If you have not been hired by a law enforcement agency and wish to attend the Police Academy as "Pre-service", you will have to accomplish several steps before the class starts and pay for your training. Please refer to this guide . There is also a flowchart on the "Basic Law Enforcement" page that breaks down the Georgia P.O.S.T. application requirements.
To apply with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, call 706-541-3937 or go to Sheriff's Office | Columbia County, GA (columbiacountyso.org) and click on the jobs tab. There is also a flowchart on the "Basic Law Enforcement" page that breaks down the hiring process and Georgia P.O.S.T. application paperwork requirements .
Per Georgia P.O.S.T., applicants have "a maximum of two attempts to be made no later than the first day of Basic Mandate Training". At this time, there are 3 total P.A.T. qualification dates that are offered per Academy class. Practice dates for the P.A.T. are available by appointment; please contact Staff Sergeant Dave Wheeler at dwheeler@columbiacountyso.org for more information.
Please see our Training Calendar for course descriptions and to register for Training.
Below is a list of training courses that are currently or tentatively scheduled:
Basic Law Enforcement Certification Course
Basic Jail Officer Certification Course
Concealed Carry Handgun (8 hours)
Field Training Officer (F.T.O.) Certification Course
Instructor Certification Course
Jail Training Officer (J.T.O.)
The CCSO-RTC Training Staff are working hard on developing more advanced and specialized courses that will be open for enrollment in the near future. These include, but are not limited to:
Basic Communications Officer Certification Course
NRA Firearms Instructor
EVOC Instructor
P.I.T. Instructor
We strongly encourage you to continue to monitor our page for updates!
If you have an idea or recommendation of a course you would like to see the CCSO-RTC offer, please e-mail Lt. David Heaton at dheaton@columbiacountyso.org.
Please contact Administrative Assistant Audrey Williamson at awilliamson@columbiacountyso.org for more information.
Contact CCSO-RTC Administrative Assistant Audrey Williamson at awilliamson@columbiacountyso.org to request access to our facilities calendar.
Please note that facility usage is based on a first-come, first-served basis and Agency and Academy schedules take precedence. However, the Training Staff will do everything they can to accommodate your Agency's training needs.
The CCSO-RTC is for law enforcement use only and not open to the public. If you are interested in enrolling in the Citizen's Firearms Class or the Citizen's Law Enforcement Academy, please contact the Community Services Division at 706-541-2856.
We offer one training date each quarter. You may schedule one of those dates through our training calendar; it is labeled as "LEOSA Qualification Date". The registration link is provided in the course description.
You will need to complete the LEOSA Retiree Registration packet PRIOR to contacting the Columbia County Sheriff's Office or the CCSO-RTC. Please see full details HERE.
Please refer to the "Teen Driver" page under the "Courses & Registration" pull down menu at the top right of this page.