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Signing up is easy.  Simply the email address where you want to receive our mail, your name, and then click all of the boxes on the list that apply to you and your interest.

You will receive an email immediately asking you to confirm your registration by clicking a link found in that email.

Thank you for your interest in the Napa Valley College Criminal Justice Training Center.

Military veterans are highly desirable candidates because of the experience and training they have acquired while in the service.  Experience has shown us that military veterans transition into civilian law enforcement and corrections careers with relative ease.  Veterans are highly motivated students and usually arrive at our academy in above average physical shape. 

The Criminal Justice Training Center at Napa Valley College offers a full array of entry level state certified training academies to prepare you for a career in law enforcement or corrections once you separate from the military. 

Basic Police Academy – Train To A Police Officer Or Deputy Sheriff
Corrections Academy – Train To Be A Correctional Officer
9-1-1 Dispatcher – Train To Be A Law Enforcement Dispatcher

We are located on a college campus that is ready and able to work with military veterans.  Our training center staff is excited about your return and wants to help you start planning for your next career.  Our campus offers students direct access to financial aid and personnel who can help you collect your G.I. Bill benefits.  We have a student health center that offers many free physical and mental health services to students.  Our counseling office provides educational planning services to help you transfer your prior educational credits and will help you plan for earning a college degree or for transfer to a four-year college.  Our college is actively developing other support services for you.  Take a look at what we have to offer so far.

Napa Valley College Counseling Services
Napa Valley College Financial Aid
Napa Valley College Health Services
Napa Valley College Veterans Benefits

You can begin planning for a law enforcement or corrections career while you are still in the military.  There are two options for getting into a basic training academy for police officer, deputy sheriff, or correctional officer.  The first option is to apply for a “trainee” position with a city or county that hires and pays students to attend an academy.  This is an excellent option if you already know what city or county you want to work for.  The second option is to put yourself through an academy and to use your G.I. Bill benefits to pay for your expenses.  This option allows you to explore your options and consider jobs anywhere in California.  Many smaller police departments do not have trainee positions and hire only applicants who have already completed the police academy.  You can explore job opportunities at law enforcement agencies that interest you by reviewing their individual websites.  Click here for a list of law enforcement agency links.

Napa Valley College also offers an Associates Degree in the Administration of Justice.  Almost all of the Administration of Justice courses may be taken online from any location in the world with Internet access.  If you are going to be in the military for a more extended period of time, you can get a head start by enrolling in one or more of these online courses.  To enroll, simply complete an online admissions application.  Once admitted to the college, you can register for classes during the normal registration period.

Click here to complete an online admissions application
Click here to see a schedule of classes and to register

For those veterans interested in the Basic Police Academy Program, there are some steps you can take to prepare yourself before your release from the military.

Click here to review the Application Process For The Basic Police Academy
Click here to review the two Basic Police Academy formats
Click here to review the start dates for upcoming classes

Military veterans must meet the entrance requirements for the Basic Police Academy Program including demonstrating academic and physical readiness like all other applicants.  We offer the entrance exam on a monthly basis and the results are valid for one year.  If you are home on leave, you could take this test in anticipation of your release from the military. 

Click here to register for the next entrance exam

Military veterans must also complete a criminal history clearance like all other applicants.  This clearance must be completed in California and no sooner than 6 months before the first day the academy class begins.

The Basic Police Academy Program is eligible for funding by the G.I. Bill as well as other financial aid services.  In all cases, individual students are responsible for paying the course fees up front.  Applicants must make arrangements for collecting reimbursement from the G.I. Bill through the college’s Financial Aid Office.

Click here to learn more about veterans’ benefits

We realize that every individual veteran has a unique set of circumstances and we are ready to start working with you to make your career aspirations a reality.  You can always call our offices at 707-253-3255 or stop by if you are in the area.

Our advanced law enforcement classes require that you have completed the Basic Police Academy or be currently employed by a law enforcement agency before enrolling in these courses. For questions about course content and rigor, please call the In-Service Training Coordinator at 707-253-3287.

Law enforcement agencies may register sponsored students online. Click Here To Register

Self-sponsored students must register in person at the Criminal Justice Training Center. Course fees are due in full at the time of registration. Cancellations received 15 business days prior to the first day of class are eligible for a full refund. All fees are non-refundable within 15 business days of the first day of class. This class requires a minimum enrollment of students. Should the class be cancelled, students will be notified 15 business days prior to the first day of class.

ALL STUDENTS, including sponsored agency personnel, enrolling in a course providing college credit who have not taken courses at Napa Valley College within the last two years must complete an online Application For Admissions before the first day of class.

Click Here To Complete An Online Admissions Application To The College

Click Here To Download The 2012 Course Calendar
Click Here To Download The 2013 Course Calendar

Napa Valley College career technical education programs are open and available to all students regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Admission requirements for Napa Valley College career technical education programs are described in the current Napa Valley College catalog. The Napa Valley College Title IX officer is Kevin Luckey (Phone: 707-259-4514, Room 609). The Section 504 compliance officer is Rebecca Scott (Phone: 707-256-7438, Room 1735-C).

Many attributes set our Training Center apart from others, but the one of which I am most proud is our focus on students and student success.  We put students first in everything that we do.  Our instructional staff includes over 100 part time law enforcement, corrections, and legal professionals.  We require all of our instructors to complete state certified instructional skills training because we believe students learn best by doing.  Our graduates’ course evaluations consistently praise the high quality of their learning experience at our Training Center.

