Criminal Justice and Public Safety
FLORIDA LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ACADEMY
Career Certificate
Change lives, starting with your own.
Law enforcement officers work in an environment that offers new challenges each day. Their duties include enforcing the law, responding to calls, and the personally rewarding aspects of protecting citizens and maintaining order within the communities they serve.
The curriculum is prescribed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission in accordance with Florida Statutes. Upon completion of the program, candidates will be eligible to take the state exam for law enforcement officer.
Why SJR State?
- Experienced Faculty including retired FBI, Sheriff’s Office Command Staff, and military veterans.
- Graduates include a local sheriff and chiefs of police.
- Academy graduates surpass the state certification exam average: Law Enforcement average over 95% passage rate.
- Approximately 90% of employed graduates work for agencies in Northeast Florida.
Our Law Enforcement Partners
- St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
- Clay County Sheriff’s Office
- Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
- St. Augustine Police Department
- St. Augustine Beach Police Department
- Orange Park Police Department
- Green Cove Springs Police Department
- Palatka Police Department
- Interlachen Police Department
- Welaka Police Department
- Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind Campus Police Department
Special admission requirements - APPLY EARLY!
Timothy Adams, J.D.
Dean of Criminal Justice and Public Safety
and Director of the St. Augustine Campus
Program Details
Program Code: 5005
Next Academy Class Information:
Overview: Day Class will meet 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. (subject to changes)
The class will run from January 7, 2026 – June 16, 2026
Application period opens: September 29, 2025
Deadline to apply: November 21, 2025
BMST: December 8, 2025
Acceptance decisions: December 8, 2025
Orientation: December 10, 2025
Start of classes: January 7, 2026
Requirements: See Catalog
Location: St. Augustine Campus
Are you currently a corrections officer? Consider our cross-over training.
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER CROSS-OVER TRAINING TO FLORIDA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY (0544)
Program Requirements: See Catalog
Application: Cross-Over Program
CORRECTIONAL PROBATION OFFICER CROSS-OVER TRAINING TO FLORIDA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY (0547)
Program Requirements: See Catalog
Application: Cross-Over Program
The SJR State advantage
Ask any student and they will tell you that confidence is gained from experience. It is what instructors and employers call the "competitive edge."
- State-of-the-art simulators, forensics labs, and equipment provide the latest hands-on training
- Instructors are current professionals in their field
- Are you a Veteran? Find out how to use your GI Bill® toward your education
The Basic Law Enforcement Academy has limited availability. Admission is not guaranteed. In circumstances when the number of applications is greater than the number of available slots for a class, a point system approved by the college’s Board of Trustees will be applied to determine the applicants who are accepted into the class.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
How to Apply
(1) Apply to SJR State*
• When completing your application, choose one (1) primary program of study (Law Enforcement Officer). Please do not choose a secondary program.
(2) Order your official High School Transcripts.
•You’ll need to request and submit official high school or GED transcripts either directly to the Record’s Office, or you can bring the sealed transcripts in with your Law Enforcement Academy Application and the Criminal Justice Department can forward them to Records for you.
(3) Upload your Florida Residency Declaration Form and a clear copy of two (2) tier documents for the claimant to your student application profile.
• See page 1 of the residency form for instructions and acceptable documents.
• If you have any questions about Florida residency for tuition purposes, please contact the Admissions Office at 386-312-4030 or email AdmissionsDept@sjrstate.edu,
(4) Complete the Canvas New Student Orientation to clear the SJRState application requirements.
(5) Take and pass the Law Enforcement Officer Basic Abilities Test (BAT)
• Please be advised that BAT scores are valid for four (4) years to the date. The test costs $39.
• As of July 1, 2022, section 943.17(1)(g) states that any candidate wishing to enter a Law Enforcement Academy that either is a veteran as classified in section 1.01(14), F.S., or holds an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university is not required to take the Law Enforcement Basic Abilities Test. Please note that veteran is defined as being honorably discharged from military service. No other discharge classifications qualify. Please note that this does not apply to candidates wishing to enter a corrections academy.
• To receive the above-mentioned exemption, please include a copy of your DD214 or a sealed and official copy of your college transcripts with your Law Enforcement Academy Application.
(6) Complete the Physician’s Assessment, CJSTC-75
• Please note that medical insurance is mandatory, and information must be provided as part of the application process.
(7) Turn in your completed Florida Law Enforcement Academy Application Packet to the Criminal Justice Training Center (Building J) on the St. Augustine campus
• Applications will not be accepted if there are any missing items, so please double check before coming in.
(8) While submitting your application to the Criminal Justice Training Center, you will also be required to pay for and complete Fingerprinting ($60) and pay for the scheduled Basic Motor Skills Test ($30). Proof of purchase must be provided.
• It is encouraged to use the BMST outline within the application packet to begin practicing ahead of time.
* Visit our SSN Web page for more information regarding the College's use of Social Security Numbers.