Police Academy

Police Academy provides students the opportunity to obtain a Bridgerland Technical College certificate. Highly skilled and trained professional members of law enforcement teach learning concepts and hands-on skills that allow academy cadets to meet the future needs of the Utah citizens and communities they will serve. Cadets are provided the instruction necessary to serve as special function officers, corrections officers, and law enforcement officers. This program supports the Bridgerland Technical College mission to deliver competency-based, employer-guided career and hands-on technical education to the Bear River region.

Objectives

• Maintain order and safety
• Protect life and property
• Act with professionalism and integrity
• Detect and suppress criminal acts

Most major law enforcement departments require completion before consideration for employment.

Special Function/Basic Correction Officer (1st Block): The training provides an excellent foot-in-the-door approach to a law enforcement career. Areas of study include legal subjects, patrol and criminal investigation procedures, arrest control techniques, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)/First Aid. Successful completion qualifies students to apply to work as a correctional officer in any county jail or state prison facility and becomes qualified to enter the Law Enforcement Officer training portion of the academy.

Law Enforcement Officer (2nd Block): In addition to enforcing laws, police officers are primarily responsible for protecting lives and property. Upon successful completion, students will be prepared to respond to calls, conduct traffic stops, issue citations, arrest suspects, investigate domestic issues, write detailed reports, patrol, give first aid to accident victims, and more. Highly qualified instructors provide professional experiences that bring the topics to life – taking students from the traditional classroom and providing real-world, hands-on training.

Most major law enforcement departments require the completion of this training before consideration for employment. Some local agencies may reimburse some or all training costs. Enrollment is limited to those individuals who have successfully completed the Special Function Officer Training.

Steps for Applying

• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of certification as a Special Function Officer
• Have evidence of a high school diploma, GED, or recognized equivalent
• Fill out the BTECH Admission Form. 
• Take the National Peace Officer Standards and Training (NPOST) exam consisting of math, reading, grammar and report writing. For an appointment, call the Bridgerland Technical College Assessment Center at 435-750-3188. Test scores are good indefinitely.
• Submit completed application via the POST Applicant Portal on or before the application deadline of November 15 at 3 p.m.
• Meet with the Police Academy Director for an advisement interview.

To certify with Peace Officer Standards Training (POST), students must:

• Pass all written exams at 80% or higher,
• Pass physical skills such as Defensive Tactics and Firearms at 80% or higher;
• Pass the physical fitness standards as designated by POST (different for each block of training);
• Must maintain acceptable attendance (not miss more than 40 hours of the program); and,
• Maintain high level of moral character.