FAQ: What Do You Do in the Police Academy? (Plus Answers)
Updated July 3, 2023
What is a police academy?
A police academy is an education center that trains recruits to become police officers. These institutions focus on both the physical and academic aspects of police work. Police academies put recruits through physically exhausting and mentally taxing schedules to build disciplined officers who can handle the responsibilities of the police force, similar to a military basic training program.Related: How To Become a Police OfficerWhat is training like at a police academy?
When you go through police academy training, expect an intensive focus on the physical requirements of becoming a police officer, the functionality and handling of multiple weapons and the academic understanding of the law and your roles in enforcing it. Typical physical training at the police academy involves:- Running
- Weight training
- Calisthenics
- Sit-ups and push-ups
- Obstacle courses
- Self-defense
- Non-lethal tools training
- Firearms training
- Marksmanship
- Emergency vehicle operations courses
- The law and law enforcement
- Criminology
- The role of law enforcement
- The relationship between law and the media
- Use of force
- Ethics
- Decision-making and how to control it
What are the different police academies?
There are two distinct types of police academies. In either academy, you can decide to enroll without first being hired, though you pay tuition to attend. If you enroll without first being hired, you can apply to be a police officer after receiving your certification, but they may ask you to complete an additional training course.The two types of police academies are:Decentralized academy
In a decentralized police academy, a community college or other academic institution works with the police academy. These academies have relationships with police stations, but law enforcement doesn't run them. The environment is less intense, with the role of the recruit more resembling that of a college student. Of all decentralized academies, approximately one-third are run by two-year colleges.Related: FAQ: What Is a Police Dispatcher and What Do They Do?Police-run academy
In a police-run academy, recruits are typically new hires to a police force going through basic training before starting the job. If this is the case, the recruits earn their starting salary while attending the police academy. These academies are often more intensely disciplined because the recruits are law enforcement employees, not students.Related: Police Chief vs. Police Director: What's the Difference?How long does it take to become a police officer?
There are currently no federal standards for becoming a police officer, so each state decides its own minimum requirements. Recruits can expect to spend between six and eight months in basic training. This can mean anywhere from 320 hours to 1,000 hours of physical training and academic classes. Academies may offer different courses and more or fewer required hours depending on their state of operation.According to the United States Department of Justice, the average length of basic training for all state and local law enforcement agencies is 833 hours.Related: What Does a Police Sergeant Do? (Plus Duties and Skills)What's a day in the police academy like?
When accepted into a police academy, you take part in classes and practical instruction learning state laws, criminal investigations, patrol procedures, firearms training, traffic control and more. The design of the police academy is to be an intensive learning experience, so expect to spend almost every moment of the day either learning, exercising or both.A typical daily schedule for an academy recruit living on campus in a dormitory comprises:- Wake at 5 a.m.
- Eat breakfast.
- Engage in physical training.
- Eat lunch.
- Attend academic classes.
- Eat dinner.
- Study.
- Sleep at 10 p.m.
How can I succeed in a police academy?
Here are some areas of focus to help you succeed at the academy:- Stay fit. The police academy is often physically taxing, so staying in shape is important for keeping up with the demands of training.
- Study hard. Recruits learn specifics about weapons, various tactical strategies and more to build a working knowledge base. Use your free time to study, memorize and understand the material to prepare for tests and keep your education up-to-date.
- Focus on your goals. Let those specific goals guide you through your training and coursework. Maintain a positive attitude that this is the work that brings you closer to your desired career so you can focus on getting it done and achieving success.
- Follow orders. Remember that this is a part of your training and is preparing you for your work as an officer. Trust that their orders serve a purpose and do your best to follow them as given.
- Be punctual. Showing up on time shows respect for senior officers and fellow recruits by allowing training and classes to begin on time.
- Ask for help. If you require help to understand something better or with practicing drills, ask for it. You can also ask fellow recruits for help.
- Embrace the lifestyle. The police academy lifestyle involves hard work, rigorous training and exacting superiors. Recognize this as a necessary step in becoming a police officer.
- Be a team player. A police force works best as a team and your superiors are watching for this skill. Get to know your fellow recruits and put the interests of your team first.
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What tests do I pass to become a police officer?
With no federal standards for the minimum requirements for becoming a police officer, each state has its own testing methods to determine eligibility for the job. There are some basic criteria for police hiring qualifications such as being at least 21 years old with a high school diploma or GED equivalent and at least two years of higher education.Here are some of the most common types of tests recruits pass to become certified:- Physical fitness tests
- Written exams
- Medical exams
- Polygraph tests
- Drug tests
- Background checks
- Psychological tests
- Board certification interviews
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