Florida Law Enforcement Academy
Important Program Enrollment Information
We will be offering enrollment into the Basic Law Enforcement Academy in the following months.
*February class/ will include a Crossover Corrections to LE
*May class (will accept OPEN ENROLL APPLICANTS)
*August class/ will include a Crossover Corrections to LE
*November class (will accept OPEN ENROLL APPLICANTS)
This schedule will continue on this rotation until further notice
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 Officer, sponsored by an agency, which means you have been through the hiring process with an agency-they pay your tuition.
- Complete a basic recruit training program for Law Enforcement Officer, as a self sponsored student, which means you apply with the academy and go through our admissions process-you pay your own tuition.
- Be a certified Law Enforcement Officer in a state 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 after completing one of the above you must:
- Pass the Florida State Officer Certification Examination.
- Be employed by 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 ever been convicted of any felony.
- Not have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor specifically involving perjury or false statement related.
- Not have a dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States.
- Have been fingerprinted by the employing agency with prints processed by the FDLE and the FBI.
- Have good moral character.
- Completed an Affidavit of Applicant form CJSTC-68.
- 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.
- Comply with mandatory retraining for continuing training or education requirements.
Additional Requirements for Entrance into the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy Self enrolled
- Meet the minimum academy qualifications (including a PAT).
- Has successfully passed the CJBAT LE, this requirement is WAIVED if you have a College Degree (Associates or higher) OR have a DD-214 showing HONORABLE discharge.
- Have a VALID Florida Driver’s License. No DL suspension within the last 3 years.
- Have not had any excessive traffic citations. Three or more 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
- Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement
- No misdemeanor convictions of any kind in the last 5 years
- No DUI conviction in the last 5 years
- Drug Free Minimum 1-5 years prior, depending on substance use.
- Marijuana 12 months, from time of application
- All other substances 5 years, from time of application
- Not have used, possessed or cultivated any illegal controlled substance within the past 3-5 years, depending on substance (refer to above substances)
- No LSD/Methamphetamine, MDMA(Ecstasy), psilocybin mushrooms use at any time
- No history of drug sales.
Get Started :
Step 1: Achieve a passing score on the CJBAT test for Law Enforcement Officers
CJBAT contact and information on testing centers for this exam can be found on the top banner on this website.
Step 2: Application
When CJBAT is passed, you are eligible for an application. 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. Under the LE Documents tab, locate the “Pre-application checklist”. If you meet all criteria, continue with the application packet access.
***For any open enroll applicants for any program, DO NOT schedule your Fingerprints, Drug Screening, Polygraph test until you have been notified that you can proceed to that step after the initial review of your application packet. You will be contacted by either LE Coordinator Erica Rich or Program Assistant Cassie Wallace.
Step 3: Submit the application packet
- Application packets are available online. Applicants must have application completed with all required paperwork and forms (from links/checklist in the LE Documents tab).
- Physician Visit (set up with your choice physician) to complete the 75 Form to submit.
- After packet submission, with all necessary tasks completed noted above, it will be reviewed by Coordinator’s office for approval to move onto the next steps of scheduling the below.
- ***For any open enroll applicants for any program, DO NOT schedule your Fingerprints, Drug Screening, Polygraph test until you have been notified that you can proceed to that step after the initial review of your application packet. You will be contacted by either LE Coordinator Erica Rich or Program Assistant Cassie Wallace.
Step 4: P.A.T.(physical Agility Test)
You will complete the P.A.T. on the stated date if all other steps have been successful.
- Physical Agility Test $25.00 (cash, credit card, money order).
After passing the P.A.T. you will be able to schedule the last needed appointments
appointments needed and their approximate cost:
- Fingerprints $48.00 – subject to change(Credit Card only)
- Drug Screen $35.00
- Polygraph exam (call for current cost)
Step 5: Oral Boards
- After final review of all appointment results and application, successful applicants will be notified of their time for interviews.
- Please note, there are no guaranteed open seats for self sponsored applicants, you will be notified after completing your interview if you are admitted into the program.
Step 6: Orientation for accepted applicants
If accepted for a seat in the academy class, 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 four gym shorts included in your tuition. Any additional items may be purchased at a later time in class.
Final Step: First day of class
UPCOMING Law Enforcement Basic Recruit CLASSES:
178th Law Enforcement Class- * OPEN ENROLL APPLICATIONS Accepted
Class Start/End Date June 2, 2025 – October 31 , 2025
Applications Available (Online) March 5, 2025 – May 1, 2025
Deadline for Application packet 3:00pm April 25, 2025(open enroll) May 1, 2025(agency)
P.A.T.(open enroll applicants) Thursday May 8 , 2025 9:00AM
Oral Board (open enroll applicants) Friday, May 9, 2025 (Time TBD)
Orientation Monday May 19, 2025 10:00AM
***All times are subject to change**
179th Law Enforcement Class- * NO OPEN ENROLL
Class Start/End Date August 18, 2025 – February 22 , 2025
Applications Available (Online) June 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025
Deadline for Application packet 3:00pm July 31, 2025
P.A.T. N/A
Oral Board : N/A
Orientation August 4, 2025 10:00AM
***All times are subject to change**
93rd CrossOver CO to LE Class
Class Start/End August 18, 2025 – February 22, 2026
Applications Available (Online) June 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025
Deadline to Return Application 3:00pm July 31, 2025
P.A.T. N/A
Oral Board Thursday July 31, 2025(open enrollment)
Orientation August 4, 2025 10:00 AM
***All times are subject to change**
Course Fee :
In State – $3,947.40
Out of State – $10,715.70
(All course fees must be paid by credit/debit card or money order. Cash will not be accepted.)
Apply Now
Quick Info
- Course Number : 18 Courses
- 770 hours
- Affordable Course Fee : $3,947.40
- 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
Mission Statement:
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
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.
