About the Program – Sponsoring Agencies
The Madison County Regional Phase I Police Academy is offered through SUNY Morrisville, with the assistance of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and the New York State University Police. It is designed for current civilian or non-sworn New York State residents who are interested in entering the law enforcement field as a police officer in New York State. Although the program does not guarantee admission into a police department, every standard required in a full-time basic police academy applies, including physical fitness, attendance and academics.
Training is conducted by certified police instructors or approved instructors. SUNY Morrisville provides professional instructors from both the police community and the College to facilitate the appropriate learning environment and meet the rigid standards of the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates receive a transcript and a certificate indicating completion of Phase I of Pre-Employment Police Basic Training. The certificate gives program graduates two years to secure employment in a police department and complete the Phase II portion of the training before being awarded a full Basic School Certificate from the DCJS.
SUNY Morrisville Police Academy has been approved by DCJS to host a Phase II Police Academy for eligible Police Agency Sponsored Recruits. The program is scheduled to be held in the Spring with the majority of the instruction administered in eight hour-blocks. Instruction will be held on the SUNY Morrisville campus and at various off-site training locations. Course instructors are all DCJS certified and are either current or former law enforcement officers from the New York State Police, State University Police, Madison County Sheriff's Office, and various other agencies. Tuition cost will be $750 per recruit. In addition to tuition fees, recruits and/or sponsoring agencies will be responsible for providing firearms, three magazines, duty belt, body armor, Taser, collapsible baton, and handgun, rifle, and shotgun ammunition for each recruit. For more information, please contact our office at 315.684.6003.
During the Phase II training, police officers must be presented with the three remaining units of the Basic Course for Police Officers, including but not limited to: Counter-Terrorism for Recruit Police Officers; Firearms Training; and Supervised Field Training Review and Orientation. In addition, each police officer must be presented Impact Device Training and Testing for at least eight hours.
The Concept
Several years ago, many small police departments throughout New York State petitioned the DCJS and the Governor’s Office for help in alleviating the costs of training police officers throughout the state.
Previously, all agencies had to first hire new police officers, send them to a municipal police academy and equip them, while paying their salaries. Small departments found the cost of training too cumbersome.
Pre-Employment Police Basic Training is not a new concept. Thirty-seven other states in the United States conduct it with great success. It relieves law enforcement agencies of the burden and expense of providing Phase I training, but all aspects of regular academy training are essentially the same, except that the student is not a sworn police officer and enters the program as a civilian.
Standards for Successful Completion
In order for a cadet to receive a Phase I certificate of completion, classroom and physical standards must be met before the end of training.
Classroom and Academic Standards
Cadets must meet the minimum passing scores for all exams (generally 75%, though some may require a passing score of 100%) and meet the minimum proficiency standards in all applicable areas (defensive tactics, etc.).
Physical Standards
Cadets are required to meet the following 50th percentile Cooper standards. It is strongly recommended that each cadet be as close as possible to these standards before enrolling in the program.
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Physical Standards for Cadets
| Sex | Age | Sit-Ups (1 Minute) | PushUps | 1.5 Mile Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 20-29 | 40 | 33 | 11:58 |
| Male | 30-39 | 36 | 27 | 12:24 |
| Male | 40-49 | 31 | 21 | 13:12 |
| Male | 50-59 | 26 | 15 | 14:23 |
| Male | 60+ | 20 | 15 | 15:56 |
| Female | 20-29 | 35 | 18 | 14:04 |
| Female | 30-39 | 27 | 14 | 14:34 |
| Female | 40-49 | 22 | 11 | 15:34 |
| Female | 50-59 | 17 | 9 | 17:19 |
| Female | 60+ | 8 | 9 | 19:04 |
Cadet Entrance Requirements
Civilians or sworn police officers may attend Phase I training. Cadets must meet the following requirements:
- Be citizens or lawful residents of the United States
- Not have been convicted of a felony
- Possess either a high school or high school equivalency (HSE) diploma
There are no minimum or maximum age requirements for cadets. However, it should be noted that pursuant to §58 of the Civil Service Law, a candidate seeking permanent appointment to a police officer title must be 20 years of age as of the date of appointment, and not more than 35 years of age as of the date when the applicant takes the written examination. Time spent on military duty or on terminal leave, not exceeding a total of six years, shall be subtracted from the age of any applicant who has passed his or her 35th birthday.
In addition to completing the Entrance Form, applicants must submit the following documents prior to admission, which all can be found by clicking the "Cadet Entrance Packet" below:
- Photocopy of valid driver's license
- Current abstract of driving record
- Photocopy of social security card
- Photocopy of proof of citizenship (birth certificate or passport)
- Official High School or High School Equivalency transcript (if never attended college)*
- Official College transcripts (if attended)*
- Liability Waiver - Signed and dated
- Cadet Warning Notice - Notarized, signed and dated
- Waiver of Felony Conviction - Notarized, signed and dated
- Medical and Exercise Profile - Signed and dated
- Immunization Record, including MMR (2 required) and documentation of Meningitis vaccination, if received (not required)
- Physician's Statement - Signed by Physician
- Physical Fitness Readiness - Signed and dated
- Payment Policy - Signed and dated
- Withdrawal and Refund Policy - Signed and dated
- Emergency Contact Information
*Official transcripts must be received in a sealed, signed envelope by the issuing school or college. They must be received unopened and intact. Official transcripts may be mailed with your application or sent directly from the school or college to the SUNY Morrisville University Police Department.
