General Information
The Southwestern Illinois College has entered into a partnership with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and has brought on board the Basic Correctional Officer (BCO) Academy. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department has been providing Correctional Officer training for nearly 3 decades.
The program is recognized by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board which enables individuals to achieve their state certification. The BCO Academy and their recruits will benefit from both entities sharing resources, knowledge, staff and facilities.
As part of this partnership, BCO Academy recruits will now receive college credits from Southwestern Illinois College as part of their education, which they can apply towards a degree in applied science.
The training course is designed to provide fundamental knowledge in the duties and responsibilities of a county Correctional Officer which includes instruction in corrections law, the Illinois County Jail Standards, investigations, human behavior, defensive tactics, firearms training and other applicable studies.
This BCO Academy echoes the Southwestern Illinois Police Academy’s belief in providing equal opportunity of learning for those that attend this program and feel that we can instill the core values of all law enforcement: Knowledge, Honor, and Integrity.
PROGRAM COSTS
Agencies will be billed tuition for officers attending. All recruits will be housed in the dormitories, regardless of agency location.
Current rates per officer including Tuition, Lodging and Meals:
8 Weeks $4829
UPCOMING SESSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
ANY DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO ILETSB APPROVAL.
SESSION 134
In Session
| Start Date | September 29, 2025 |
| Ending Date | November 21, 2025 |
SESSION 135
Seats Available!
| Start Date | January 5, 2026 |
| Ending Date | February 27, 2026 |
SESSION 136
Seats Available!
| Start Date | March 23, 2026 |
| Ending Date | May 15, 2026 |
SESSION 137
Seats Available!
| Start Date | June 15, 2026 |
| Ending Date | August 7, 2026 |
SESSION 138
Seats Available!
| Start Date | September 28, 2026 |
| Ending Date | November 20, 2026 |
Contact Information
Steven Strubberg: 618-641-4929
Shannon Meier: 618-222-5506
Office: 618-222-5396
Address: 2300 West Main Street, Belleville, IL 62226
Click Here to learn more about the Southwestern Illinois Police Academy Facilities including our new state of the art Fitness Center!
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Armed Private Security
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State Regulatory Requirements
Meets Requirements in
This program MEETS the State educational requirements for licensure, certification or registry in: Illinois
Does not Meet Requirements in
This program DOES NOT MEET the State educational requirements for licensure, certification or registry in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
Changes?
Changes from Prior Year: New