The Academy

The Academy is a full-time, 928-hour intensive course that satisfies the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) minimum training requirements for California entry-level peace officers. The course typically meets Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., is approximately six months in duration, and is designed for recruits who can dedicate their full time, attention, and efforts towards completing the program. The full-time Intensive Academy requires a strong commitment by the recruits and their families. Upon completion, the recruit will be prepared to begin the Field Training Program. 

The Basic Police Academy course includes fundamental principles, procedures, and techniques of law enforcement, including: Criminal Law, Patrol Procedures, Cultural Diversity, Investigative Procedures, Report Writing, Defensive Tactics, Firearms, Leadership, Ethics, Community Policing, Police Vehicle Operations, Traffic Enforcement, Accident Investigation, Handling Emotional Situations, and First Aid/CPR. The course also includes a challenging physical conditioning requirement that will prepare the recruit for police service. 

Field Training Program

The purpose of the Field Training Program is to train new officers so that each is prepared to function as a solo beat officer at the conclusion of their training cycle. 

The training cycle consists of 20 weeks of intensive on-the-job training and daily performance evaluations. Training is conducted and staffed by field training officers and sergeants on a 24-hour basis. Field training officers have the dual responsibility of providing police service in their assigned beats, as well as conducting training and evaluations for new officers. 

Field training sergeants are responsible for the supervision of all personnel assigned to their teams and for coordinating and supervising the on-the-job training of recruit officers. 

Officers are required to meet specific standards in 31 performance categories before being certified for solo patrol duty. After completion of the Field Training Program, each officer is assigned to a patrol team. During this time, the officer is evaluated monthly by their patrol sergeant. As the officers near the completion of their probationary period,

each will take part in an end of probation interview panel with the department’s Executive Staff. Officers who have performed at an acceptable level and pass their probationary period are recommended for retention as permanent employees