Basic Course for Police Officers

Basic training is the most important learning experience that a police officer completes during his or her career.

The Basic Course for Police Officers has undergone a continual evolution since it was first established. The current BCPO consists of a minimum standard of over 700 hours established by the Municipal Police Training Council (MPTC). Staff routinely reviews the content of the Basic Course for Police Officers to ensure that the material remains relevant to criminal justice issues and best prepares officers to serve their communities.

Today’s Basic Course for Police Officers covers a wide range of topics including but not limited to:

  • Ethics & Professionalism
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Bias Related Incidents
  • Professional Communication
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Use of Physical Force & Deadly Force
  • Active Shooter Response
  • Decision Making

Today’s police recruits are also mandated to complete numerous Reality Based Training Scenarios to better prepare them for the situations they will encounter on the job.

Appointed police officers who are registered with DCJS by their employing agencies are eligible to receive certificates of completion for the Basic Course for Police Officers.

Police Refresher Course

Certificates attesting to successful completion of the Basic Course for Police Officers expire after a police officer leaves service:

  • Certificates held by a police officer who serves less than two consecutive years are valid for a period of two years after the officer leaves police service.
  • Certificates held by a police officer who serves more than two consecutive years are valid for a period of four years after the officer leaves police service.
  • NOTE: Service as a peace officer (as defined in §2.10 Criminal Procedure Law) is not police service.

For a period of up to ten years after leaving police service, a former police officer is eligible to attend the Police Refresher Course. An officer who has been separated from police service for ten years or more must attend an entire Basic Course for Police Officers.

To enroll in a Police Refresher Course, a person must first be properly appointed as a sworn police officer. The administrator of the employing police agency (a police or sheriff's department) will then contact the course director of the local agency or academy to seek admission of the officer in a basic police training course. The officer must complete only those components of the course that are required for refresher training. It is the decision of the local course director whether to conduct a Police Refresher Course.

Police Equivalency Course

Any person who has been appointed a police officer of any municipality of the State of New York and who has formerly been permanently appointed in any United States jurisdiction may apply to DCJS for approval to substitute satisfactory completion of police training to meet all or part of the requirements of an approved Basic Course for Police Officers.

DCJS Office of Public Safety staff reviews and evaluates applications and may require the applicant to submit such additional documentation as deemed necessary. If it is determined that a program of basic police training completed by the applicant meets or exceeds all or part of the minimum prescribed New York State standard, DCJS may authorize such training to be substituted for those requirements of the Basic Course for Police Officers.

A typical officer who worked and was trained in another state should expect to complete 264 to 535 hours of additional training, dependent on the level of previous training.

DCJS will certify, in writing, the extent to which all or part of the mandated basic training curriculum may be waived. Within one year of appointment, the applicant must satisfactorily complete all required components at a Basic Course for Police Officers approved by the Commissioner.

To be eligible for an equivalency application, an applicant must have at least 12 months of police service in a jurisdiction outside New York State. Agencies that have appointed police officers who are eligible for the Police Equivalency Course should contact the Office of Public Safety at (518) 457-2667, for further information.

Individuals should contact their employing agency for further information.

Pre-Employment Police Basic Course

The Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course is an alternative to the conventional manner of conducting the Basic Course for Police Officers. 

The first component, pre-employment training, includes most of the instructional material in the Basic Course for Police Officers, and may be completed by civilian students as well as appointed police officers.

After appointment, a police officer who has successfully completed the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course must complete the second component, which includes at a minimum law enforcement skills and supervised field training. The second component may only be completed by sworn police officers.

Pre-employment training is achieved through a collaboration between a municipality and an accredited college, junior college, or two-year college having an active criminal justice, public safety program, or other similar or equivalent program registered and approved by the Department of Education. It provides interested persons with the opportunity to begin preparation for a career as a police officer prior to being hired by a law enforcement agency. As a further benefit, the program provides law enforcement agencies and municipalities with a diverse pool of trained police officer candidates.

