Peace Officers Academy

Fall 2013 Academy

The 16-week Fall Academy begins on Monday, August 19, 2013

Cadets will graduate on Wed, December 4, 2013

The Western Colorado Peace Officers Academy (WCPOA) prepares individuals for careers as police officers, deputy sheriffs, parole officers, corrections officers, wildlife managers, probations officers, as well as careers in Federal and State of Colorado law enforcement agencies.

The WCPOA is one of Colorado's best academies

Why? Our Academy was jointly founded by the Grand Junction Police Department, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office and the 21st Judicial District Attorney's Office. Each Academy has up to 90 different instructors!

Program Strengths

Sixteen-week certificate program
Graduates are Certified Colorado Peace Officers eligible for hire anywhere in Colorado
Academy graduates earn 37 college credits
This is the only academy in Colorado that articulates to A. A. S. degree in Criminal Justice, B.A. concentration in Law Enforcement, and B.A.S in Public Safety/Public Administration

The WCPOA exceeds the requirements set by Colorado Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST)

In addition to rigorous classroom education, we use adult learning models emphasizing real-world policing scenarios. You practice what you learn!

Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Approved

A Message from the Director

Contact Information

Bill Gardner , Academy Director
970.255.2821
wgardner@coloradomesa.edu

Sample 16 week POST Academy schedule

Refresher Academy

For out-of-state peace officers or expired Colorado peace officers

2013 Refresher Academy June 3 - June 15, 2013

(Please see Refresher application packet below/right under WCPOA FORMS )

2013 Refresher Academy Schedule

The Western Colorado Peace Officers Academy (WCPOA) will be holding a Refresher Academy from June 3rd to June 15th, 2013. Our class size is limited to 20 students. The price is $1800 with housing or $1500 without housing. This price includes all instruction, facilities, manuals, ammunition, use of academy handguns, duty gear, two academy t-shirts, and the P.O.S.T. exam fee. Students will need to obtain the most current edition of the Colorado Peace Officer’s Handbook, which is available at the Colorado Mesa University bookstore (970-248-1422) or online. Training includes all of the required P.O.S.T courses of Driving, Firearms, and Arrest Control Techniques.