POST Academy

General Entrance Requirements

• United States citizen or permanent resident alien who is eligible and has applied for U.S. citizenship prior to application for employment.
• Minimum age requirement for academy acceptance is 21 (GC 1031.4). Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at the time of submission. There is no maximum age limit.
• High school diploma or equivalency.
• Valid California Class C (Class 3) driver's license or current military ID and out-of-state valid driver’s license
• Lack of a felony (or certain misdemeanors) record or outstanding warrants.
• Successfully passing the P.O.S.T. Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) and the Physical Agility Test (PAT).
• Medical Examination/Clearance.
• Background Investigation Clearance/DOJ Clearance Letter.

Successful participants in the San Diego Regional Academy will be expected to arrive with a base level of fitness. The Academy Physical Training program is 24 weeks long with Physical Training Sessions 2–3 times per week. Physical training will consist of speed and distance running, weight training and circuit training. Participants will be required to pass a Work Sample Test Battery consisting of an obstacle course, dummy drag, 6-foot wall climbs and a timed run.

At a minimum, participants should be able to continuously run for 3 miles in 27 minutes or less (9 minute per mile pace or faster) and perform multiple sets of 20–25 pushups and sit ups. Physical training should start immediately. Begin running 2–3 times per week gradually increasing the distance until a 3-mile continuous run can be achieved. Gradually increase the intensity until the 3-mile run is completed in 24 minutes or less. Weekly runs should consist of hills, stairs or interval training. Include sets of pushups and sit ups, 2–3 times per day focusing on full range of motion for each. Taking the time to adequately prepare for the academy will increase the chance of being successful while greatly decreasing the chance of injury while in the academy.

 See California State (POST) Minimum Selection Standards

 

The San Diego Regional Public Safety Training Institute (SDRPSTI) is not currently accepting applications. Please refer to the academy schedule above for application periods.

 

Academy Application

How do I apply for the academy?

The POST Academy application is a multiple step process that unsponsored candidates are required to complete before the posted deadline of the application acceptance period.  Please check the academy dates. Applications will only be accepted during the dates listed - no exceptions.

There are two applications that are required. The first application can be submitted on the statewide CCCApply website. The second application required is the San Diego Regional Public Safety Training Institute (SDRPSTI) application that will only be available during the posted dates of acceptance.

The following materials must be submitted as a single PDF (not to exceed 15 MB):

1. Completed SDRPSTI application with wet signatures in designated areas, and
2. Copy of valid California Class C driver’s license or current military ID and out-of-state valid driver’s license
   1. 1. Temporary/paper driver’s license or out-of-state driver’s license are not accepted

Email single PDF and SDCCD Student/User ID# (within the body of email) to MiramarAdmissionsPublicSafety@sdccd.edu.

How do I get help with the CCCApply website?

The statewide CCCApply website is hosted by the California Community College statewide system. For technical assistance, please contact the help desk at (877) 247-4836 or support@openccc.net.

What happens after I submit my application?

Once your application and supporting documents have been accepted, you will be given a packet with several other tasks and their deadlines to be completed. The packet will contain information about Live Scan fingerprint/background clearance, Medical Waiver, testing dates, and additional important information. All applications will be reviewed by the academy staff after the application deadline. 

What if I missed the deadline to submit my application?

The academy maintains strict deadlines and therefore there are no exceptions. Late applicants will be advised to apply for the next academy.

How do I enroll/register for the academy?

Because the academy is based on availability and acceptance, enrollment/registration is restricted. An admission representative will enroll students accepted as provided by the academy staff, following the first day of attendance.

If I meet all of the minimum requirements, will I get into the academy?

No, there is no guarantee that unsponsored candidates will be accepted or admitted. Priority is given to sponsored law enforcement recruits. Unsponsored candidates that have successfully passed the screening and tests will be placed on a waitlist until the number of available open seats has been determined.

 

PELLETB

 

What is the PELLETB?

The POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) is an aptitude test used to measure reading and writing ability for a career in law enforcement.

The PELLETB is a multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank written examination designed to measure reading and writing ability. Applicants are given 2½ hours to complete the PELLETB, which contains five sections:

• Spelling (applicants select the correct spelling of a word from a list of options)
• Vocabulary (applicants select the correct meaning of a word from a list of options)
• Clarity (applicants select the sentence that is most clearly written from a pair of options)
• Reading Comprehension (applicants read a passage and answer questions about the passage’s content)
• CLOZE (applicants use contextual clues to complete a passage that contains blanks/missing words)

The Applicant Preparation Guide for the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (pdf) is a study guide that provides more information about the PELLETB.

Where do I take the PELLETB?

The PELLETB will be administered on campus by SDRPSTI officials. The PELLETB and PAT are scheduled on the same day. Testing dates are provided to applicants upon submission of a complete application.

What if I have already taken the PELLETB?

The PELLETB is valid for one year. The original document and a copy with a score of 47 or greater must be presented to the Training Officer on the scheduled test day.

What if I don't pass the PELLETB?

