Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)

Program Description

This police academy certificate program exceeds the Colorado Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) requirements for peace officer entry level training. The individual training requirements for arrest control, law enforcement driving, and firearms are included in the program. Successful completion of all academic and skills training are required to take the CO POST Certification Exam. Students enrolled in the program will earn 31 credit hours that may be applied towards an associate’s or bachelor of applied science degree at Colorado Mesa University.

Special Requirements

This is a physically and academically rigorous 16-week program that requires full time participation and one hundred percent attendance during the weeks of enrollment. The program is not an open enrollment and requires a separate application to the academy. Students applying to the POST program must undergo a comprehensive background check and are selected to attend by the academy director. The selection process requires the submission of fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, as well as drug, personality, medical, and physical fitness testing. Additionally, criteria such as drug use (including marijuana), criminal record, driving, employment, and academic history are all reviewed. Agency sponsored students have priority seating.

See the academy director for details.

Contact Information

Director, Office of Student Services
WCCC, Bishop B102
2508 Blichmann Avenue
970.255.2670

CRJW 101 Basic Police Academy I4 Credits

Introduction to basic concepts required to meet Colorado POST standards and state police certification requirements. Skills associated with entry-level duties of a peace officer, including report writing, information gathering and overview of state laws and Constitutional Rights.

Prerequisites: Permission of Academy Director.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Fees: Yes.

CRJW 102 Basic Police Academy II5 Credits

Exploration of Colorado Revised Statutes, Constitutional Law and interview techniques required for state certification of an entry-level peace officer. Skills associated with observation, officer safety and ethics. Emphasis will be on simulating actual situations utilizing a lecture and laboratory mode of learning.

Prerequisites: Permission of Academy Director.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Fees: Yes.

CRJW 103 Basic Police Academy III7 Credits

Approaches to more complex situations an entry-level police officer might encounter including leadership, ethics, verbal de-escalation and application of Colorado laws. Skills associated with officer safety, report preparation and teamwork. Emphasis will be on simulating actual situations utilizing a lecture and laboratory mode of learning.

Prerequisites: Permission of Academy Director.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Fees: Yes.

CRJW 104 Basic Police Academy IV6 Credits

Exploration of investigative and interrogation techniques, courtroom testimony and judicial procedures, and responding to emergency situations. Skills associated with building clearing, crowd management, and crime scene documentation Conforms to POST standards and state certification requirements.

Prerequisites: Permission of Academy Director.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Fees: Yes.

CRJW 106 Arrest Control3 Credits

Skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to effectively maintain control of a suspect when making an arrest. Emphasizes the continuum of force and de-escalation of force.

Prerequisites: Permission of Academy Director.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Fees: Yes.

CRJW 107 Law Enforcement Driving2 Credits

Skills, knowledge, and abilities required for operation of a law enforcement vehicle. Emphasizes defensive driving. Enables students to demonstrate skills by driving a vehicle under simulated conditions.

Prerequisites: Permission of Academy Director.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Fees: Yes.

CRJW 108 Firearms3 Credits

Skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to safely use police firearms. Students will demonstrate skills by firing weapons on a firing range. The student will demonstrate basic safety techniques and will explain the firearms role within the continuum of force.

Prerequisites: Permission of Academy Director.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Fees: Yes.

CRJW 210 Emergency Dispatching4 Credits

Introduction to the basic fundamentals of emergency dispatching, to include basic principles of emergency communications operations and technology, call management and classification, legal aspects of dispatching, and stress management. Extensive practical training in police and fire emergency dispatching scenarios.

Prerequisites: ENGL 111, MATH 107 or higher, CRMJ 201, and permission of instructor.

CRJW 296 Topics1-8 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.