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:
- Complete a basic recruit training program for Law Enforcement Officers.
- Be certified in the State of Florida as a Correctional Officer and Complete a Crossover program from Corrections to Law Enforcement.
- 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:
- Complete the appropriate training program.
- Pass the Florida State Certification Examination.
- Be employed or appointed as a Law Enforcement Officer by a certified Agency.
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.
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. You must provide a copy of your results. Each class has a registration period. Information provided under each class for those dates.
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.
- 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 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.
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 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.
167th Law Enforcement Class
Class Start/End Date August 22, 2022 – January 24, 2023
Applications Available (Online) June 20, 2022 – July 15, 2022
Deadline to Return Application July 15, 2022
P.A.T. No Open Enrollment accepted
Oral Board No Open Enrollment accepted
Orientation August 15, 2022 10:00 AM
166th Law Enforcement Class
Class Start/End Date May 9th, 2022 – September 27, 2022
Applications Available (Online) January 10th, 2022 – April 1st, 2022
Deadline to Return Application April 1st, 2022
P.A.T. April 5th, 2022
Oral Board April 12th, 2022
Orientation May 2nd, 2022 10:00 AM
87th CrossOver CO to LE Class
Class Start/End Date August 22, 2022 – January 24, 2023
Applications Available (Online) June 20, 2022 – July 15, 2022
Deadline to Return Application July 15, 2022
P.A.T. August 2, 2022
Oral Board August 9, 2022
Orientation August 15, 2022 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.
Basic Recruit
Courses
165 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: Feb 22, 2022 - Jul 12, 2022
Registration Dates: Nov 19, 2021 - Jan 7, 2022
Times: 700, 0800, 1300, 0900, , 0700, 800
Classrooms: 13-009, Driving Range, Range, , DT Room, PT Area
Instructors: , Brian Jones, Rebecca Long, Scott Lineberger, Paul Blanchard, Raymond Beiner, Erica Rich, Robert Vishion, Ronald Glad, Angela Leavens, Andrew Satterlee, Roman Serrano, Robert Vishion, Dennis Eads
166 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 9, 2022 - Sep 26, 2022
Registration Dates: Jan 10, 2022 - Apr 1, 2022
Times: 1300, 0800, 0700, 700, 0900,
Classrooms: Range, 13-009, Driving Range, DT Room, , PT Area
Instructors: Scott Lineberger, Rebecca Long, , Paul Blanchard, Brian Jones, Paul Blanchard, Raymond Beiner, Robert Vishion, Ronald Glad, Angela Leavens, Erica Rich, Andrew Satterlee, Roman Serrano, Robert Vishion, Dennis Eads
167 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: Aug 22, 2022 - Jan 24, 2023
Registration Dates: Jun 20, 2022 - Aug 5, 2022
Times: 0900, 700, 0800, 1300,
Classrooms: 13-009, PT Area, Driving Range, DT Room, Range, OFF,
Instructors: Paul Blanchard, Dennis Eads, Raymond Beiner, Rebecca Long, Brian Jones, Erica Rich, Scott Lineberger, , Robert Vishion, Robert Vishion, Ronald Glad, Angela Leavens, Andrew Satterlee, Roman Serrano
Corrections Officer to Law Enforcement Crossover
Courses
86th CO to LE Crossover
This course is a Crossover program for Correctional Officers to Crossover to the Law Enforcement discipline.
Course Type: Law Enforcement
Class Dates: Feb 22, 2022 - Jul 12, 2022
Registration Dates: Nov 19, 2021 - Jan 7, 2022
Times: 0800, , 0900, 700, 1300, 1200, 0700
Classrooms: 13-009, OFF, Driving Range,
Instructors: Paul Blanchard, , Raymond Beiner, Rebecca Long, Erica Rich, Brian Jones, Robert Vishion, Ronald Glad, Angela Leavens, Andrew Satterlee, Roman Serrano, Kurt Graf
87th CO to LE Crossover
This course is a Crossover program for Correctional Officers to Crossover to the Law Enforcement discipline.
Course Type: Law Enforcement
Class Dates: Aug 22, 2022 - Jan 24, 2023
Registration Dates: Jun 20, 2022 - Aug 5, 2022
Times: 0700, 0900, 700, 0800, 1300,
Classrooms: 13-009, Driving Range, OFF
Instructors:
Course Fee :
In State – $3,535.40
Out of State – $10,971.45
(All course fees must be paid by check, money order or credit card. Cash will not be accepted.)
Apply Now
Quick Info
- Course Number : 18 Courses
- 770 hours
- Affordable Course Fee : $3,535.40
- Instructor : Erica Rich
Contact Info :
Erica Rich
Law Enforcement Program Coordinator
EricaLR@LeeSchools.net
Cassandra Wallace
Assistant to the Law Enforcement Coordinator
CassandraSH@leeschools.net