The 810-hour basic course satisfies the requirement of OCGA 35-8-1 that a candidate complete the mandated course of instruction to be eligible for certification. 

On June 11, 2024 The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (GA POST) voted to increase the minimum training requirements to become a certified peace officer in Georgia. This increased the previous 408 hours of training to 810 hours. This new requirement goes in to effect January 1, 2025.   

Class 004

Orientation: January 21

Graduation: June 13

Class 005

Orientation: April 14 

Graduation: September 10

Class 006

Orientation: June 30

Graduation: November 24

 Please see the "P.A.T." page for more information. 

To register for the P.A.T., please refer to the Academy Calendar on the Training Calendars page.

If no dates are listed, they are TBD. Please check back for updates.

**DATES HAVE BEEN ADDED FOR CLASS 006**

For more information regarding the Georgia P.O.S.T. pre-employment requirements for certification, please refer to the F.A.Q. page or click here. 

For more information on Georgia's minimum annual training requirements for certified peace officers, please click here.

For any questions concerning employee benefits or the hiring process that are not addressed in the information below, please contact:

 HR Specialist Summer Harris

(706) 541-3937 

sharris@columbiacountyso.org. 

How to Become a Law Enforcement Officer in Georgia

By Captain Chris Railey, CCSO-RTC Academy Director

In the state of Georgia, there are two basic "paths" to becoming a law enforcement officer. Each path has its pros and cons and each should be studied before you decide. Before anyone can work as a LEO in Georgia, they MUST attend a Basic Law Enforcement Training Class (BLETC). This class is also known as “mandate training.” Currently, mandate training lasts 21 weeks. Once a person has completed mandate training and is hired by an agency to conduct the duties of a LEO, that person is known as a “certified” officer.

First Path

The first path is to seek employment with an agency as either an academy candidate or in a “non-certified” position such as a deputy jailer or dispatcher. Academy candidates are hired to specifically attend the academy as a cadet. Upon successful completion of the academy, the employee will move on to the the Road Patrol training program. Once a deputy jailer or dispatcher has worked for the agency and are a good employee, most of agencies will send you to mandate training.

Pros for the first path: You are paid a salary and benefits from the first day you are employed. The mandated training is free to people hired by an agency (tuition is due if not). The main benefit to path one is you will be paid a salary while you are in the 21-week mandate program. The mandate program is Monday through Friday, eight to nine hours a day, so it's pretty much a full-time job. For those initially hired as a jailer or dispatcher; the lessons you learn working in the jail or in dispatch will carry over to a career as a LEO, so none of that time is wasted. It just takes a little longer to get to the field. When I worked as a Staff Sergeant on Patrol I always tried to get new deputies from the jail or dispatch. Those employees are already trained in many areas and they already have developed skills for working with the public.

Cons for the first path: If you are initially hired in a "non-certified" position, you will have to work for a period of time before you go to mandate training. Per state law, you will have to work for the agency that sent you through mandate training for a period of two years, after completing the mandate training; regardless if you are hired as an academy candidate or in a non-certified position. If you leave employment for another law enforcement-related job during those two years, you must reimburse that agency for the money spent training you.

Please see the "Law Enforcement Employment" portion below for more information on how to apply with the CCSO.

Second Path

The second path to becoming a law enforcement officer is to enter a BLETC (mandate training) as a pre-service candidate. Pre-service candidates are not employed by a law enforcement agency and are responsible for the cost of their own training. Most regional training centers will accept pre-service candidates but there are several requirements which the candidate must meet before acceptance.

Pros for the second path: Because pre-service candidates pay the entire cost for their training (tuition) the state law requiring them to work for an agency for two years does not apply. There are some military benefits which may pay for mandate training if you qualify.

Cons for the second path: BLETC courses generally last 21 weeks and require physical attendance 0730-1700 hours every weekday. Unless you work part-time evenings or weekends, you will not receive any salary during your training. Some regional training centers (like the CCSO-RTC) will provide you with the equipment needed to complete the training, but some will not. This can add a high cost in the purchase of equipment such as belts, holsters, firearms, magazines, etc.

Please see the "Pre-Service" portion below for more information on how to apply to the CCSO-RTC as a pre-service cadet.

Agency Sponsor (LE employed) Tuition: No cost

You may apply to be a Patrol Deputy with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (or any agency of your choosing). 

For more information on the hiring process for the CCSO, please click here. Please refer to the “CCSO Recruitment and Selection Process” for a complete breakdown on the hiring process. To apply, click on “Patrol Deputy” and either complete the online application or you may download the application. You will be required to sign a 2-year commitment with our Agency. Please contact HR Specialist Summer Harris with questions concerning the hiring process at (706) 541-3937 or sharris@columbiacountyso.org.

Once you are hired, you will have to complete an online application for Peace Officer and get it approved by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training Council (Georgia POST). Georgia POST is the governing body of all law enforcement in this state and must approve all applicants for certification. Please refer to their document on “How Do I Become a POST Certified Peace Officer?” here or you may refer to their website for more information at https://gapost.org/. Once you are an employee, Administrative Coordinator Audrey Williamson will assist you with this process. You are strongly encouraged to begin collecting the necessary documentation now. You may have provided some of it already during the hiring process, but the state may require additional paperwork that the agency background investigator does not. Please refer to the flowchart below for a break down of the hiring process and for specific paperwork requirements.

Once your POST application is approved, you will have to pass the Physical Agility Test in order to be accepted into the Academy. 

