Law Enforcement Academy
Move Mountains to serve and protect your community with an Associate of Applied Science degree or certificate in Law Enforcement from Arapahoe Community College.
Our Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) is a P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified basic Academy for entry into law enforcement. Your training is robust, with over 700 hours of instruction offered by our staff of 80 subject matter experts from multiple agencies throughout Colorado who serve in an active public safety role. The program is also flexible, with four full-time academies and a part-time Academy to meet the needs of your schedule. The LEA program serves self-sponsored and agency-sponsored cadets in a paramilitary and law enforcement squad room environment.
Our reputation within the law enforcement community for providing quality graduates is unrivaled! If your calling is to serve and protect, launch your career in law enforcement at Arapahoe Community College.
What You'll Learn
Our associate degree program will help you develop a variety of skills for your career in law enforcement or criminal justice. ACC's Law Enforcement Academy exceeds the hours required by P.O.S.T. for a basic Law Enforcement Academy and includes the P.O.S.T. written exam following graduation. You will be ready to:
- Explain individual rights, constitutional rights, and due process procedures
- Show leadership skills
- Apply critical thinking skills
- Display effective oral and written communication skills
- Discuss how the criminal justice system works
CIP 430103 (CJLE)
The Law Enforcement A.A.S. Degree is designed for students who completed or plan to complete Arapahoe Community College's Law Enforcement Academy and are seeking a career in Law Enforcement. This program prepares students to be employed in law enforcement at departments requiring a two-year college degree.
Admission Requirements
- Admission to Arapahoe Community College
- Completion of ACC's Law Enforcement Academy, or a current Colorado Post certificate holder, or permission of the Program Coordinator.
Program Requirements
These courses will be completed through ACC's Law Enforcement Academy. Upon review and permission of the Program Coordinator, successful completion of Law Enforcement Academy at another institution may serve as an equivalent and may be transferred to ACC for course credit.
Graduation Requirements
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
- As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.
CIP 430107 (LEA)
The Law Enforcement Academy is a P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified program accredited through the Colorado P.O.S.T. Board. The Law Enforcement Academy is basic training for law enforcement officers and enables graduates to take the P.O.S.T. certification test to become certified as peace officers in Colorado. The ACC Academy program consists of 40 semester credit hours consisting of 700+ contact hours involving lecture, practical exercises, skills training and fitness. This program exceeds the hours required by P.O.S.T. for a Basic Law Enforcement Academy and includes the P.O.S.T. written exam following graduation.
Students must possess current CPR and First Aid Certifications (included in the program) in order to sit for the P.O.S.T. exam. Due to the Intensity and format of the classes in the academy no electives are required or recommended during the Academy program.
Admission Requirements
The Law Enforcement Academy requires an additional application process, including but not limited to:
- a personal advising interview with a member of the Academy staff
- a criminal background check prior to acceptance and enrollment
- A High School Diploma, G.E.D or equivalent
- Current and valid Colorado driver's license.
- ENG 121 or higher or assessed to be at college-level English (see Student Resources and Services - Assessment in this Catalog)
- Ability to legally possess firearms
- No criminal history of any Felonies or any Misdemeanor specified in 24-31-305(1.5) (b) through (h), C.R.S.
For more information, please contact the Law Enforcement Academy Program in Room N1170 or at 303.797.5793.
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements
- All courses in the academy must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
- As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.
Professional Licensing Disclosure
Students enrolling or continuing at Arapahoe Community College (ACC) have a right to certain information that the college is required by law to provide. As a student applying for or attending the Law Enforcement Academy meets the licensure or certification for Colorado. It is possible that the degree/certificate may count toward licensing in states other than Colorado. If you are planning to seek professional licensure, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state in which you are located or plan to locate in order to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before you begin this program. This program meets the applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification in Colorado as listed below:
Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board
ACC has determined the Law Enforcement Academy does NOT meet applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification for the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
CIP 430302 (B1ES)
The BAS degree in Emergency Service Administration offers a comprehensive program to prepare a new generation of leaders in the field of emergency services in both governmental agencies and private sectors. Students will obtain a well-rounded learning experience and training related to proactive strategic planning for disaster prevention and reduction. The curriculum blends theoretical perspectives with professional practice necessary to enhance resiliency for communities and leverage capabilities and resources to deal with emergency situations. Students will learn how to tackle crisis requiring multi-agency collaboration and coordination activities. Additionally, the curriculum provides the foundation and skills for professionals in emergency services to advance into a leadership position and practice a proactive leadership in unpredictable and catastrophic situations to minimize risk to responders and the public.
