What Prospective Police and Correction Recruits Should Know

Thank you for your interest in the Academy programs. You should call the academy at 904.713.4903 to confirm important dates for the class that you wish to attend. The process consists of an orientation, a physical proficiency examination (PT test), FBAT, a polygraph examination, your submission of the appropriate application documents and a one to two hour formal oral interview panel. Upon successful completion of the entire process you will be considered for admittance in the program.
For some courses the initial processing begins 6-7 months in advance of the class start date, and all applications are usually closed 60 days before the class start date.

The Corrections Basic class is 534 hours of training and the Basic Law Enforcement class is 766 hours. You should immediately begin to work on the items listed below to prepare yourself for the Basic Law Enforcement or Corrections Programs.

First, prepare yourself physically. Up to 50% of all applicants are rejected due to their failure to pass the PT test. If you are not working out regularly, start today. Come to the PT test prepared to exceed the minimum requirements. We will be the sole judges on any issues involving your performance during the PT test. Please call 713.4900 for more information.

Second, Obtain a current FBAT/COBAT score. Effective January 1, 2002 All students entering the Academy will need to take this exam. If you have already taken the FBAT the test must not be older than two years on the date the class begins.

Third, collect required documents. You must submit originals or copies of certain document with your packet. Start locating the originals of these records, now. Birth certificate, high school diploma, college transcripts, DD Form 214, drivers license, social security card, health/accident insurance card, proof of US citizenship if not a birth certificate. There are other documents that will be provided that you will have to fill out during the application process. These will be discussed during the orientation.

Fourth, Basic Law Enforcement applicants should do civilian observation rides now. Find out now if you really want to become a police officer. Most area law enforcement agencies have a formal civilian observer ride along program where under certain conditions you can accompany an on duty deputy or patrol officer. Call the departments for information. There are specific rules involving this process and they vary with each agency. Ride with several patrol officers, field-training officers and first line supervisors. Also ride with more than one agency, in more than one zone or geographical patrol area, and during varying days of the week and times of day. Ride as many times as you can.

Fifth, start your information/job search today. Research Web sites for area law enforcement agencies to determine their hiring, salary and other criteria. Search the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) web site to find information on state required training programs, qualifications, standards and related information.

Sixth, insure that you meet the minimum entry requirements before you apply. Potential applicants are denied admission to the academy basic corrections and law enforcement programs as their backgrounds include criminal convictions for felonies or certain other violations of law, domestic violence convictions, poor driving histories or the use of controlled substances. See other sections of our Web Page for more details on the application process.

Failure to disclose adverse background information during the process is an automatic disqualification. The Academy uses as its minimum admission standards those set by the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, our partnering agency for driving and drug use.

Driving standards exclude any applicant who in the past 5 years has: a DUI/DWI, has refused to submit to chemical test, has a suspended drivers license for points, willful/wanton reckless driving, fleeing and attempting to elude, leaving the scene of an accident 5 hazardous moving violations or 2 hazardous moving violations resulting in accident or license suspended for financial responsibility arising from an "at fault" accident. Driving standards also exclude any driving felony (DUI Manslaughter).

These standards also exclude any applicant who has not remained drug free for the previous year prior to making application. It further excludes anyone who has ever sold drugs illegally, acted as a middleperson in a drug deal, or trafficked in drugs. The standards further exclude you if you have used marijuana in the past three years or if you have used any I, II, III, IV, AND V Drugs, possessed drug paraphernalia or used non-prescription steroids. You will be excluded if you have used Hallucinogens in the past ten years.

Lastly, mentally prepare for the applicant process and a long-term commitment. During the orientation we will explain that you will have to obtain a current physical examination, complete a polygraph examination that will ask very detailed and probing questions concerning your personal life, obtain criminal history and driving history records and pass an oral interview panel.
Conduct self-examination of your life experiences, your motives to become a law enforcement officer and your career objectives to prepare for this process. It is a long-term commitment to complete these programs. You must be prepared to exert the effort.