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CMS Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Program, O.C.

Program Overview

 

CMS Law Enforcement Basic Recruit, O.C. (BLEA-CER) 25.67 credits, 770 clock hours

Students performing science lab

This 770-hour basic recruit program is designed to provide students with state-required training, which prepares and allows the student to take the State of Florida FDLE Certification Examination. Students will develop an understanding of community policing, the patrol function, police administration and organization, criminal and constitutional law, juvenile procedures, police ethics, and criminal investigations. The full-time course takes approximately 5 months to complete, and the part-time night class takes approximately 11 months to complete.

 

Important Dates

The next Basic Law Enforcement Academy will start on July 7th 2025 at 8:00am:

 The mandatory meeting for this Academy is May 27th 2025 at 9:00am at the Olustee Campus.

The next Basic Law Enforcement Academy Part-time Night class is TBA:

The mandatory Meeting for the part-time Law enforcement will be May 06, 2025 at 6:00pm.

Please bring with you to the mandatory meeting a copy of the following:

  • Driver’s License
  • Social Security Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • Diploma
  • 3 letters of good standings

Meet with FGC Staff

Learn more about the College and this program by scheduling an appointment with a program advisor. You can select in-person, phone or virtual meeting. We encourage you to visit campus if possible to see the beautiful landscape and feel the caring vibe from faculty and staff.

  • Contact a program advisor

William "Scott" Busby
Director, Public Service Training Programs
 william.busby@fgc.edu
 386-754-4303

John Thomas
Assistant Professor/Coordinator, Law Enforcement Program
 john.thomas@fgc.edu
 386-754-4383

Madison Morton
Coordinator, CTE Programs
 madison.morton@fgc.edu
 386-754-4219

Admission Requirements

For College Admission: 

  • Complete the FGC Application for Admission:

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  • Submit High School transcript(s) to Office of Enrollment Services
  • Submit College transcript(s) for any institutions previously attended

For Program Admission:

FIll out and complete the Academy Application and turn into Coordinator Thomas or Director Busby, along with the required documents on the application. 

Testing Requirements

  • Physical Entrance Test
Basic Abilities Test Exemptions for Veteran’s and College Graduates applying for the Law Enforcement Program:

As of July 1, 2022, “…a person is not required to take the basic skills examination and assessment instrument before entering a law enforcement officer basic recruit training program if he or she is a veteran as defined in s.1.01 (14) or holds an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.”

Requirements for Veteran Status Exemption
  • A DD214 form or other military documentation indicating an honorable discharge from the armed services.
  • Please note that the discharge must be honorable; no other classification will satisfy the requirement
  • A single honorable discharge from a branch of the military will satisfy this requirement, even if the candidate has a discharge from another branch of service that is not honorable.
Requirements for Education Exemption
  • Transcripts indicating the degree was conferred.
  • Please note that the candidate must have received the degree, and not just completed the number of hours required for the degree.

Location

Florida Gateway College's Roberts School of Public Service (Olustee Campus)

Hours

Full Time Academy Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
*Some weekend and night training may be required

Part Time Academy Hours:
Monday-Friday 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM
*Some weekend and night training may be required.

Costs

  • Tuition: $2,179.13
  • Lab Fees: $1,199.32
  • Florida Basic Abilities Test: $39.00
  • Background Check: $50.00
  • Drug Screen: $31.00
  • Test Code Fee: $113.50
  • Uniforms: $175.00

         Total: $3,786.95

FGC offers advanced specialized training courses for current law enforcement officers. As courses are available, they will be posted below.

To attend the training, fill out the FGC Training Form and send it to Director Busby or Coordinator Thomas. 

 

Law Enforcement Basic Recruit, O.C.

98% completion

rate

98% state

 licensure rate

85% job

placement rate

Guided Pathway

Review the guided degree pathway where you will find a detailed plan for your courses and other requirements each semester that prepare you for graduation and your transfer goals.

Guided Pathway, CMS Law Enforcement Basic Recruit, O.C.

Law Enforcment graduate with Public Safety Director

What our graduates are doing now!

Graduates of this program have access to a variety of career opportunities with law enforcement agencies across the state of Florida. These include positions with sheriff's offices, local police departments, and agricultural law enforcement agencies, offering a wide range of roles in public safety and security.

STARTING SALARIES

Salaries on average range from $47,000 to $60,000.

 

 

 

  • This is a limited access program.
  • Full-time programs start in Spring and Fall semesters. Part-time programs start dates vary.

Career Coach plug here

  • How to exhibit basic knowledge of the Florida criminal and civil laws, as well as the federal guidelines concerning a criminal procedure.
  • Apply basic knowledge of the communication skills necessary for law enforcement officers.
  • Demonstrate basic firearm skills for law enforcement officers.
  • Perform defensive tactic skills necessary for law enforcement officers.
  • Apply basic driving skills necessary for law enforcement officers.
  • Perform basic First Aid/First Responder skills necessary for law enforcement officers.

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not a bill that you will receive from Florida Gateway College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Florida Gateway College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses. Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program. For a better understanding of your chosen program’s tuition and fees, see program costs above.
Cost of Attendance

 

 

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