News Release

All Campuses
January 29, 2003

Cerro Coso Community College Offers California Peace Officer Modular Academy at California City

Ridgecrest, CA – January 29, 2003

Steven W. Busby, Director of Public Safety Programs at Cerro Coso Community College will be offering a Basic Academy Modular Format Academy set to begin February 18, 2003. This academy is a certified California Peace Officer standards and Training Certified Academy, which on completion of all levels is equivalent to the completion of the Basic Peace Officer Academy. The Modular academy is offered in a three-tiered format with the first tier being Level III. Level III is a two-part level that starts with the PC 832 Course (64 hour course) and after successful completion of that course students will move to Part 2 of the Level III tier (118 hour course). Successful completion moves the student to the Level II Course (294.5 hour course) and then to Level I.

According to Busby, if you have a desire for a full-time position with a California Law Enforcement Agency or just want to serve your community as a Reserve Peace Officer this training will fulfill the necessary training requirements. Because of the modular format participants are afforded the ability to work at their current jobs while getting the training. The PC 832 class will be held in California City Middle School on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 10:00 PM and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The start date will be February 18, and this level will end March 15, 2003. Registration can be done at any of the Cerro Coso Community College sites, online registration at http://www.cerrocoso.edu, or by telephone registration at the Coyote Connection (866) 215-1960. Late registration can be completed on the first night of class.

"The support of local law enforcement agencies for this training is evident by the number of graduates of the academy who are hired as either full-time or reserve officers. All of the instructors have extensive careers in law enforcement and bring their subject matter expertise to the academy. The diversity of the instructional staff gives participants a wide view of law enforcement from different perspectives. The academy staff works for state, county and municipal agencies and bring real life experiences to compliment their instruction," states Busby.

The process to become a member of this academy is relatively simple. Participants must register for the first level course, PC 832 Arrest and Firearms at the college. This is a 64-hour introductory course that enables students to start the fundamental steps to build upon in subsequent levels. The second step is to have a Live Scan Fingerprint check completed, information about this will be supplied the first night of class. This is a state mandated process for all students entering a peace officer academy. The third step for the student is having access to a firearm, holster and ammunition for the firing range portion of the class. The firearm must be a caliber of no less than 9mm and be double action. Specific firearms questions can be answered by calling Steven Busby at the below number.

Steven Busby can be reached at (760) 384-6304 or sbusby@cerrocoso.edu for any specific questions. Participants can contact Margaret Mauldin, who can be reached at (760) 384-6257, to obtain a cost sheet for this level of the academy at the college campus.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Facilities Development and Services (760) 384-6230