These frequently asked questions are designed to provide a better understanding of Delta College’s POST Academy. If you have any questions about the POST Academy that are not covered here, please email: post@deltacollege.edu
Established in 1981, the POST Academy is a police academy for training new law enforcement officers to serve our communities. It is a certified course that when completed becomes the requirement to apply for a position of police officer, sheriff’s deputy and other sworn positions.
We are located on the Delta College campus at 5151 Pacific Avenue in Stockton, Calif. The office is located in Holt 134 and the Academy classroom is located in Holt 101.
Delta College POST Academy offers both an "Intensive Program" and an "Extended Program."
Intensive Program
The full-time, 988-hour intensive course satisfies the California Commission on Peace Officers and Training (POST) minimum training requirements for California entry-level peace officers. The course typically meets Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The course is approximately six months in duration and was designed for employed or aspiring peace officer cadets.
Extended Program
The part-time, 988-hour extended course satisfies the California Commission on Peace Officers and Training (POST) minimum training requirements for California entry-level peace officers. The course typically meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, and on some Fridays. This nine-month program was designed for individuals who are interested in a career in law enforcement, but who have not been hired or sponsored by an agency.
An estimated list of expenses due throughout the Academy is available here: ACADEMY EXPENSE LIST.
Contact the college’s Veterans Resource Center for information: SJ Delta College - Veterans Services
Contact the college’s Financial Aid Office for information: Delta College - Financial Aid.
Worknet may also provide support services for the Academy. Worknet can be reached at (209) 954-5728 or in DeRicco 208.
Delta College cannot guarantee employment; however, our Academy has a good relationship with law enforcement officers throughout California. The success rate is dependent on an individual’s background and ability to pass the required employment examinations.
It is up to each individual to reach out the agencies about their hiring process. Once you have been hired by the agency they may cover the costs of the Academy. Information: Law Enforcement Job Opportunities - Commission on POST
Yes, upon satisfactory completion of all four phases of training, you will obtain 39 college units. The Delta College POST Academy is comprised of four separate modular courses:
- AJ 094 Peace Officer Academy Orientation 3.00 units
- AJ 095A Basic Police Academy Module III 6.50 unit
- AJ 095B Basic Police Academy Module II 9.00 unit
- AJ 095C Basic Police Academy Module I 20.50 unit
In order to graduate from the Academy and ultimately obtain a Basic Peace Officer Certificate, each student must enroll and successfully complete all four separate courses.
No, you will use an academy issued Glock 17, 9mm. You must be cleared through the Department of Justice with a livescan clearance letter. Then a training weapon will be provided to you as part of the course. We cannot permit anyone to use our training weapons unless they are cleared by DOJ.
PELLETb test results are valid for one year from your testing date.
Certificates of completion are valid for three years.
No, Delta College does not offer this course. Refer to the POST website for other training academies: Home - Commission on POST
Yes, you can apply. Email a copy of your last module certificate of completion to post@deltacollege.edu for review.
AJ94 Academy Orientation will require you to be fully uniformed on the first day of orientation. This is due to the Academy beginning immediately following orientation. See our UNIFORM SPECIFICATIONS.
A Department of Justice Clearance Letter can be obtained by getting fingerprinted at a facility that performs Live Scan fingerprinting. The clearance letter will be mailed to the applicant. Please allow up to four to six weeks to receive the clearance letter. The letter must be dated within 6 months of the first day of the program.
A medical release form must be completed and signed by a physician indicating clearance to participate in physical training. The form must be dated within 90 days of the first day of the program. See our MEDICAL CLEARANCE form.
Click here for forms needed for Orientation and each class. For more information, email post@deltacollege.edu.
Law enforcement agencies wishing to sponsor students into the program should contact the Academy office to reserve seats in the next available class by calling (209) 954-5258 or emailing post@deltacollege.edu.
Agencies should send us a list of students with student ID numbers, as well as a Sponsorship Verification Letter explaining the extent to which the agency will be providing financial support up to and including full financial sponsorship.
If you have been convicted of a felony, you will not be able to attend the Academy and will not be employed as a police officer or sheriff’s deputy in California.
Physical activity is part of the POST Academy throughout all modules. Our "arrest and control" aspect gets cadets physically involved in the program.
Module I is the course in which physical training comes most to bear. To pass the Academy, you will need to be in good cardio condition, be able to run, turn and jump and scale a six-foot wall and fence.
If you’re interested to see in where you stand in passing PT at the Academy, look into an academy that administers the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB). South Bay Regional Training Center in San Jose is a facility that assesses the WSTB.
Yes. We do not offer an online aspect to this Academy. The only way you can participate in the Academy is to be present.
Cadets who fail out of a module may inquire at the Academy office about the possibility of dropping in at the next available open space for that module.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.