The basic law enforcement academy is a job training program certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) and accredited by Napa Valley College. Graduates earn 24 units of transferable credit. Completion of the Basic Academy is required in order to be hired as a full time peace officer or level 1 reserve peace officer in California. The Criminal Justice Training Program offers the Basic Academy in two different formats including both day and evening programs. Both academy formats have the same content, testing and graduation standards, but are scheduled differently in order to meet the needs of our cadets.

The day time intensive format academy is a 22-week program offered twice per year and meets from 7:00 AM until 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. This program is intended for those cadets who are not working a full time job or who are being sponsored by a law enforcement agency.

The evening extended format academy is now available in a new format! This academy class meets on Tuesday and Thursday night from 6PM until 10PM and on Saturdays from 8:00AM until 5:00PM over a 12 month period. This academy is ideal for students working full time and who are seeking a career change. The academy includes every aspect of the intensive format academy, but on a schedule that allows for work and family life.