The law enforcement and corrections profession is constantly evolving and we fully participate in this evolution by training on the latest instructional and learning techniques using state-of-the-art technology and best subject matter experts available.  Our educational philosophy places a heavy emphasis on leadership, ethics, and community policing in all aspects of our curriculum.  We recognize the dangerous nature of our profession and emphasize officer safety in every class and in every program.

Whether you are looking for training to be a police officer, 911 dispatcher, paralegal, correctional officer, or probation officer, I invite you to explore what we have to offer you through this website.  Additionally, I extend to you, my personal invitation to visit our facility to see for yourself what we can do prepare you for a rewarding career.  

Damien Sandoval, Director

Spring Hill Suites 707-253-1900 – Offers government rate year round
Fairfield Inn & Suites Napa American Canyon 707-643-3800  – Ask for government rate
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Napa Valley 707-652-7848 – Ask for Government Rate
Hawthorne Suites 707-226-1878 – Offers government rate weekdays year round
Staybridge Suites Fairfield 707-863-0900 – Offers government rate year round

Click Here For Travel Directions

The Criminal Justice Training Center is located on the main campus of Napa Valley College on the first floor of the 1000 building, in the back (west side) of the campus next the jogging track and tennis courts. Need more specific directions?

Click Here For A Campus Map

Parking is available on campus and a permit is required.  Daily permits are available at machines located throughout the parking area. 

Click Here To Learn More About Parking And Permits

The Criminal Justice Training Center is a division of Napa Valley College. The Center serves as the regional law enforcement training program for Napa and Solano counties. The programs are certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) and are accredited by the Napa Valley College. The Criminal Justice Training Center is guided an Advisory Committee composed of the law enforcement agency executives from Napa and Solano County. The Advisory Committee plays a major role in setting standards and training requirements for the programs offered by the Center.

Students at the Criminal Justice Training Center can enjoy all of the facilities at Napa Valley College including many forms of recreation including tennis courts, basketball courts, and a scenic 3-mile jogging trail that runs adjacent the Napa River.

The Criminal Justice Training Center staff is committed to promoting student success through a positive and supportive learning environment using a variety of approaches that develop individual character, self-confidence, self-discipline, and critical thinking skills.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Criminal Justice Training Center is to provide its students the highest quality training possible. We strive to provide the best opportunity for students’ success in meeting basic and advanced training requirements and for enhancing job performance. The Criminal Justice Training Center staff is committed to promoting student success through a positive and supportive learning environment using a variety of approaches that develop individual character, self-confidence, self-discipline, and critical thinking skills. We recognize the critical role and responsibilities of the Justice System in today’s society and will continue to maintain the highest ethical and performance standards to meet the needs of our community.

Click Here For Our Educational Philosophy
Click Here For Our Organizational Values

The Criminal Justice Training Center is committed to developing an instructional and support staff that reflects the local law enforcement profession and greater communities of Napa and Solano County.  We believe is selecting the most qualified individuals to lead our students.  We are interested in applicants who are highly ethical, who are leaders in their community and work place, and who understand and believe in the community policing philosophy.  We value applicants who have demonstrated flexibility, loyalty, and who enjoy being on the front edge of innovation and change.

Generally, anyone interested in a position with the training center must first submit a letter of interest, professional resume, a letter of recommendation from a supervisor, and three references.  The letter of interest should include detail about what specific job the applicant is interested in and what specific topics the applicant is qualified to teach.  Resumes must includes detail demonstrating that the applicant has met the minimum qualifications as described on the job announcement.  The most qualified applicants will be invited for an oral board interview.  Applicants for instructional positions will typically be asked to provide a teaching demonstration as part of the interview process.

Finalists will be asked to complete a college application for employment and must be approved by the college office of instruction and office of human resources.  All applicants are subject to a background investigation.  All employees must complete the training center’s new employee orientation program as a final step in the hiring process and before being assigned to work.

Everyone working at the Criminal Justice Training Center is an employee of the Napa Valley Community College District.  All processes associated with recruitment and selection of employees comply with the policies and practices of the Napa Valley Community College District.

Job Announcements For Current Vacancies:

None at this time.  Please check back to this page for new announcements.

A $400.00 non-refundable deposit is required to hold a seat in any Academy class. Deposits must be paid in cash, by credit card, or with a money order. Personal checks are not accepted. The entire deposit is applied directly to the fees due leaving a remaining balance.

Students must purchase a uniform and equipment voucher prior to the start of the academy. This voucher is non-refundable after purchase. The Class “A” and “B” uniform is provided by redeeming this voucher at Quinn’s Uniforms in Vacaville.

A payment plan for the balance of the tuition is available through the academy. Cadets are responsible for their own transportation and lodging.

Students are required to have access to the internet and an electronic mail account. It is highly recommended that students have their own computer, however, computers with internet access are available on campus.

Financial Aid is available through the College Financial Aid Office. Many cadets are eligible for a Board of Governors’ grant, as well as other grants that will fund the entire cost of the program. Student loans are also available through the Financial Aid Office. Are you an active or former member of the military? The Basic Police Academy qualifies for funding from the G.I. Bill. Do not let the cost of the program stand in your way, call 707-253-3020 for further information.

Long term housing is available through a special offer from the Hawthorn Inn and Suites located six blocks from the training center. Contact the manager for specific details. 1-800-527-1133.