Florida Law Enforcement Certification Programs with School Options

Men and women who crave a career in law enforcement in Florida must complete a formal training program on their journey toward state certification. Two academic institutions offering the necessary education are St. Petersburg College and Valencia Community College.

St. Petersburg College's Law Enforcement Certification Program

St. Petersburg College's law enforcement training program is offered at its Allstate Center, which opened in 1991 and is home to the Southeastern Public Safety Institute (SEPSI). SEPSI is an approved training center of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and its curriculum is recommended by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

Law Enforcement Academy

Students can expect to spend 22 weeks in this program, totaling 790 hours. Topics include investigations, weaponry, defensive coordination, patrol methods and vehicle operations. Graduates may find employment as public safety administrators, police officers and security service coordinators. They are qualified to pursue state certification.

Valencia Community College's Law Enforcement Certification Program

Valencia Community College is located in Orlando and has four main campuses and two centers. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Division of Criminal Justice Standards and Training approves the school's Criminal Justice Institute, which includes the Basic Law Enforcement Academy.

Basic Law Enforcement Academy

This program prepares individuals who are at least 19 years old to become deputy sheriffs and police officers, or to fulfill related entry-level roles. Participants learn how to enforce the law, conduct an offense investigation, operate vehicles and fire a stun gun. In terms of communication, they must learn how to interview a witness, testify in court and write a report. Aspiring law enforcement officials also must participate in field exercises to handle firearms, perform first aid, conduct traffic stops and arrest suspects. They learn to assess a crime scene and collect evidence, including processing relevant information and gathering fingerprints.

The daytime program is 19 weeks in length, and the evening program is nine months in length. The state requires a score of 80% accuracy on its examination for law enforcement certification.

Careers in Law enforcement

If you aspire to a career in federal law enforcement, you'll need to be 21 - 37 years old and, in many cases, hold a bachelor's degree. FBI agents must also be fluent in a foreign language, hold a degree in accounting or law or possess 3 years of relevant work experience.

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Higher Education in Florida

Full-time enrollment at public, 4-year universities in the state of Florida totals more than 250,000. Full-time undergraduates paid an average of $3,361 in tuition and fees during the 2007-2008 academic year.