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Program Information

The Palomar College Police Academy is an extended format training program designed to allow Recruits who are maintaining full time employment the opportunity to complete police academy training.  The classes meet Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 5:30PM to 10:30PM and Saturdays from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.  Due to training requirements, some evening classes may extend to 11:00PM and some Sundays may be scheduled.

The Palomar College Police Academy was redesigned in 2016 as a modular training program.  Those wishing to pursue a full time position as a peace officer would attend the entire year-long program to be hired as a full-time sworn peace officer in California.  The modular format also meets the needs of those aspiring to be Level III, Level II, or Level I reserve police officers.  Modules are completed in descending order: Module III, followed by Module II and then Module I.

  • To qualify as a Level III reserve police officer, one must complete Module III, which consists of a minimum of 144 hours of training.
  • To qualify as a Level II reserve police officer, one must complete Module III AND Module II, which consists of an additional minimum of 189 hours of training.
  • To qualify as a Level I reserve police officer or a full-time sworn police officer, one must complete Module III, the Module II, AND Module I, which consists of an additional minimum of 394 hours of training.

The modules do not have to be completed consecutively in one year. For example, one could complete Modules III and II, leave the program, and then return the next year to complete Module I.  Also, the modules do not need to be completed at the same training facility. A recruit could complete Modules III and II at another facility and then take Module I at Palomar College.

Prerequisites for entry into Module III:

  • Possess valid driver license
  • Obtain a medical clearance
  • Obtain a California DOJ firearms clearance

Prerequisites for entry into Module II:

  • Successful completion of Module III
  • Current (within last 3 years) in PC 832 Arrest and Firearms training requirements
  • Passage of the POST-constructed Comprehensive Module III End-of-Course Proficiency Test within the preceding 12 months (test will be administered, if needed)
  • Possess a valid driver license
  • Obtain a medical clearance
  • Obtain a California DOJ firearms clearance

Prerequisites for entry into Module I:

  • Successful completion of Module III and Module II
  • Current (within last 3 years) in PC 832 Arrest and Firearms training requirements
  • Passage of the POST-constructed Comprehensive Module II End-of-Course Proficiency Test within the preceding 12 months (test will be administered, if needed)
  • Possess a valid driver license
  • Obtain a medical clearance
  • Obtain a California DOJ firearms clearance

COURSE INFORMATION

The Palomar College Basic Police Academy (Extended Format) is presented over a period of 12 months, representing 970 training hours. Academy Recruits will receive 36 college credits for attending the complete academy training program. Students who complete all three modules are eligible to apply for the Basic Police Academy Certificate of Achievement. The units may be applied toward requirements for an Associate’s Degree in Administration of Justice.

Students must contact the Palomar College Admissions Office and/or Counseling Office to verify eligibility for the Associate’s Degree program.

Academy costs vary with materials, facility, and instruction content. For additional details, review our Academy Cost-and-Fees-2023.

The Palomar College Police Academy curriculum is divided into three extended format instructional Modules:

AJ 85 Law Enforcement Preparation Course Units = 3

A four-week orientation course targeting the implementation of law enforcement related leadership, ethics, professionalism, social engagement, report writing, time management, resiliency, nutrition and physical fitness, policies and procedures, and strategic communication skills in preparation for successful police academy training.  Designed to prepare future Basic Police Academy students to sustain peace officer basic training requirements and introduces students to the foundations of becoming an exemplary peace officer through effective communication, cultural diversity, lifetime fitness, investigative report writing, and adherence to academy policies and procedures.

Module III:

AJ 86 Basic Police Academy Module III   Units = 7

Equivalent to Module III extended-format training standards as set forth by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Covers ethics, the criminal justice system, laws of arrest, search and seizure, custody, firearms, arrest and control, first aid/CPR, and other related police topics. Meets the requirements for appointment as a Level III Reserve Officer and satisfies the arrest and firearms training requirements specified in Penal Code Section 832.

Module II:

AJ 87A Basic Police Academy Module IIA & AJ 87B Basic Police Academy Module IIB   Units = 12

AJ 87A and 87B are equivalent to Basic Course Module II extended-format training standards as set forth by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The prerequisite for this course is successful completion of a POST-certified Module III course. AJ 87A covers property crimes, crimes against persons, policing in the community, firearms, chemical agents, and other related police topics. AJ 87B covers report writing, cultural diversity and discrimination, preliminary investigation, evidence, crimes in progress, and other related police topics. AJ 87A and 87B meet the requirements for appointment as a Level II Reserve Officer.

Module I:

AJ 88A Basic Police Academy Module IA & AJ 88B Basic Police Academy Module IB   Units = 14

AJ 88A and 88B are equivalent to the Basic Course Module I extended-format training standards as set forth by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The prerequisites for this course are successful completion of POST-certified Module III and Module II courses. AJ 885A covers crimes against children, sex crimes, juvenile law, domestic violence, gang awareness, vehicle pullovers, and other related police topics. AJ 88B covers emergency management, traffic enforcement and collision investigation, controlled substances, lifetime fitness, arrest and control, vehicle operations, and other related police topics. AJ 88A and 88B meet the requirements for appointment as a full-time peace officer or Level I Reserve Officer.

For more information about our application process, click here.

For information about dates and deadlines, click here.

To contact the Police Academy:

E-mail policeacademy@palomar.edu