The opportunity to remediate and retest the PELLETB is after 30 days have passed. Failure to successfully pass a retest will result in dismissal.

Can I take the PELLETB without applying to the academy?

No, the PELLETB is only administered to San Diego Miramar College and the San Diego Regional Public Safety Training Institute (SDRPSTI) academy applicants. 

 

PAT

 

What is the PAT?

The Physical Ability Test (PAT) is the P.O.S.T. job related Work Sample Test Battery and general physical fitness testing (running, push-ups, and sit-ups). 

Students should minimally be capable of running 3 miles at a 9-minute mile pace, and performing 25 standard push-ups and sit-ups. Physical fitness training will include running, weight training, and calisthenics.  

What can I do to prepare for the academy physical conditioning program?

The Academy includes a strenuous Physical Training Program with tests conducted periodically to determine the recruit's ability and progress.

The physical conditioning program consists of aerobic, strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility conditioning. Usually, jogging is the mode of aerobic conditioning. Calisthenics circuit training or weight circuit training, commonly used for strength and muscular endurance conditioning. Static stretching is the usual mode of flexibility conditioning.

For best results, your exercise program should already match the descriptions below.

• Aerobic conditioning, 3-5 days per week, 20-60 minutes each day, continuous jogging on most days each week
• Muscular strength/endurance, 2-3 days per week, one set of 8-10 exercises including upper body, core, and legs, 8-20 repetitions per set
• Flexibility, static stretching, at least 2-3 days per week, preferably 5-7 days, 8-12 stretches each day, hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds and repeat each 2-4 times
• Continuous participation at the above-described levels for the last six months without injury

For additional training tips, visit http://www.halhigdon.com.

Each agency maintains their own employment requirements. For their specific employment requirements, please contact the agency's Recruiting unit.

Where do I take the PAT?

The PAT will be administered on campus by SDRPSTI officials. The PELLETB and PAT are scheduled on the same day. Testing dates are provided to applicants upon submission of a complete application.

 

Veterans Affairs

 

How do I use my V.A. Education Benefits?

If you are a veteran planning to utilize V.A. Educational Benefits (CH33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®) for the Law Enforcement Academy, you will need to submit documentation to the college Veterans Affairs Office via email to MiramarVeterans@sdccd.edu.  Be sure to include your full name and 10-digit student ID number in your email. 

Submit the following documents:

• Certificate of Eligibility Letter or VA Statement of Benefits (https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill/post-9-11/ch-33-benefit/)
• DD-214 Member 4  
• VA Police Academy Documents (https://sdmiramar.edu/services/veterans/docs)
• Please contact the VA office (K1- 207) for further requirements and questions, (619) 388-7862, MiramarVeterans@sdccd.edu.

Once all required documents are received, the college VA Office will submit your VA enrollment certification (VA 22-1999).  Please allow 4-8 weeks for the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to process benefits and payments.   

All enrollment/registration is processed after the first day of academy.  Please note that certification cannot be processed until enrollment/registration is posted to student record.

 

Law Enforcement Agencies

 

What agencies are served by the SDRPSTI at Miramar College?

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply directly with the law enforcement agency for academy sponsorship.

Many agencies sponsor their recruits through the academy with immediate employment following academy graduation. Each agency maintains their own employment requirements. For their specific employment requirements, please contact the agency's Recruiting Office.

You may enter the academy un-sponsored by an agency (you finance yourself through the academy). Apply to San Diego Miramar College and the SDRPSTI as an open enrollment student during the application period. Your name is placed on a testing list to fulfill the required academy entrance requirements. Applicants are chosen from an eligibility list to fill available spaces in each academy course. Open enrollment students are required to obtain DOJ clearance (Live Scan) prior to the start of the academy. 

Agencies served by the SDRPSTI

Cal State San Marcos	760-750-4567
Carlsbad PD	760-931-2178
Chula Vista PD	619-691-5096
Coronado PD	619-522-7300
El Cajon PD	619-579-3311
El Centro PD	760-327-4528
Escondido PD	760-839-4791
Grossmont-Cuyamaca College PD	619-644-7323
La Mesa PD	619-667-1175
MiraCosta College PD	760-795-6640
National City PD	619-336-4309
Oceanside Harbor PD	760-966-4570
Oceanside PD	760-435-3506
San Diego City Lifeguards	619-236-6467
San Diego City Parks and Recreation Department Rangers	619-682-1011
San Diego City Schools Police	619-725-7000
San Diego Community College District PD	619-388-6411
San Diego County Probation Department	619-514-8558
San Diego County Sheriff's Department	858-974-2013
San Diego District Attorney's Office	858-694-3900
San Diego PD	619-531-2677
SDSU PD	619-594-1991
San Diego Harbor PD	619-725-6070
UCSD PD	858-534-4358

COVID-19 Requirements

 

What are the current COVID-19 mandates or requirements?

San Diego Community College District information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) Protocols for students and staff can be referenced by visiting https://www.sdccd.edu/students/covid19/.