WELCOME TO
Río Hondo Police Academy
Only The Strong Survive
ABOUT THE ACADEMY
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Developing leaders in law enforcement who deliver quality community-based policing since 1964
Our Academy program follows the guidelines of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and serves law enforcement agencies throughout Southern California. The Río Hondo College Regional Training Center provides recruits with the academic skills, practical scenario training, physical training and discipline to prepare them for a career in law enforcement, and other public safety disciplines. The six-month academy program utilizes the latest technology, equipment and instructional techniques in its delivery of 21st century police training.
The Academy program trains pre-service recruits that are either sponsoring themselves through the academy or are employed and being sponsored by a law enforcement agency.
Academy Dates
- Class 216 – Graduation Date: July 3, 2024 *
- Class 217 – Start Date: September 18, 2024 – Graduation Date: TBD *
* Intensive Basic Academy Session
The intensive basic academy is a full time, 950-hour intensive course that satisfies the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) minimum training requirements for California entry-level peace officers. This course typically meet Tuesdays-Saturdays, 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and is approximately six months in duration. It is designed for peace officer recruits who can dedicate their full attention to the intensive Police Academy.
The full-time Academy requires a strong commitment by recruits. Upon graduation, cadets receive a certificate of completion which enables them to qualify for any police department in the state of California. Numerous police agencies recruit from each Academy class. Many pre-service cadets are
hired while still attending the Academy.
The approximate total cost for the Academy is $5,500.
Information Meetings
Attending an information meeting is the first step in applying to the Police Academy. If your intent is to apply to an upcoming academy class, attendance to the information meeting is mandatory. The address is:
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601
The information meetings are held in-person on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at the Police Academy, located in the Administration of Justice building (signs will be posted indicating meeting classroom location).
- On the first Wednesday, the meeting is at 12:00 p.m.
- On the third Wednesday, the meeting is at 7:00 p.m.
Minimum Standards for Employment
The minimum selection standards for peace officers in California are set forth in Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031.
Every California peace officer must:
- be free of any felony convictions;
- be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship (CHP officers must be US citizens at time of appointment);
- be at least 21 years of age;
- be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record;
- be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation;
- be a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or have attained a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited
- institution; and
- be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
Get STARTED
Please fill out this interest form and an academy representative will reach out with more information and answer any questions you may have.