The Law Enforcement (LE) Academy prepares students as entry-level law enforcement officers in Florida. The coursework is regulated by Florida statutes and is a highly structured and disciplined program with special rules, policies, and procedures. Applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, and be SELECTED to be in the academy.
The program is 40 hours per week, spans two semesters, and consist of 770 course hours. Students can expect to learn practical skills through classroom instruction and participate in a variety of training scenario/simulation exercises. The curriculum was developed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and consists subjects such as legal issues, human diversity, firearms, and other topics that FDLE mandates. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the FDLE State Officer Certification Exam.
Candidate SelectionThe selection of candidates for the law enforcement or detention academy is based on a point system, with points awarded relative to the Florida Basic Abilities Test score, results of the criminal history, background investigation, driving record, drug history, advanced educational degrees, and military service. If not immediately selected for admittance into the law enforcement or detention academy, candidates who have successfully completed all of the requirements will remain in the applicant pool; however, re-testing and fingerprint background will be required at an additional expense.
Requirements
To be eligible for the position of a law enforcement or detention officer, you must meet the following criteria in Florida Statues 943.13.
To be eligible for the position of a law enforcement or detention officer, you must meet the following criteria in Florida Statues 943.13.
In Addition, in accordance with federal law U.S.C. 922(g), it is unlawful for any person:
- who has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;
- who is a fugitive from justice;
- who is an unlawful user of, or addicted to, any controlled substance [as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 802)];
- who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or who has been committed to a mental institution;
- who, being an alien, is illegally or unlawfully in the United States;
- who has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions;
- who, having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced his or her citizenship;
- who is subject to a court order that
- was issued after a hearing of which such person received actual notice, and at which such person had an opportunity to participate;
- restrains such person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner of such person or child of such intimate partner or person, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child;
- and includes a finding that such person represents a credible threat to the physical safety or such intimate partner or child; or by its terms explicitly prohibits the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against such intimate partner or child that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury; or
- who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence;
- to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affected commerce, any firearm or ammunition; or to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. There is no exception.
- Admit yourself to Santa Fe College:
- Apply to SF College by going to sfcollege.edu/admissions and clicking on the “Apply Now” button.
- Select “Certificate in Law Enforcement: VC-7702” as your PRIMARY
- Once you are admitted, log onto the SF College eSantaFe website (located at https://ss2.sfcollege.edu/eSantaFe) using your SF ID and password.
- Once logged in, please click on the “My Status” button to ensure all items (such as FL residency, Registration Stops, etc.) are completed.
- Once completed, email your SF ID number and expression of interest to Advising Specialist/Background Investigator Sayuri “Sally” Anderson: sayuri.anderson@sfcollege.edu
- LE Academy Application: Once Ms. Anderson receives your email, the following will take place:
- You will receive further application details and an email invitation to the online IPS Application system POBITS (Peace Officer Background Investigation Tracking System).
- Review the POBITS Candidate Overview video before beginning the application:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ziv4ZfBv8H8&t=276s
- Log on and complete the POBITS Personal History Statement (PHS). PHS is your application to LE Academy.
- Youre POBITS access will expire 14 days after you receive the email invitation.
- Ensure you validate all information in your PHS and complete/upload all supplemental forms. Once completed, submit your application. Please note that your access to POBITS will be revoked permanently once PHS is submitted.
- After the PHS is submitted, please contact Ms. Anderson and make an appointment for the Applicant Processing Appointment (APA).
- Applicant Processing Appointment (APA): During the two (2) to four (4) hour APA you will:
- Sit and take the Florida Basic Abilities Test (FBAT) online. Please note all applicants must pass the FBAT as part of the application process.
- Provide fingerpints.
- Be scheduled for a drug screening.
- Be interviewed by the Background Investigator.
- Pay all application fees. Fees can be paid via Cashier’s Check, Money Order, or Credit Card. All are non-refundable (In-State Application Fee: $135; Out-of-State Application Fee: $225)
Contacts
Academic Advisor/Investigator: Sayuri “Sally” Anderson
- Email: sayuri.anderson@sfcollege.edu
- Phone: 352-271-2925
- Office: Santa Fe College Institute of Public Safety, 3737 NE 39th Ave, Gainesville FL 32609
Application Intake: Jo Ann Svedas
- Email: joann.svedas@sfcollege.edu
- Phone: 352-271-2945
Program Support: Celeste Otero
- Email: celeste.otero@sfcollege.edu
- Phone: 352-271-2919
CJBAT - FBAT
Testing Dates: TBA
Location: SF Institute of Public Safety 3737 N.E. 39th Avenue, Gainesville
For more information email Jo Ann Svedas or call 352-271-2945.
Upcoming Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Class
March 2018 - BRC 141
| Scheduled to Start | Scheduled Hours(subject to change) | Accepting Applications | Deadline | Orientation | Cost |
| July 2 | 1300-2200 | Feb 12 | April 13 | June 18 | $4,300-$5,000 |
October 2018 - BRC 143
| Scheduled to Start | Scheduled Hours(subject to change) | Accepting Applications | Deadline | Orientation | Cost |
| October 22 | 1300-2200 | May 14 | August 3 | October 1 | $4,300-$5,000 |
March 2019 - BRC 145
| Scheduled to Start | Scheduled Hours(subject to change) | Accepting Applications | Deadline | Orientation | Cost |
| March 11 | 0800-1700 | August 13 | Nov. 16 | February 11 | $4,300-$5,000 |
July 2019 - BRC 147
| Scheduled to Start | Scheduled Hours(subject to change) | Accepting Applications | Deadline | Orientation | Cost |
| July 1 | 1300 - 2200 | January 7 | April 8 | June 10 | $4,300-$5,000 |
Upcoming Crossover Class Correction to Law Enforcement Class
| Scheduled to Start | Scheduled Hours(subject to change) | Accepting Applications | Deadline | Orientation |
| TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Upcoming Correction Class
August 2018 - BRC 142
| Scheduled to Start | Scheduled Hours(subject to change) | Accepting Applications | Deadline | Orientation |
| August 22 | 1300-2200 | May 14 | July 31 | TBD |
January 2019 - BRC 144
| Scheduled to Start | Scheduled Hours(subject to change) | Accepting Applications | Deadline | Orientation |
| January 7 | 1300-2200 | August 13 | Nov 16 | TBD |
May 2019 - BRC 146
| Scheduled to Start | Scheduled Hours(subject to change) | Accepting Applications | Deadline | Orientation |
| May 13 | 1300-2200 | January 7 | April 8 | TBD |
