About the Police Academy

For more information on the Police Academy, please contact the Director Larry Gilbert at 618-235-2700, ext. 5396 or x5265 or by e-mail at larry.gilbert@swic.edu or visit the Police Academy site.

Southwestern Illinois College's Police Academy is a 10-week intensive academic and physical training program designed to prepare qualified applicants to enter a career in law enforcement as a patrol officer or deputy sheriff.

The basic training course includes all aspects of entry-level law enforcement ranging from legal issues, citizen interaction and communication to investigation, state-of-the-art firearms training and defensive tactics. Instructors employed in law enforcement teach the courses. This course of study is mandatory for newly appointed police officers in Illinois.

Southwestern's Police Academy is one of only six in the state certified and approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.

The academy serves the southernmost region of the state. Commuter academy services are available for recruits who live in St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, Clinton, Bond and Washington counties. Recruits who live outside of these counties are entitled to special rates for housing in local hotels.

The Police Academy Program

Employs instructors working in law enforcement
Provides free tutoring
Provides weekly progress reports to the recruits' departments
Uses police department reports for academy projects
Provides behind-the-wheel defensive driving training
Uses computerized training scenarios
Performs actual field sobriety tests
Uses the officers' and departments' equipment, when possible, in practical training
Teaches a community-oriented policing philosophy
Forwards all written reports and practical evaluations to recruits' departments
Uses field training officers for scenarios evaluations

Career Opportunities

A graduate of the Police Academy is prepared to work as a:

Patrolman

Sheriff's Deputy

Salary

The Economic Research Institute reported the average starting salary for a police officer was $18,500. The average salary in the career field is $29,500. The average for experienced officers is $43,500. According to the American Federation of Police, some officers earned more than $85,000 based on rank.

Code of Ethics

The men and women who are admitted into police training have been carefully selected to function in the important role of law enforcement officers. This is a trusted position that requires exemplary behavior on the part of those chosen to protect and serve the citizens of their community. The character, integrity and honesty of officers of the law must be beyond reproach.

The Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy "Expects the Best" of its faculty and staff and of those who attend its basic police training program. The academy demands the trainees conduct themselves at all times in a manner that brings respect to themselves, their department and their community.

Graduation Requirements

Upon successful completion of the 10-week program, the student will earn 17.5 hours of college credit and be awarded a Basic law Enforcement Certificate from the Police Academy. The recruit will be allowed to take the Illinois Police Officer's State Certification Test.