From Cazenovia College:
Cazenovia College’s Phase I Police Training Academy will offer an informational meeting for persons interested in entering the field of law enforcement in New York State, on Thursday, July 17 at 7 p.m., at the Kirkland Senior Citizen’s Center on New Street in Clark Mills, N.Y.; and a second session on Thursday, July 24 at 7 p.m., at Cazenovia College, in Hubbard Hall on Seminary Street in Cazenovia.
The information session will provide a forum for interested individuals to ask questions and obtain more information about Cazenovia College’s Phase I Police Pre-Employment Basic Training. Registration and information packets will be available for the next Phase I training session, which is scheduled to begin on Sept. 20, 2008 at Cazenovia College.
The program is designed for current civilian or non-sworn personnel who are interested in becoming police officers in New York State. Every standard required by a full-time basic police academy applies to this program, including physical fitness, attendance and academics. Twenty-three participants in the 2007-2008 program graduated in June and 15 of these graduates have already been hired as police officers in the region.
Cazenovia College began the program in 2004, in partnership with the Little Falls Police Department, after receiving approval from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The curriculum meets all requirements established by the Municipal Police Training Council.
All aspects of regular academy training are essentially the same, except students are not sworn police officers and enter the program as civilians. Upon graduation from the program, each student receives a transcript and certificate indicating that he or she has completed Phase I of the Police Pre-Employment Basic Training. The certification allows two years for the student to secure employment in a police department and complete the Phase II portion of the training before being awarded a full Basic School Certificate from DCJS.
“Regular police academy training takes a considerable amount of time out of a person’s life,” said Virginia Felleman, chair of the Center of Continuing Education at Cazenovia College. “The Cazenovia College program has been very successful with its adult learning model that promotes a highly interactive learning environment, but also allows the student to continue with whatever work he or she is involved in with limited intrusion.”
The program is approved by the Veteran’s Administration and provides the same training as full-time programs offered by other agencies. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. A completed physician’s statement along with proof of immunization will be required at the time of application to the program. For more information, contact the Cazenovia College Center of Continuing Education at (315) 655-7287.