Law Enforcement Academy Certificate

2024-2025

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.

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.