Connecticut Police Academy Requirements

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Joining a police academy is a milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. Many requirements vary from state to state, however, certain standards, such as being a citizen of the United States, are required across the board. Connecticut police academy requirements consist of, in part, the following:

CT Pre- Academy Training

Any person desiring to attend a police academy in Connecticut must first attend a Basic Training Program at either the Connecticut Police Academy or at a Council-approved Academy. Prior to the training, the applicant must be hired by a law enforcement unit (police department, etc.) within the State of Connecticut. Typically, law enforcement units solicit applicants who are then subjected, by that department, to a series of tests and evaluations prior to being hired.

CT Police Academy Training

The Connecticut Police Academy is approximately 22 weeks long. Recruit officers reside at the Academy from 8 a.m. on Monday to 6 p.m. Friday each week. Recruits must successfully pass, with a grade of 70% or better, each of 17 different academic areas as well as successfully pass each of a series of different practical skill areas (currently 12). Additionally, recruits must complete a field and departmental training program consisting of a minimum of 400 additional hours.

CT Police Academy Age Requirement

Connecticut police academy requirements for age state that State Trooper recruits must be at least 21 years of age at time of employment. There is no upper age limit. Note: The on-line application asks if you are at least 21 years of age, or will be 21 within six months.

CT Police Academy Residency and Citizenship Requirement

Applicants are required to be residents of Connecticut as well as citizens of the United States of America.
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Educational Requirement

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) time of application.  It is not a requirement that the diploma or GED be obtained within Connecticut. Correspondence or mail-order high school diplomas are not accepted. College Credits are noted, but not required.

Applicant will be required to take a written/oral examination, psychological test, as well as a polygraph examination.

Automatic Disqualification Factors

Applicants are advised that the Connecticut State Police will automatically disqualify any applicant who does not meet the general requirements as detailed below.  In addition, the following information is provided regarding our criteria for automatic disqualification:

 

  • Falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of any information during the completion of the Polygraph Screening Booklet, the Polygraph Examination, the Formal Application for Employment, and any other documents/processes associated with the Cadet Selection Procedures.
  • Substance abuse/use within a prescribed time frame and/or that is beyond what is considered experimental by the Connecticut State Police.
  • Criminal arrests/behavior which would not reflect well on the Connecticut State Police.

The core purpose of the Connecticut State Police is to seek justice, preserve peace, and improve the quality of life for all.  As such, the Department has established the core values of Honor, Service, Integrity, Respect, Trust, Courage, and Duty, and is seeking applicants who possess these traits and conduct themselves accordingly.  Certain issues within a person’s background have been identified which will result in automatic disqualification, including but not limited to:  criminal conduct (actual arrest and/or admission of behavior whether or not arrested) and substance abuse.

A preliminary determination will be made by the Connecticut State Police based upon information supplied; therefore, applicants must be forthright and honest in documenting their conduct.  Be advised that this preliminary determination is not binding as it is made based upon information provided by the applicant only.  Should an applicant continue in the selection process, the conduct will then be discussed and documented with a Connecticut State Police Officer.

Applicants are advised that all information provided to the Connecticut State Police is to contain no misrepresentation, falsification, omissions, or concealment of material fact and that, upon submission of any official document (on-line or otherwise), applicants swear or affirm that all information provided is true, complete, and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.  Applicants are further advised that all information provided is subject to later investigation.

CT Police Academy Physical Readiness

Law enforcement officers that maintain a high degree of physical conditioning are less prone to be affected by the stressful conditions of the job, sustain fewer injuries, and utilize less leave time related to illness.Connecticut’s police academy physical conditioning program combines strength training and aerobic exercise to help students develop good exercise habits and to improve their fitness level throughout the academy. It is strongly recommended that recruits begin a fitness regimen before beginning academy training.

Recruits are required to participate in physical conditioning training and testing as determined by the Police Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT).

CT Police Academy Physical Readiness Test

The tests and standards have been validated to ensure that an applicant, if selected to an Academy class, will have a reasonable chance of success in attaining a higher standard of Physical Readiness during cadet training. Failure of any one test excludes the applicant from further processing.

Academy physical training requires a great deal of physical strength and stamina.  Both the written test and the physical abilities test are designed to measure an applicant’s ability to perform satisfactorily at theTrainingAcademyand on the State’s Minimum Standards test.  The physical abilities test may include such tasks as:

Applicant will be required to pass a physical agility/ability examination.

Agility course involves:

  • 540-yard obstacle course run
  • Pull a weighted duffle to the ground within a specific space to simulate a foot chase.
  • Physically taking down a 55-pound duffel on both sides of the body
  • Squeezing a handgun trigger six times with each hand
  • Dragging a large, 135-pound simulated body for 34 feet within a lane that is only six feet wide*In Adams County, there is a mandatory obstacle course simulating a chase through a city, featuring stairs, fences and tunnels. The course culminates in dragging a 165-pound dummy for 20 feet.

The above 6 requirements must all be completed within a designated time frame.

Ability portion involves:

Completing the tasks below in repetition during an allotted time frame:

MEN

AGE: 21-29 30-39 40-49 50-older
1.5 Mile Run 11:58 12:24 13:12 14:23
Sit-ups 40 36 31 26
Push-ups 33 27 21 15

WOMEN

AGE: 21-29 30-39 40-49 50-older
1.5 Mile Run 14:04 14:34 15:34 17:19
Sit-ups 35 27 22 17
Push-ups 18 14 11 8

NOTE:  The eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time.

More information including, training, classes and job fairs can be found at the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection Website.