Public Safety, Technical Certificate (Basic Law Enforcement Officer Education)

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The Regional Law Enforcement Academy provides educational services to individuals desiring a career in public safety. These services will be provided through an eight-week basic law enforcement academy and a forty hour in-service program needed for the on-duty officers to maintain their certification.

The Basic Law Enforcement Officer Education technical certificate prepares students to meet standards for law enforcement officers established by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST). Credit earned for successful completion of this program may be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science degree in Public Safety, Law Enforcement concentration. Approval of the dean of the Public Safety program is required for admission.

This program is designed for the student who does not intend to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.

Required Courses

Total Credit Hours 23

General Admission Requirements

Any student desiring to attend the Basic Law Enforcement academy must:

Apply, meet admission requirements and be accepted by Walters State Community College.
Be currently employed by a law enforcement agency or be 20 years of age or older.
Complete the academy application and provide military paperwork if relevant.
Complete physical and psychological examinations required and provide proof of immunizations.
Provide documentation of all schools attended (high school and above) including copies of graduation or attendance. Provide documentation of completed GED and partial high school transcript.
Provide a color photo (passport size; no hat) and a background check through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Submit the above documentation by designated deadlines.

Police In-Service

The Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission requires active duty law enforcement officers to participate in 40 hours of training annually in order to maintain Commission certification as required by TCA38-8-111. Law enforcement officers may exceed this requirement by successfully completing any three hour CRJT law enforcement course.