After passing the P.A.T. you will be advised of the date and time of your Interview.  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 informed of uniform and boot order requirements/vendors to complete on your own prior to start of Academy. Orientation dates are found below under the specified class you are accepted to, tuition payment needs to be completed.

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

• 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.

 

169th  Law Enforcement Class (Agency Sponsored students ONLY)

Class Start/End Date                              March 13, 2023 – July 31, 2023

Applications Available (Online)           January 2, 2023 – February 9, 2023

Deadline to Return Application           February 10, 2023

P.A.T.                                                          No Open Enrollment accepted

Oral Board                                                No Open Enrollment accepted

Orientation                                               March 6, 2023 10:00 AM

 

170th Law Enforcement Class

Class Start/End Date                              May 22, 2023 –  October 6, 2023

Applications Available (Online)          February 20, 2023 – April 14, 2023

Deadline to Return Application           April 14, 2023

P.A.T.                                                          April 24, 2023

Oral Board                                                May 2, 2023

Orientation                                               May 15, 2023 10:00 AM

88th  CrossOver CO to LE Class

Class Start/End Date                              March 13, 2023 – June 26, 2023

Applications Available (Online)           January 2, 2023 – February 9, 2023

Deadline to Return Application           February 10, 2023

P.A.T.                                                         N/A

Oral Board                                                February 21, 2023 (open enrollment)

Orientation                                               March 6, 2023 10:00 AM

 

 

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 Erica Rich, Law Enforcement Program Coordinator or her Assistant Ms. Wallace.

Courses

168 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: Nov 14, 2022 - Apr 20, 2023

Registration Dates: Aug 1, 2022 - Oct 10, 2022

Times: 0800, 1300, 0700, 0900,

Classrooms: 4-002, Range, PT Area, 13-009, OFF, DT Room, Driving Range

Instructors: Ronald Glad, Robert Vishion, Scott Lineberger, Dennis Eads, Raymond Beiner, Paul Blanchard, , Rebecca Long, Erica Rich, Robert Vishion, Brian Jones, Daniel Kennedy, Andrew Satterlee, Angela Leavens, Roman Serrano

View Schedule

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169 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: Mar 13, 2023 - Aug 3, 2023

Registration Dates: Jan 2, 2023 - Feb 9, 2023

Times: 0700, 0800, 0900, , 1300

Classrooms: 13-009, OFF, Driving Range, Range, DT Room, PT Area,

Instructors: Raymond Beiner, Rebecca Long, Robert Vishion, Paul Blanchard, Angela Leavens, Robert Vishion, Ronald Glad, Andrew Satterlee, Roman Serrano, , Brian Jones, Scott Lineberger, Erica Rich, Dennis Eads

View Schedule

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170 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: May 22, 2023 - Oct 9, 2023

Registration Dates: Feb 20, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023

Times: 0700, 0800, 0900, , 1300

Classrooms: , 4-002, PT Area, Driving Range, DT Room, Range

Instructors: Dennis Eads, Raymond Beiner, Paul Blanchard, , Rebecca Long, Brian Jones, Robert Vishion, Erica Rich, Ronald Glad, Angela Leavens, Scott Lineberger, Andrew Satterlee, Roman Serrano, Robert Vishion

View Schedule

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Courses

88 Crossover CO to LE

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: CO to LE Crossover

Class Dates: Mar 13, 2023 - Jul 3, 2023

Registration Dates: Jan 2, 2023 - Feb 9, 2023

Times: 0900, 0700, 0800, , 1300

Classrooms: 13-009, OFF, Driving Range,

Instructors: Paul Blanchard, Raymond Beiner, , Rebecca Long, Robert Vishion, Robert Vishion, Ronald Glad, Angela Leavens, Andrew Satterlee, Roman Serrano, Brian Jones, Erica Rich

View Schedule

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