REQUIREMENTS

Law Enforcement is a physically demanding career, and training must prepare candidates for these challenges. Candidates must report to training in good physical condition with no medical problems which would prohibit them from engaging in rigorous physical activity.

Please note: prior to attending an academy, you need to secure all days to be in attendance as POST has a strict attendance policy. You can only miss 5% of each Module.  Hours cannot be any mandatory training, such as driving, arrest & control, firearms, CPR & 1st Aid, and some lecture classes. We cannot make-up these training classes, so please plan accordingly.  If you have any questions, please contact me immediately.

Academy applicants MUST NOT have any FELONY CONVICTIONS! In addition, you cannot have any Drug, Weapons, Assault, Domestic Violence convictions or previous psychological holds! You are not eligible if you even have a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) relating to weapons, assaults or domestic violence!  Some psychological holds can also disqualify you from taking this course.  Your background with DOJ will not clear if you have any of these in your background.

Recruits are expected to meet the POST requirements for being hired as a police officer. The following may be a dis qualifier for employment:

• Felonies
• Drug convictions 
• Drug use (includes marijuana)
• Credit problems (high debt to income ratio)
• Bad driving record (DUIs, speeding)
• Domestic violence and assault convictions, even misdemeanors, may prohibit you from being Employed as a peace officer or possessing a firearm!
• Psychological hold

Minimum Standards for Employment

The minimum selection standards for peace officers in California are set forth in Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031. Every California peace officer must: Be free of any felony convictions;

• Be free of any felony convictions;
• Be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship (CHP officers must be US citizens at time of appointment);
• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record;
• Be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation;
• Be a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or have attained a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited institution; and
• Be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

SELF-ASSESSMENT

The POST courses are very rigorous and challenging. It is a rewarding accomplishment to complete the program(s) and the staff wants you to be successful in achieving your career goals. This assessment is designed to assist you in determining your suitability for the program and provide further insight into the training expectations. Together with your family members, answer the following questions to determine whether you are ready to undertake the demands of the law enforcement academy training.  You need to be 100% committed to the program and take it seriously.  If you think this is just another course, this may not be the right time for you to take the academy.

NOTE:  Information is accurate at the time of posting, and may change without notice.  All agencies have their own background policies when it comes to DUIs, traffic violations, and drug use, including marijuana. The self-assessment is a tool for you to see if you are ready to take the next step. 

1. Do you have all the necessary finances in order? Consider tuition, books, uniform costs, DOJ clearance fees. 
2. Are you physically ready?
3. Are you mentally ready? Do you think well when under stress? Do you take written tests well? Can you write well?
4. Can you be around and handle firearms?  This program has an extensive firearms training program that requires qualifications in handgun & shotgun, which includes day and night shoots.  The program also includes rifle familiarization.
5. Have you had recent traffic violations, including DUI’s?  If so, these could be disqualifiers.  Agencies may reject applicants that have had a DUI within 3-7 years of applying.
6. Are you good with time management?  POST has strict standards on tardiness and absences.  Being late too many times could result in dismissal from the academy.
7. Can you follow directions and take orders? The POST program is paramilitary in nature.
8. Can you control your emotions under high-stress situations? The program requires you to think quickly on your feet, follow directions, and respond calmly under emotional tense conditions.
9. Do you get along well with others? Can you accept criticism from peers? Your performance will be continuously assessed by your peers and supervisors throughout the program.
10. Can you devote at least three hours each night to study and prepare? In order to attain a successful class ranking in a very competitive academy like environment, you must put forth your best effort and eliminate all personal distractions.
11. Do you have the full support of your family? Will you encourage your family to assist you in your training? Family support is a critical factor in academy success. Family members can help with your studies and uniform preparation.
12. Will your employer work around your academy schedule?  Some classes may run over, therefore you could be late to work.  Although we will do everything we can to prevent this, situations arise that are out of our control.

832 PC Arrest Training (44 hours)

• Martinez Regional Criminal Justice Training Center offers the training required under section 832(a) of the California Penal Code for "limited function peace officers" per regulation 1005(a)(7) & (8) of the Commission on Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST). (See excerpts from definitions and sections below).

