How long do you train to be a cop

This full-time, 888-hour intensive course 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 employed or aspiring peace officer recruits who can dedicate their full 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 student can apply to police agencies as a Regular Peace Officer.  

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 academy students for police service.

Prerequisites

Each Basic Police Academy applicant must:

• Pass the POST Reading/Writing Test (see test info and schedule);
• Pass the Physical Agility WSTB Test (see test info and schedule); and
• Complete the Academy Application process including medical clearance, proof of medical insurance, DMV history, DOJ Firearms Clearance.
• Adhere to the Basic Police Academy Student Needs List
• After successful completion of  the POST Reading/Writing Test and the WSTB Test, submit your scores on the Basic Police Academy Pre-Registration Form.

Minimum Standards for Employment

The minimum selection standards for peace officers in California are set forth in Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031. Every California peace officer must:

• Be free of any felony convictions;
• Be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship (CHP officers must be US citizens at time of appointment);
• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record;
• Be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation;
• Be a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or have attained a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited institution; and
• Be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

For more information visit the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Peace Officer Candidate Information web page.

Current COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directionsstate that you are to be fully vaccinated (this includes the booster vaccination) and that offer of employment will be subject to proof of vaccination.

Your journey with Victoria Police starts at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley. It involves 31 weeks of full-time, structured training.

As a police recruit, you will be paid from your first day of training.

It is a structured training environment. You will need dedication and commitment to succeed.

You can choose to live at the Academy during this time.

What to expect

We believe reward comes from effort.

The training you will undertake is comprehensive, and it is both physically and academically challenging.

Types of learning

Your time at the Academy will expose you to learning through:

• specialist lecturers
• reality-based training
• simulations
• practical scenarios
• case studies
• and problem-based learning.

This will help you develop into an operationally-ready first responder with Victoria Police.

You may need to undertake extra study and maintain your fitness outside of class times.

Training hours

The usual training hours at the Academy are:

• 7.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday
• You are expected to be in uniform by 7am.

Training hours and shift variations

The above hours may be subject to variations including, but not limited to:

• Police Graduation Days 7am to 2.20pm (every second Thursday)
• Afternoon shifts - weeks 18, 20 and 24 1:20pm to 8:40pm (subject to time variations).
• 'On the job' Dedicated Training Workplace field placements (weeks 13, 21, 22, 23, 28). Hours are subject to work location rostering.

Some police recruits will have carer or other responsibilities. During shift variations, these recruits may need to organise extra care support.

Support

This will be an intense and demanding period of your life. During this time, support from family and friends is essential.

The structure of the Police Foundation Training Program

Your initial training with Victoria Police is undertaken within the first two years and 13 weeks of your employment.