Jefferson College Expands Law Enforcement Academy Program

Building on the success of its Law Enforcement Academy, Jefferson College will begin an eight-month certificate program this fall certified by POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training), according to a news release from the college.

The new JCLEA POST class is open to those who already have a degree or possess general education prerequisites. The certificate program is designed to provide high quality training of law enforcement personnel, inspire professionalism in law enforcement officers, and provide civilian personnel the education to receive training prior to employment with a law enforcement agency.

Program applicants must be a United States citizen at least 20 years old and complete a background check, a physical assessment, an interview, and all college admissions requirements. Applications must be submitted by August 1.

“Prior to the POST only certificate being offered, there were a number of students who had to duplicate previous college classes as part of the academy curriculum. The new certificate option removes that duplication,” said Captain Diane Scanga, Law Enforcement Academy Director. “The POST only program maintains the standard, unique to the Jefferson College Law Enforcement Academy, that all graduates have, at a minimum, a two-year degree. The POST only Academy program is another way that Jefferson College strives to meet the needs of all students.”

The eight-month program will be based at the college’s Imperial location and will include many state-of-the-art hands-on training exercises such as firearms, defensive tactics, driver simulation, first aid and first responder, OC spray, radar, breath alcohol analysis, standard field sobriety testing, baton training, and incident scenarios. Classes will meet Monday through Thursday from 6-10 p.m. and two eight-hour Saturdays a month beginning this October.

Those who complete the new program will earn a Career and Technical Education Certificate in Criminal Justice and be eligible to take the licensing exam for Class A POST certification.

For more information about the new JCLEA POST certified training program, contact the Jefferson College Law Enforcement Academy at (636) 481-3425 or (636) 797-3000, ext. 3425 (TDD 789-5772).