Cadet Application Packet Credit Option
Training Program Stipulations
Students in the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course must be advised of several conditions of this training program that will affect them during and after attending the program. Through this notice, the school is advising the student of these conditions as required by the policy established for this program by Division of Criminal Justice Services.
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Training Program Stipulations
- Completion of this program is not a guarantee of employment as a police officer.
- To complete this pre-employment training program, a student must participate in physical fitness training and successfully complete a physical fitness examination.
- To complete this pre-employment training program, a student must comply with mandated New York State regulations that include: strict attendance requirements; maintaining a notebook; and passing written examination/s.
- This is a two-phase program. The first phase is conducted pre-employment and the second phase is conducted after appointment as a police officer. Each individual phase of this training program must be completed as a single and cohesive unit. This means that students must complete the phase of the program at one institution. The following phase may be conducted at a separate institution.
- Before being appointed as a police officer, a person must complete New York State Civil Service requirements and appointing agency hiring standards (including minimum and maximum age and residency requirements) by taking a written examination and scoring high enough on the eligibility list to be considered for appointment.
- Before being appointed as a police officer, a person must take and successfully complete a physical fitness examination.
- Before being appointed as a police officer, a person must submit to a medical examination, which may include drug screening.
- Before being appointed as a police officer, a person may be required to submit to a psychological examination.
- Before being appointed as a police officer, a person with criminal conviction or with a felony conviction may be disqualified from employment.
- Before being appointed as a police officer, a person may be required to submit to a background investigation.
- Upon appointment as a police officer, a person will be required to satisfactorily complete additional training. Failure to complete this training will result in denial of certification by the New York State Municipal Police Training Council. The certification is required by § 209-q of the General Municipal Law for police officers to remain in their positions.
- Pre-employment training will be valid for two years after completion of this program. If a person is not appointed before two years has elapsed, they will be required to attend a Police Refresher Course. After 10 years from the date of completion records on the transcript, the training will no longer be valid (this is consistent with the provision of §209-q of the General Municipal Law pertaining to police officers).
Academy Training Schedule
The Academy meets every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Academy hours are 5-10:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays. Physical training is from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 8-9 a.m. on Saturdays. There may be days when Academy hours are extended.
Multiple blocks of instruction require cadets to attend classes either several days in a row or several full daytime sessions in addition to the regularly scheduled classes. Some of these training sessions may be off-site, which will require the cadet to have his or her own transportation. It is mandatory for the cadets to attend all sessions.
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Additional Tuition and Fees Information
Deposit
Once a completed application has been received, all applicants are required to interview with the Police Academy Director. If approved by the Director, acceptance is finalized upon receipt of a $500 nonrefundable tuition deposit, due prior to attending class.
Program Fee: $325
The Program Fee of $325 includes a safety vest, uniform cap, physical training t-shirt, 1 short sleeve, and use of all training equipment. Items that students will need to provide for themselves include, but are not limited to, approved uniform BDU pants and shirts, belt, combat boots, physical training attire and sneakers, classroom supplies, textbooks, and tie.
The $325 Program Fee is due by 5 p.m. on September 5, 2024. No refund will be given after this date.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy
Please be aware of our withdrawal and refund policy as part of your application process. If you decide to withdraw from this program, you must meet with the Police Academy Director to complete an exit interview and required withdrawal paperwork.
The tuition liability for withdrawal are listed below:
Penalty for withdrawal before 5 p.m. on October 6, 2024, is $1,305.
Penalty for withdrawal before 5 p.m. on October 13, 2024, is $2,610.
Penalty for withdrawal before 5 p.m. on October 20, 2024, is $3,915.
No refund of tuition will be granted after 5 p.m. on October 20, 2024.
Payment Plan (Optional):
The Workforce Development provides a nine-month interest-free payment plan for the remaining tuition of $5,731.
The due dates for the payment plan are listed below:
$825 is due by 5 p.m. on September 5, 2024
$716 is due by 5 p.m. on October 1, 2024
$716 is due by 5 p.m. on November 1, 2024
$716 is due by 5 p.m. on December 1, 2024
$716 is due by 5 p.m. on January 1, 2025
$716 is due by 5 p.m. on February 1, 2025
$716 is due by 5 p.m. on March 1, 2025
$716 is due by 5 p.m. on April 1, 2025
$719 is due by 5 p.m. on May 1, 2025
SUNY Morrisville offers students and families the option of paying with an interest-free monthly payment plan spreading payments over nine months for the academic year. There is a required enrollment fee of $55. Payments for the nine-month plan begin in October. For additional information, please contact our Office of Admissions at admissions@morrisville.edu or 315.684.6046.