The Arizona law enforcement agencies are hiring officers at an astonishing rate and it’s never been a better time to start your career in law enforcement.
The best police academies in Arizona can help you become a member of one of the state’s finest law enforcement agencies.
It can also open the door to any number of career opportunities, from detective work to undercover investigations, depending on where you want to be stationed.
In this article, we have listed in full detail, the best police academies in Arizona to get into.
What is a Police Academy?
A police academy is a training institution that trains prospective law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and other public safety personnel.
Although each jurisdiction and state has its own set of requirements for someone to be employed as a police officer, most academies require students to have a high school diploma or equivalent and hold a valid driver’s license.
How long is the police academy in Arizona?
The length of police academies varies from state to state. The national average is 20 weeks, but some states require less than that.
In Arizona, for example, aspiring officers must complete a 12-week academy; cadets spend most of their time studying topics like criminal law and physical fitness.
What are Arizona police academy requirements?
In order to become a certified police officer in Arizona, there are a number of requirements you need to meet.
- Applicants should be over 21 years of age.
- Applicants should possess at least 60 credit hours of undergraduate studies
- Most academies require their candidates to provide a high school diploma or GED
- Candidates must pass a written exam based on Arizona POST’s standards as well as undergo physical fitness testing, fingerprinting, and an extensive background check.
What are the best Police Academies in Arizona?
Here is the top list of the best police training academies in Arizona for you to make a more informed decision.
- Phoenix Regional Police Academy
- Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center
- Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board
- Maricopa County Sheriff’s Training Center
- Western Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy
- Navajo Police Training Academy
Phoenix Regional Police Academy
Phoenix Regional is one of the best police academies in Arizona and has been educating police officers.
The school is well-respected and a leader in law enforcement training. This academy trains students to be police officers, paramedics, or firefighters.
About 40 cadets graduate each year, according to its website.
Instructors are former cops and firefighters with many years of experience who bring a real-world sensibility to their jobs.
The course itself is comprehensive; cadets spend their first year at the academy in classes learning about things like:
- Criminal justice
- Policing, and even
- Traffic accident investigations.
In order for them to become certified at graduation, they have to pass a physical fitness test as well as a background check from Internal Affairs.
Contact details:
Address: 10001 S 15th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85041, United States
Phone: +1 602-262-7122
Also Read: The 9 Best Police Academies in Alabama To Get Started
Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center
Tucson’s Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center is one of the most highly regarded police academies in Tucson Arizona.
With state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, SALEETC trains officers from across America.
Their physical training program will push you to your limits, and their firearms training program is second to none.
If you want a world-class education and law enforcement career, go here.
Contact details:
Address: 10001 S Wilmot Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756, United States
Phone: +1 520-791-4464
Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board
The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, or POST, is responsible for issuing all state police licenses as well as maintaining training standards.
The agency also handles discipline for law enforcement officers who violate established rules.
As an aspiring officer, you’ll first need to apply to become a peace officer by submitting a packet of documents that includes your application, personal history statement, and fingerprint cards.
Next, comes eight weeks of basic police academy training followed by field training (lasting up to three months) under supervision before you can become fully licensed.
Contact details:
Address: 2643 E University Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85034, United States
Phone: +1 602-223-2514
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Training Center
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Training Center is one of the police academies in Arizona located in Phoenix.
This institution offers both full-time and part-time programs for police cadets.
The degree program leads to certification as a law enforcement officer, allowing graduates to join other agencies like local police or state patrol.
Both FTO (Field Training Officer) and regular police training are offered at MCTC, with a strong focus on practical experience.
Contact details:
Address: 2627 S 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003, United States
Phone: +1 602-876-1801
Also Read: Top 10 Best Police Academies in Illinois
Western Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy
The Western Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy (WALETA) is one of the police academies in Lake Havasu City, Arizona that offers academy training to law enforcement personnel from all over Arizona.
Though its home base, WALETA can accommodate out-of-state students.
The style of training here is paramilitary and is designed to instill self-discipline and introduce stress to our police recruits.
WALETA’s facility is a former Air Force base that includes:
- Classrooms
- Simulators and
- An indoor firing range
These facilities are available for full use by students during academy training.
Contact details:
Address: 1801 AZ-95, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406, United States
Phone: +1 928-854-9273
As the name suggests, Navajo Police Training Academy is one of the top police training academies in Arizona and is located on Navajo land.
This institution is open to all who want to pursue a career in law enforcement in Arizona. This academy can prepare you for any position within law enforcement.
The training is intense but not so much that those with busy schedules cannot attend. In fact, they have many night classes offered, as well as distance learning programs.
Instructors are all sworn police officers who work in both state and local agencies.
Contact details:
Address: Chinle, AZ 86503, United States
Phone: +1 928-674-2520
Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestions
Here are some of the related questions to this topic;
Do you get paid while in the police academy in Arizona?
No, You do not get paid while attending any of the police academies in Arizona. The academy usually lasts between four and nine months, depending on your specific program.
During that time, you’ll learn all of the skills you need to be an effective police officer.
How much does an Arizona state trooper make?
According to azdps.gov, as a cadet trooper, you can earn a yearly salary of $64,118.08 while in training and upon graduation and certification, a cadet will be promoted to a trooper with an increased salary of $65,382.72*
How much does the Arizona Police Academy cost?
Different police academies have their distinctive costs, for example, according to azleg.gov, the Phoenix Regional Police Academy (PRPA) estimates that it costs approximately $28,000 to train each recruit.
Is the police fitness test hard?
Yes, police academy fitness requirements are notoriously difficult to pass! If you want to get into a good police academy, you’ll need to know your way around a gym.
So if you don’t have experience with lifting weights and cardiovascular exercise, it’s time to start—and sooner is better than later!
Conclusion
There are many reasons to consider a police career.
Becoming a police officer can be physically demanding, intellectually challenging, and stressful, but these challenges can also be invigorating and satisfying.
Regardless of your gender or age, there are plenty of law enforcement jobs available throughout Arizona.
If you’re interested in becoming a police officer, the best way is to attend any of the police academies in Arizona.
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