• A "limited function peace officer" includes peace officers other than a regular police officer, sheriff’s deputy, or highway patrol officer. Some other public officials other than peace officers are also required to complete 832 PC training to exercise certain duties. Those required to complete 832 PC training generally include county probation and correctional officers, animal control officers, city and county park rangers, state hospital peace officers, special investigators of certain state departments and fire officials assigned as arson investigators and others who may need to issue citations for violations or make arrests for criminal offenses. Others taking the course include some federal officers working in California, such as forest rangers and Department of Defense police officers. 
• As this training is basic and introductory in scope, it is not unusual for ordinary citizens and students interested in or exploring law enforcement as a possible profession to enroll in 832 PC training. In some cases, completion of 832 PC training is strongly recommended or required prior to submission of an application for employment. A minimum level of physical ability is necessary for the arrest and firearms skills involved.
• We offer one course of 44 hours for the Arrest portion and a second course of 24 hours for Firearms.  
• PC Arrest Training consists of 30 hours of classroom instruction (and final exam) covering topics such as Professionalism and Ethics, Criminal Law, Search and Seizure, Report Writing, Investigation, and Laws Of Arrest. The written test is based on the information provided in the POST workbooks designed for this course. 

832 PC Firearms Training (24 hours)

• This course is offered as a second course to PC Arrest Training for the final 24 hours of instruction and is generally offered at least once or twice each year.  The training is limited to handgun techniques only; no rifle or shotgun training is provided. The first day is spent in the classroom and includes hands on familiarization of the firearm. Days two and three are spent on a local firing range. On the final day, the student must qualify with the firearm by successfully passing a state-standardized course of fire. As with the Arrest portion of the course, a single retest is allowed.
• Firearms and all ammunition, materials and safety equipment are provided in this course and are covered by the course materials fees. By arrangement with the course coordinator, agency-owned, approved and maintained firearms and ammunition may be used by the agency-sponsored student, but independent students will not be permitted to use their privately owned firearm or ammunition in this course.
• State law (PC 13511.5) requires that prior to enrollment in the firearms course, non-sponsored students obtain a firearms clearance through a criminal records check conducted by submission of fingerprints. The fingerprint check is submitted through the LiveScan system and usually costs the student between $90 and $100 (approximately). Course shall be demonstrated by passage of an appropriate examination developed or approved by the commission. Training in the carrying and use of firearms shall not be required of any peace officer whose employing agency prohibits the use of firearms.

(b) (1) Every peace officer described in this chapter, prior to the exercise of the powers of a peace officer, shall have satisfactorily completed the course of training described in subdivision (a).

• Arrest and Control–44 hours, Cost: $225
• Firearms–24 hours, Cost: $480

Module III Peace Officer Training (144 hours)

This is the first of three modules of the Regular Basic Course Modular format for peace officer training and is a prerequisite to Module II. This course includes fundamental principles, procedures and techniques of law enforcement, including criminal law, patrol procedures, cultural diversity, investigative procedures, report writing, defensive tactics, firearms, community relations, police vehicle operations, traffic enforcement and first aid/CPR. This course meets the classroom requirements for the student to function as a Level 3 Police Reserve Officer. Students are required to have a valid driver’s license and DOJ clearance letter dated within 90 days prior to first day of class.

Module III starts September 19, 2023.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A DOJ clearance letter is required for all Module III, Module II and PC 832 Firearms
• The DOJ Letter must be dated within 90 days prior to the first day of class. 
• Deadline to sign up for classes requiring DOJ clearance is 14 days prior to the start.
• A valid California Drivers License is required for Modules III & II
• All classes subject to date modifications.  Course fees subject to change.
• Modules III and II are approved for VA benefits.

COST: $900

REGISTRATION:

Each applicant must complete the Academy Application process. Contact our main office for registration questions at (925) 335-5890.

Additional application materials needed: medical clearance, proof of medical insurance, a copy of your valid driver's license and DOJ Firearms Clearance.

Module II Peace Officer Training (211 hours)

This is the second of three modules of the Regular Basic Course Modular format for Peace Officer training and is a prerequisite to Module I. Course content is a minimum of 189 hours and meets the requirements for the student to function as a Level 2 Police Reserve Officer. Cost: $1,250, $140 for uniform not included in fee. Please bring check, credit or debit card to orientation. Accepted for transfer between Martinez Adult Education and Monterey Peninsula College.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A DOJ clearance letter is required for all Module III, Module II and PC 832 Firearms The DOJ Letter must be dated within 90 days prior to the first day of class. 
• Deadline to sign up for classes requiring DOJ clearance is 14 days prior to the start.
• A valid California Drivers License is required for Modules III & II
• All classes subject to date modifications.  Course fees subject to change.
• Modules III and II are approved for VA benefits.

COST: $1,250

Leadership, Professionalism, and Ethics

Criminal Justice System

Principled Policing in the Community

Introduction to Criminal Law

Laws of Arrest

Search and Seizure

Presentation of Evidence

Investigative Report Writing

Vehicle Operations

Use of Force-Deescalation

Traffic Enforcement

Custody

Arrest and Control

First Aid, CPR and AED

Firearms-Chemical Agents

Information Systems

Crimes Against the Justice System

Cultural Diversity-Discrimination