Florida Law Enforcement Academy
Important Program Enrollment Information
We are excited to announce that starting is 2022 we will be offering enrollment into the Basic Law Enforcement Academy in the following months
*February/ will include a Crossover Corrections to LE (No OPEN enrollments for Law Enforcement, Agency students ONLY)
*May/ OPEN enrollments applicants may apply for this class
*August/ will include a Crossover Corrections to LE (No OPEN enrollments for Law Enforcement, Agency students ONLY)
*November/ OPEN enrollment applicants may apply for this class
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 Officers; either sponsored by an agency, or self sponsored.
- Be a Florida certified Correctional Officer and Complete a Crossover basic recruit program.
- 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:
- Pass the Florida State Officer 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.
- Not have been convicted 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 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
- Not have used, possessed or cultivated any illegal controlled substance within the past 5 years; exceptions noted below:
- No Marijuana 3 years
- No LSD/Methamphetamine ever.
- No history of drug sales
Get Started :
Step 1: Achieve a passing score on the CJBAT test for Law Enforcement Officers
Additional information regarding testing centers for this exam can be found in “LE Documents” 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.*** * Confirm your eligibility with the pre-application checklist. If eligible, complete the application packet fully.
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, and polygraph exam is paid directly to company. Examples of cost:
- Fingerprints $48.00 – subject to change(Credit Card only)
- Drug Screen $35.00
- Polygraph exam (call for current cost)
- Physician Visit (set up with your choice physician)
- For any open enroll applicants for any program, DO NOT schedule your Fingerprints or Polygraph test until you have spoken to Erica Rich, Law Enforcement Program Coordinator or her Assistant Ms. Wallace.
- After packet submission, with all necessary tasks completed noted above, it will be reviewed by Coordinator’s office for approval to move on to the next step.
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.
- Please note, there are no guaranteed open seats for self sponsored applicants.
Step 5: 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 the Academy for the following:
- T-Shirt $8.00
- Shorts $12.00
- Hat $ 11.00
- Sweatshirt $ 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.
UPCOMING Law Enforcement Basic Recruit CLASSES:
173rd Law Enforcement Class (Agency Sponsored students ONLY)
Class Start/End Date February 20, 2024 – July 9, 2024
Applications Available (Online) No Open Enrollment accepted
Deadline to Return Application January 29, 2024
P.A.T. No Open Enrollment accepted
Oral Board No Open Enrollment accepted
Orientation February 5, 2024 10:00 AM
174th Law Enforcement Class
Class Start/End Date May 20, 2024 – October 20, 2024
Applications Available (Online) March 1, 2024 – April 29, 2024
Deadline to Return Application April 29, 2024
P.A.T. May 1, 2024
Oral Board May 2, 2024
Orientation May 6, 2024 10:00AM
90th CrossOver CO to LE Class
Class Start/End Date February 20, 2024– July 9, 2024
Applications Available (Online) December 1, 2023 – January 29, 2024
Deadline to Return Application January 29, 2024
P.A.T. N/A
Oral Board February 1, 2024(open enrollment)
Orientation February 5, 2024 10:00 AM
Course Fee :
In State – $3,820.40
Out of State – $10,588.70
(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 : $3,595.40
- 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.