Pre-Service (not LE employed) Tuition: $1,500

You will have to complete the online application for Peace Officer and it will have to be approved by Georgia POST. The paperwork requirements are the same as mentioned in the POST “How Do I Become a POST Certified Peace Officer?” document. Before beginning the POST application process, you must:

If you do not have a college degree, POST requires you to take an entrance exam prior to attending the police academy. A list of acceptable entrance exams and their required scores can be found here: POST Entrance Exam Results - Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training Council (gapost.org)

Georgia POST requires all pre-service cadets to complete two fingerprint cards to be processed and returned to POST. Currently, the Georgia Crime Information Center requires pre-service candidates to utilize their vendor, Fieldprint® GAPS Georgia Applicant Processing Services (fieldprintgeorgia.com), to satisfy this requirement. You will have to pay a fee to the vendor.

Once you have completed these steps, please contact investigator Wynn Howard at 706-541-4023 to begin your background investigation. You will also have to schedule an appointment with the Academy Director. Remember – these steps will need to be completed prior to beginning your POST application. Please refer to the flowchart below for specific paperwork requirements.

Once your POST application is approved, you will have to pass the Physical Agility Test in order to be accepted into the Academy. 

Cadets will be expected to adhere to the following standards.

All Cadets:

Hairstyles that interfere with the proper wearing of any required safety equipment or any part of the required uniform, pose an officer (cadet) safety issue, or detract from a businesslike appearance will not be permitted. Unless otherwise specified, the wearing of jewelry, including earrings, while in uniform is prohibited except that cadets may wear a wedding band and a watch.

Male Cadets:

Hair will be neatly cut, with the sides and back either tapered or blocked. The back of the hair will not extend over the uniform shirt collar (when assuming the military position of attention). Hair will not extend over the ear. Sideburns will not extend below the ear opening. All cadets must be clean-shaven, except that a mustache is permitted. If a mustache is worn, it will be kept neatly trimmed. Mustaches may extend laterally not more than one‐half inch (1/2") from the corner of the mouth and may extend not more than one‐quarter inch (1/4") below the corner of the mouth or more than one‐quarter inch (1/4") down over the upper lip. Medical exceptions shall be documented by a physician’s statement and approved by the Academy Director.

Female Cadets:

Hairstyles will be worn so that no part of the hair extends over the uniform shirt collar. Hair clips or pins matching the color of the hair may be worn. Pointed objects that could be used as a weapon will not be used to secure the hair. Ponytails are not allowed. The use of makeup is permissible, providing it is used moderately and promotes a businesslike appearance. Fingernails will not extend more than one‐eighth inch (1/8") beyond the fingertips. Fingernail polish, if worn, will be clear.

Cadets are required to have the following on the first day:

• One or more navy blue golf shirts. The brand name is not important as long as the shirt is navy blue. These will be worn during classroom training and some practical exercises. In cold weather, or if the student is cold-natured, a plain navy-blue sweatshirt should also be included. The golf shirts and sweatshirts should not display any kind of logo, artwork, or lettering.

• One or more pairs of khaki “tactical style” pants. The brand name is not important as long as the pants are khaki. Items numbered one and two make up the daily training uniform for academy cadets. These will be worn during all classroom training and practical exercises.

• One or more navy blue T-shirts for physical training and range work. The shirts should not display any kind of logo, artwork or lettering.

• One or more pairs of navy-blue exercise shorts of proper length and fit for physical training. Items numbered three and four make up the physical training uniform for cadets. Physical training will occur every day.

• One khaki baseball-style cap. The cap should not display any logo, lettering or artwork.

• One pair of athletic shoes for physical training.

• One pair of black tactical-style boots or shoes (which can be shined) to be worn with the daily training uniform.

• Cadets should have ear and eye protection as well as wet/cold weather gear when needed.

• Duty Belt, black (leather or nylon). Pre-service candidates may be able to borrow Academy items if available.

• Holster (leather or nylon), security level 2 minimum. Pre-service candidates may be able to borrow Academy items if available.

• Pistol with three magazines and magazine pouch in .40, .45, or 9mm calibers. Pre-service candidates may be able to borrow Academy pistols if available.

• Weapon cleaning supplies (recommended).

• Flashlight with batteries and flashlight holder/ring.

• Handcuffs with keys and handcuff case (corrections high-security cuffs are not allowed).

• Groin protector (optional) and mouth guard (optional).

• Classroom supplies (notebook, paper, pencils, black ballpoint pens).

Classroom Uniform: The following will be worn during all classroom activities:

• Navy blue golf shirt

• Khaki pants (Tactical style OK if all strings are removed/hidden and pants are not bloused)

• Polished black boots or shoes (if shoes are low-quartered, black socks required)

• Duty gear will be worn at all times on Academy property unless directed by staff. Duty gear shall not be worn off Academy property.

• The holster should align with the outside seam of the pants

• Buttons, buckle and zipper will be properly aligned

Physical Training Uniform: All cadets will wear the following each day for PT.

• Navy blue T-shirt

• Navy blue exercise shorts

• Athletic shoes

• Navy blue long sleeve T-shirt or sweatshirt may be worn in cooler weather

• Wet weather gear when needed

Range/Defensive Tactics Uniform: The following will be worn for range/DT training:

• Navy blue t-shirt, sweatshirt or long sleeve t-shirt

• Khaki pants

• Black shoes or boots

• Wet weather gear when needed

All uniforms will be clean and pressed with shoes shined unless instructed by staff. Your appearance will be monitored daily by academy staff and infractions noted.

P.A.T. Dates

Please refer to our Training Calendar to register for the P.A.T. 

If no dates are listed, they are TBD. Please check back for updates.