Recruit Academy Training

Recruit academy training provides a critical and important entry point for individuals entering the profession of policing. For many, recruit academy training—basic police training comprised of specialized courses that are designed to train and certify new recruits—offers the first step in learning how to deal with the complexities and challenges facing officers. Few training opportunities, such as academy training, have the ability to shape, form, and instill the values, principles, and community-oriented policing philosophy needed in providing effective community policing. The extensive length of time, comprehensive course content, and personal commitment in attending academy training creates a unique opportunity that is seldom replicated or achieved in an officer’s career. This entry briefly discusses the history of recruit academy training, the structure and requirements of modern ...