Basic Law Enforcement Academy

One of modern society's most difficult responsibilities is the enforcement of laws and the protection of lives and property while at the same time respecting the constitutional rights of society as a whole and the individual. Carefully selected, highly trained and motivated peace officers are fundamental to this responsibility. In today's society the increasingly diverse challenges and changing service demands confronting law enforcement require that effective initial training is crucial if an officer is to acquire the critical knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to render a high quality of service. This program includes a nine hundred ten-hour Police Science class certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and administered by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department in collaboration with the Ventura County Community College District (Ventura College), as well as an eighty-hour orientation course (POSC V01A). POSC V01 is a basic training course required by POST for all new law enforcement officers in the state of California. The Academy, called the Regular Basic Course (RBC), is presented in an intensive format; 5 days per week, 8 hours per day, for 24 weeks. Successful completion is mandatory for students interested in becoming peace officers. The state screening requirements for admission into the RBC are taking and passing a reading and writing ability test for entry into the RBC (scores will be used to determine if applicants are able to read and write at levels necessary to perform the job of Peace Officer), have attained the age of at least 18 years old, a physical examination, Department of Justice/Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check and clearance, a valid California drivers license with no restrictions, never have been convicted of a felony, and successfully passing the POST Physical Agility Test. The RBC is required by POST. It is found in the POST Training and Testing Specifications, Division 2 of Title 11 of the California Code of Regulations, and numerous California Penal Code (PC) and Government Code (GC) sections relating to POST and POST training requirements. It is the mission (goal) of the RBC to prepare entry level law enforcement trainees mentally, morally, emotionally and physically for entry into a field training program, assume the responsibilities, and execute the duties of a peace officer in society.