The Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course provides students with the opportunity to complete many aspects of basic police training before being appointed as a police officer in New York State. Pre-employment training is achieved through a collaboration between a municipality and an accredited college, junior college, or two-year college having an active criminal justice, public safety program, or other similar or equivalent program registered and approved by the Department of Education. After being appointed by a law enforcement agency, a sworn officer who has completed the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course must complete the post appointment component of the training. (See: "After a student completes this course and is appointed as a police officer, what further training is required?")

Both civilians and sworn police officers may attend the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course.

Anyone who meets the entrance requirements establish by regulation and any further requirements established by the school conducting the program can attend. The minimum entrance requirements for students are:

• students must be citizens of the United States of America, or lawfully residing within the United States of America;
• students may not be convicted of a felony;
• there is no minimum or maximum age requirement for students; and
• students must possess either a high school diploma or a General Education Diploma (GED)

Although, a background investigation is not required, citizenship and possession of a high school diploma (or GED) must be verified by the school. Any determination to conduct student background investigations is solely at the discretion of the school.

Students must be provided with a clear written warning notice describing the conditions of this training program, and how those conditions will effect them immediately and in the future, including the fact that successful completion of the course is not a guarantee of employment as a police officer. (See: "If I successfully complete this course, am I guaranteed employment as a police officer?")

It is recommended that students are medically evaluated to determine that they are physically able to safely participate in fitness training and testing.

No. Pre-employment training is an alternative to the conventional basic police training model in New York State. Law enforcement administrators decide what method of basic training best suites their individual needs.

Within one year of appointment, a police officer must successfully complete the Basic Course for Police Officers. After being appointed by a law enforcement agency, a sworn officer who has completed the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course must complete the post appointment component of the training, which includes at a minimum law enforcement skills and supervised field training. Law enforcement agencies and academies may add topics and increase the length of post appointment training to meet their individual needs.

No. Successful completion of the course is not a guarantee of employment as a police officer. Training, including pre-employment training, is just one step in the process. Before being appointed as a police officer, a person must meet various New York State Civil Service Law requirements and appointing agency hiring standards, including minimum and maximum age and residency requirements. Additionally, candidates must take and successfully complete a written examination, a physical fitness examination and a medical examination that may include drug screening. Further, before being appointed as a police officer, a person may be required to submit to a psychological examination and a background investigation. A person with a criminal conviction or with a felony conviction may be disqualified from employment.

The decision to accept basic training completed in other states to satisfy basic police training requirements is made pursuant to the rules established by the state where a person is seeking appointment as a police officer, and the law enforcement agency considering that candidate.

Students should contact the school of their choice that is offering the course.

View the list of currently approved schools.