The SUNY Potsdam Law Enforcement Training Institute is a landmark applied learning initiative, designed to provide students with the opportunity to complete a rigorous pre-employment, state-approved police training course as part of their undergraduate curriculum.
Students in an accredited New York State police basic course (colloquially a "police academy", though New York does not officially use this term) are trained in defensive tactics, emergency medical services, emergency vehicle operation, applying field sobriety tests to intoxicated individuals in a controlled setting, processing crime scenes, learning military drill and ceremony, and a plethora of other law enforcement training topics.
The New York State pre-employment basic police training curriculum is one of the very best in the country and is above the standard of most other curricula. SUNY Potsdam's Criminal Justice faculty have augmented this excellent curriculum to create an exceptional learning experience.
Applications
Applications for the Fall Law Enforcement Training Institute will be accepted starting January 2nd and will end the last day of April...learn more.
View Rules & Regulations (PDF)
Program Overview
Read the ABC’s of the program, and be sure to contact our Police Academy Director Sonny Duquette (duquetar@potsdam.edu) for additional information.
About
- One of only 14 schools in New York authorized to teach pre-employment police basic training, and the only SUNY liberal arts college offering this program.
- Full semester of dedicated, New York State Department of Justice -Office of Public Safety approved police officer curriculum (680 total contact hours).
- Offered in the fall semesters only.
- The new training area provides unlimited seating available for pre-employment students as well as hired police and peace officers who will all train side by side and together.
Benefits
- Students will complete 95% of the total requirements for attending a NYS Police Academy, prior to completing their undergraduate degree!
- Those who complete the academy will receive a college stamped transcript of “Pre-Employment Basic Police Training.”
- Students will receive 15 upper division credits towards the 45 required for the bachelor’s degree.
Core Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must:
- Have Junior or Senior status or higher (may apply in their sophomore year and enroll in the academy in their Junior or Senior year).
- Those not enrolled into a college degree program course but who want to attend this training as a stand-alone program may also apply.
- There is no April deadline application for these applicants. They may apply anytime before August 20th of each year.
- Not be a convicted felon.
- Be legally residing in the United States.
- Pass an interview with Police Academy Director Sonny Duquette.
2023 Law Enforcement Training Institute Academy Graduation Video:
Contact Information:
Sonny Duquette, Director
Law Enforcement Training Institute
(315) 261-8223
duquetar@potsdam.edu
An initiative of:
The Center for Applied Learning
(315) 267-2507
appliedlearning@potsdam.edu
FAQ from New York Division of Criminal Justice services about pre-employment police basice training