An information session will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 7 p.m. for anyone interested in this program. Please call for details.
Training Tomorrows’ Law Enforcement
Cazenovia College’s Phase I Pre-employment Police Basic Training Program was established in partnership with the Little Falls Police Department, with approval from the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), in 2004. The Police Pre-Certification Program curriculum meets all requirements established by the Municipal Police Training Council.
The 2012 – 13 training program will commence September 15 on the Cazenovia College campus. Classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and on Saturdays through June 2013. The Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Program is open to any resident interested in pursuing employment in a police department in New York State. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
The cost for the school is $4,250 (plus books and supplies). Upon graduation students are awarded a Certificate of Completion for Phase I. A prospective hiring agency will arrange for completion of Phase II training before a full certificate from DCJS is awarded.
This is a unique opportunity for those persons interested in entering the law enforcement field and is the result of several years of planning by the Division of Criminal Justice Services. Persons interested in obtaining a complete information packet may contact the Office of Extended Learning at (315) 655-7107.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The program, operated through Cazenovia College’s Office of Extended Learning, is designed for current civilian or non-sworn personnel throughout New York State who are interested in entering the law enforcement field as police officers in New York State. Although the program does not guarantee admission into a police department, every standard required by a full-time basic police academy applies to this program, including physical fitness, attendance and academics.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates receive a transcript and certificate indicating completion of Phase I of the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training. The certificate gives students two (2) years to secure employment in a police department and complete the Phase II portion of the training before being awarded a full Basic School Certificate from DCJS.
“Regular police academy training takes a considerable amount of time out of a person’s life,” said Virginia Felleman, Retired Director of the Office of Extended Learning at Cazenovia College. “The Cazenovia College program is based on an adult learning model that promotes a highly interactive learning environment but also allows the student to continue with whatever work he or she is involved in with limited intrusion in order to complete the program.”
Requirements of the Program
Physical training is a major part of the program and a list of physical requirements needed for successful completion by the end of the program will be included in the information packet. A completed physician’s statement along with proof of immunization will be required at the time of application into the program.
Interested? Read on…
1. What is Police Pre-Employment Certification?
Several years ago many smaller police departments throughout New York State petitioned the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and the Governor’s Office for help in alleviating the costs of training police officers throughout the state.
Considering that all agencies had to first hire new police officers, send them to a municipal police academy and equip them, all while paying their salaries, smaller departments found the fiscal burden too cumbersome. Many officers left their departments after finishing their training for various reasons, leaving those departments a tab of about $30,000 per officer.
Police Pre-Employment Certification training is not a new concept. Thirty-seven other states in the United States conduct it with great success. It relieves law enforcement agencies of the burden and expense of providing Phase I training, but all aspects of regular academy training are essentially the same, except that the student (candidate) is not a sworn police officer and enters the program as a civilian.
Once a graduate is hired by a police agency (usually after passing a civil service exam), the candidate must pass a physical agility test and medical exam and a thorough background investigation is conducted.
2. What are the qualifications for entry into the program?
Admission to the program is open to all candidates who are physically and mentally able to participate in the activities required. Prospective students should review all of the standards required for successful completion before deciding to apply. There are both physical and administrative requirements.
Physical
Must provide a completed physician’s statement.
Must provide proof of MMR shots (measles, mumps and rubella).
Must understand that the position of police officer in New York State necessitates certain medical requirements be met.
Administrative
Must provide proof of a valid driver’s license.
Must sign a waiver regarding the program along with an affidavit affirming that he/she has not been convicted of a Felony.
Must provide proof of a high school diploma or GED.
3. What are the standards for successful completion?
In order for a student to receive a certificate of completion, certain physical and classroom standards MUST BE MET BEFORE THE END OF THE TRAINING.
Physical Standards
The following 50th percentile Cooper standards are required:
|
|
Males |
Females |
|
|
Age |
Age |
|
|
20-29 |
30-39 |
40-49 |
20-29 |
30-39 |
40-49 |
|
Sit Ups in 1 Minute |
38 |
35 |
29 |
32 |
25 |
20 |
|
Push Ups |
29 |
24 |
18 |
15 |
11 |
9 |
|
1.5 Mile Run |
12:38 |
12:58 |
13:50 |
14:50 |
15:43 |
16:31 |
It is strongly recommended that each student be as close as possible to these standards before enrolling in the program.
Classroom and Academic Standards
Meet the minimum passing scores for all exams (generally 75%, though some may require a passing score of 100%).
Meet the minimum proficiency standards in all applicable areas. (Defensive tactics, etc)
4. Courses of Instruction
The Police Pre-Certification program curriculum is identical to the Basic Police Academy curriculum in every way. Training is conducted by certified police instructors or approved instructors.
In some instances, because of constraints such as time of year, weather, type of instruction block, or unforeseen events, some areas of instruction require students to attend classes either several days in a row or several full daytime sessions in addition to those regularly scheduled. These will be limited to only a few topics areas which may include First Responder Training, EVOC, and others. Some of these training sessions may be off-site, which will require the student to have his or her own transportation. It is mandatory for the students to attend these!
5. How much will this cost me?
Cazenovia College provides professional instructors from both the police community and the College in order to facilitate the appropriate learning environment and meet the rigid standards of the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Program Costs: $4,250 total tuition with a $2,000 deposit due with application.
Students are responsible for the costs of books and supplies ($150) and are required to supply their own physical fitness clothing, such as sweatshirts, sneakers, t-shirts, and other necessary clothing, including cold weather gear.
A pro-rated refund will be allowed only in extraordinary circumstances, as determined by the program’s director, in consultation with the student.
6. After successful completion, what will I have?
After successful completion of the program each student will receive a transcript and certificate indicating that he or she has completed Phase I of the Police Pre-Employment Basic Training. This certificate will be good for two (2) years from the date of the certificate.
It is up to each student to secure employment in a police department and complete the Phase II portion of the training before being awarded a full Basic School Certificate from DCJS. Those allowing their certificate to lapse will be required to attend some amount of refresher courses in order to be re-validated for another two years.
7. Is this all worth it?
Regular police academy training takes a considerable amount of time out of a person’s life. This program was designed to allow the student to continue his or her current employment or other responsibilities with limited intrusion in order to complete the program. The price is comparable to many other areas of education in the same setting. The College and the program’s instructors strive to make the training program meaningful to all enrollees.