State of Colorado Peace Officer Standards Training (POST) Certified Academy
The Western Colorado Law Enforcement Academy is a State of Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified academy. The Montrose summer POST Academy prepares students to pass all of the required state examinations to become a Certified Colorado Peace Officer. This certification allows the graduate to work for a law enforcement agency anywhere in the state of Colorado.
The minimum age to enroll in this program is 21. Upon completion of this rigorous one semester program, the graduate is awarded 31 college credits. Students may combine those credits with other Colorado Mesa University curriculum to earn an Associates of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice or a Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice (POST Academy).
The Western Colorado Law Enforcement Academy prepares individuals for careers as police officers, deputy sheriffs, parole and corrections officers, wildlife managers, probations officers, as well as careers in Federal and State of Colorado law enforcement agencies. This academy is in partnership with the Montrose Police Department and Montrose County Sheriff's Office.
Program highlights:
- Sixteen-week certificate program.
- Graduates are Certified Colorado Peace Officers eligible for hire anywhere in Colorado after passing the POST exam.
- Academy graduates earn 31 college credits.
- This is the only academy in Colorado that articulates to an AAS degree in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice (POST Academy) and Bachelor of Applied Science in Interdisciplinary Studies.
- Exceeds the requirements set by Colorado Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST).
- Utilizes adult learning models emphasizing real-world policing scenarios.