We have also prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions and answers below that we hope you will find helpful. 

Law enforcement agencies and schools that have additional questions should contact us at 518-457-2667, or by e-mail. All student inquiries must be directed to the school of their choice that is offering the program.

Approved Schools List

Pre-Employment Police Basic Course FAQ

What is the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course?

The Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course provides students with the opportunity to complete many aspects of basic police training before being appointed as a police officer in New York State. Pre-employment training is achieved through a collaboration between a municipality and an accredited college, junior college, or two-year college having an active criminal justice, public safety program, or other similar or equivalent program registered and approved by the Department of Education. After being appointed by a law enforcement agency, a sworn officer who has completed the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course must complete the post appointment component of the training.

Who can attend?

Both civilians and sworn police officers may attend the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course.

What are the student prerequisites?

Anyone who meets the entrance requirements establish by regulation and any further requirements established by the school conducting the program can attend. The minimum entrance requirements for students are:

  • students must be citizens of the United States of America, or lawfully residing within the United States of America;
  • students may not be convicted of a felony;
  • there is no minimum or maximum age requirement for students; and
  • students must possess either a high school diploma or a General Education Diploma (GED)

Although, a background investigation is not required, citizenship and possession of a high school diploma (or GED) must be verified by the school. Any determination to conduct student background investigations is solely at the discretion of the school.

Students must be provided with a clear written warning notice describing the conditions of this training program, and how those conditions will effect them immediately and in the future, including the fact that successful completion of the course is not a guarantee of employment as a police officer.

It is recommended that students are medically evaluated to determine that they are physically able to safely participate in fitness training and testing.

Is a police department or sheriff's office required to use this training?

No. Pre-employment training is an alternative to the conventional basic police training model in New York State. Law enforcement administrators decide what method of basic training best suites their individual needs.

After a student completes this course and is appointed as a police officer, what further training is required?

Within one year of appointment, a police officer must successfully complete the Basic Course for Police Officers. After being appointed by a law enforcement agency, a sworn officer who has completed the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course must complete the post appointment component of the training, which includes at a minimum law enforcement skills and supervised field training. Law enforcement agencies and academies may add topics and increase the length of post appointment training to meet their individual needs.

If I successfully complete this course, am I guaranteed employment as a police officer?

No. Successful completion of the course is not a guarantee of employment as a police officer. Training, including pre-employment training, is just one step in the process. Before being appointed as a police officer, a person must meet various New York State Civil Service Law requirements and appointing agency hiring standards, including minimum and maximum age and residency requirements. Additionally, candidates must take and successfully complete a written examination, a physical fitness examination and a medical examination that may include drug screening. Further, before being appointed as a police officer, a person may be required to submit to a psychological examination and a background investigation. A person with a criminal conviction or with a felony conviction may be disqualified from employment.

Can this course be used to satisfy basic police training requirements in other states?

The decision to accept basic training completed in other states to satisfy basic police training requirements is made pursuant to the rules established by the state where a person is seeking appointment as a police officer, and the law enforcement agency considering that candidate.

How does a student find more information about attending this course?

Students should contact the school of their choice that is offering the course.

General Policing Courses

The Office of Public Safety (OPS) maintains an extensive catalog of instructor level and in-service courses. These course curricula are available to law enforcement and training academies to conduct training.

The Office of Public Safety also maintains a host of online trainings and informational videos that are available to law enforcement. To request a copy of available training curricula or access to the online trainings available, please email the Office of Public Safety at [email protected]

OPS staff also deliver and facilitate a variety of trainings on contemporary law enforcement topics that include but are not limited to: 

  • Use of Force
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Active Shooter
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Drug Awareness and Investigation
  • Officer Wellness
  • Public Information Officer
  • DWI & SFST Training and Crash Management

A complete listing of upcoming training opportunities is located on the DCJS Training Calendar.