The program will be delivered online. The BAS program (a total of 120 credit hours) offers a flexible upper level 60-credit-hour degree designed specifically for students who have earned an associate degree from a regionally accredited institution in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management and Planning, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science Technology, Homeland Security/Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Paramedicine, Public Safety, Wildland Safety, or closely related degree.
Admission Requirements
- Admission to Arapahoe Community College
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Student must have the following to be considered for entrance into this program: must possess a relevant associate degree (60+ credits) from a regionally accredited institution in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management and Planning, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science Technology, Homeland Security/Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Paramedicine, Public Safety, Wildland Safety, or closely related degree.
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Pre-acceptance advising session with Program Chair at peter [dot] loebach [at] arapahoe [dot] edu or 303.797.5792
Program Requirements
- As well as AAS Degree General Education Coursework 15 Credits
- AAS Degree Major Coursework 45 Credits
Graduation Requirements
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
Fall registration is open from March 1 - June 30.
Spring registration is open from September 15 - November 25.
Anytime before applying to the Law Enforcement Academy
*The following items will need to be uploaded to the online application.
- Apply to the Law Enforcement Academy (Application Packet)
- Complete a Certified Criminal Background Check – including criminal history. Use code RS45. Fees apply. Results will be emailed to you, please upload them to the online application.
- A copy of your current Colorado Driver's License
- A copy of your High School Diploma or GED
- College Placement Test Scores or evidence of passing English 1021. (Information and requirements for the college placement test)
- If you have a college degree or have attended college, an unofficial copy of your college transcript
- A copy of your DD214 if serving or have served in the military. *Required DD214 Member 4 form.
Steps 1-10 need to be completed prior to scheduling an interview.
- Schedule an interview with the Academy staff - A NON-REFUNDABLE $40.00 interview / application fee must be paid to the cashier's office and a receipt returned to the Academy office prior to your interview. The deposit slip will be obtained from the Academy staff.
All documents collected above will be turned into the Academy investigator at your scheduled interview.
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Once you have completed your interview with the Academy Staff and it has been determined that you are a good candidate for the Academy, you will be offered a place in one of the classes. You must pay a $100.00 fee to hold your place in the class. This is later applied towards tuition and will be refunded if you are unable to attend. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
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POST requires fingerprints to be submitted to CBI. This must be completed by Arapahoe Community College - Campus Police. Please contact Campus Police for scheduling options: 303.797.5835 dial 2. Fees apply.
LEA staff will grant approval for registration and email courses and additional deadlines after receipts are obtained in Step 12 and 13.
Registration will close once the Academy class is filled or 30 days before the first day of class. Official dates will be provided to LEA applicants at the time of their interview and again once the placement fee payment is offered to eligible candidates.
- Physical Exam - Please schedule a physical exam and have your doctor sign off on our letterhead form (printable Physical Exam form)
- Driving History - This can be ordered online through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or in person at your local DMV. (We require all records going back 5 years.) If you have lived in multiple states, LEA will request additional records from those states.
- Orientation information, schedules, costs, and required POST documentation will be sent out by email to all registered students 30 days prior to the Academy's 1st day of class.
Steps 14-16 must be completed and submitted 2 weeks prior to the 1st day of class.
ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.
- Law Enforcement AAS - Academic Plan
- Please contact Terrie Bechdel for questions regarding the Law Enforcement AAS
- Law Enforcement Academy Certificate - Academic Plan
Students enrolling or continuing at Arapahoe Community College (ACC) have a right to certain information that the college is required by law to provide. As a student applying for or attending the Law Enforcement Academy meets the licensure or certification for Colorado. It is possible that the degree/certificate may count toward licensing in states other than Colorado. If you are planning to seek professional licensure, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state in which you are located or plan to locate in order to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before you begin this program. This program meets the applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification in Colorado as listed below:
Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board
ACC has determined the Law Enforcement Academy does NOT meet applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification for the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
