Law Enforcement Training

Officer checking the license of a driver

Law Enforcement Training

Certificate

Expected Hours for Certificate

23

Educate. Protect. Serve.

We provide law enforcement training and education which meets the requirements of the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission and which will ensure that the citizens of Tennessee are protected and served by officers that are capable, well prepared and confident. It is our goal to provide the highest caliber of instruction and to insure that the graduates leave the training program equipped with fundamental police knowledge, skills and abilities and are sensitive and responsive to the communities they may serve. Apply Now! Program Licensure Disclosure

What is Law Enforcement Training Technical Certificate?

The basic Law Enforcement Technical Certificate prepares students to meet standards for law enforcement officers as established by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST). Credit earned for the successful completion of this training may be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science degree in Law Enforcement. Upon completion of the entire course of instruction, the student will be awarded 23 semester hours of credit. Also, the student will be eligible for certification as a peace officer in the State of Tennessee upon hire by a POST-affiliated law enforcement agency.

Currently, these courses are only available through full-time enrollment in the Law Enforcement Training Academy.  Approval from the Director of the Law Enforcement Training Academy is required for admission to the class.

What will I learn?

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to do the following:

  1. Identify the requirement, processes, and challenges of a career in law enforcement.
  2. Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively.
  4. Identify and apply applicable legislative principals to public service practice.
  5. Evaluate effective actions in general law enforcement situations.
  6. Analyze the functions of different components of the United States criminal justice system.
  7. Evaluate the constitutional protections offered to all citizens and connect them to general police procedures.

Upcoming Academies

Event

Spring 2024
Class 91
Summer 2024
Class 92

 Fall 2024
Class 93

Application Deadline* Tue., Jan. 02, 2024 Wed., April 17, 2024 Wed., Aug. 21, 2024
Orientation** Wed, Jan. 10, 2024 Wed, May 01, 2024 Wed, Sept. 04, 2024
First Full Day of Class Mon, Jan. 22, 2024 Mon, May 13, 2024 Mon, Sep 16, 2024
Academy Graduation Fri, April 12, 2024 Fri, Aug. 02, 2024 Fri, Dec. 06, 2024

* Applications must be received by this date.

Criminal Justice students proceed through a competitive process for admission to the training program.

 ** Orientation

Mandatory Orientation: from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 5:00 p.m. (EST) in room T-106.

Fitness Training Standards

Enrollment in the Basic Law Enforcement Course involves mandatory participation in physical conditioning, defensive tactics and patrol related practicum activities.   The successful recruit should report to the academy in sufficient physical condition.

Physical Demands of Training

Defensive tactics

This training, largely based on pressure point control, is continuous throughout the course and requires the officer to learn, practice and demonstrate on fellow students the following exercises:

  • Baton and handcuffing techniques
  • Methods of breaking holds
  • Weapon retention and disarming
  • Basic punches and kicks
  • Front, side and lateral take-down maneuvers
  • Pressure point control
  • Active counter measures
  • Joint locks

Firearms Training Courses

One week of the Basic Law Enforcement Course is devoted to firearms training.   Many of the combat and qualification courses require heavy exertion prior to and during actual firing.   In addition, a specific firearms course is designed to place heavy physical and emotional stress on the participant and includes the following criteria conducted under timed conditions:

  • Receive a radio dispatch
  • Exit a marked patrol car.
  • Run 50 yards
  • Negotiate several obstacles and interact with instructors during stressful situations.
  • Perform to acceptable standards while under Sympathetic Nervous System Activation
  • Assess and correctly identify threat targets amidst numerous distractions
  • Issue verbal commands appropriate to those threats
  • Conduct multiple timed shoot/no-shoot decisions while demonstrating proper tactics
  • Move to cover and assess further needs for assistance.

Emergency vehicle operations,  crimes-in-progress, building  searches, various vehicle and on-foot stop and approach situations. These will require physical endurance, flexibility, and situational awareness to successfully negotiate. These exercises are both training and testing in nature and will involve the use of Simunition FX Marking cartridges and protective equipment. The nature of needed student equipment is provided at orientation.

Physical Fitness

This training requires the student to perform exercises to increase endurance, flexibility and muscle development.   Physical fitness is evaluated by sit-ups, push-ups, wind sprints, distance running, etc., on a scale adjusted for age.

Applicants must understand that the physical demands of the Academy are strenuous but satisfactory completion is mandatory to graduate.

Students should condition themselves prior to entering the Academy as they will perform physical training five days a week to prepare for the test of the obstacle course and life as an officer on the street. The student should also concentrate on running up to 3 miles at a moderate pace to prepare for the Academy. Student will also be tested at the beginning week of the daily physical training and again in the final week. The trainee will have to accomplish the standards set by the trainers to pass that portion of the training.

Students will be tested on the following:

  • Sit-ups
  • Push-ups
  • 300 Meter Run
  • 1.5 Mile Run
  • Timed Obstacle Course
  •  

Course Information

The Cleveland State Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy is an intensive 12 week program, 574 hour course of instruction on basic law enforcement.  During the academy the average day for a student starts at 5:45 am and concludes around 5 pm with several evening training sessions. 

 

Financial aid options for paying for the academy include:

The FAFSA MUST BE COMPLETED FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Student Loans

American Job Center - Contact 423-614-8754

VA or Military Benefits - Contact Veterans Services at 423-473-2665 or veteranservices@clevelandstatecc.edu

Tennessee Reconnect - https://www.clevelandstatecc.edu/admissions/cleveland-state-reconnect/index.html 

 

What are my options to pay for this degree?

  • Apply for financial aid at www.FAFSA.gov
  • A student is encouraged to apply early for financial aid. He/she must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the FAFSA Renewal Application as soon as possible after October 1 to ensure that the Financial Aid Office receives the Institutional Student Information Record and other documents prior to the priority deadline. July 1st is the priority deadline for applying for the fall semester and December 1st for the spring semester.

Program Schedule

Fall, Spring, or Summer Semester

Police Firearms

3

 

Defensive and Tactical Driving

4

 

Community Policing for Law Enforcement

3

 

Basic Law Enforcement Procedures

3

 

Physical Defense Tactics

4

 

Introduction to Criminal Investigation

3

 

Patrol and Traffic Procedures

3

 

  • Fall, Spring, or Summer Semester
  • Congratulations!  After you complete this semester’s courses, while maintaining the Law Enforcement Academy academic and practical requirements, you will be a Cleveland State graduate.
  • Apply to graduate by completing the online Intent to Graduate form under the Graduation Tab within Registration Tools & Forms on CougarNet.
  •  
FINANCIAL ALERT-Please consult  a financial aid specialist and the business office prior to the start of classes to check on fees/expenses and to ensure that you are in good standing.
Career Community Contact
Law Enforcement Training

Technology Building - Room T-138

Email

lawenforcementacademy@clevelandstatecc.edu

Talk to Us

423-473-2439

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