Administration of Justice Offers First-Time Law Enforcement Pre-Academy
The new Law Enforcement Pre-Academy Program, offered through Merritt College’s Administration of Justice Department for the first time in Fall Semester 2015, offers the unique opportunity to get the hands-
on training needed for the rigorous police academy required for all police applicants as well as the knowledge to pass the certification test.
This 13-week program, starting September 16, will be taught by Howard Jordan, retired Oakland Chief of Police, along with more than a dozen members of the Oakland Police Department (OPD) and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. The classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6-8:20 p.m. and a number of Saturdays for specific hands-on experiences.
Throughout the 3-unit program, students will learn about academy rules and regulations, physical fitness and nutrition, report writing, defensive driving, professional conduct, law enforcement, defensive tactics, police ethics, the background investigation process, radio procedures, and test prep and assessment, among other topics.
“This is a rare chance for potential police officers to get up to speed on the physical aspects and knowledge necessary to be successful in a police academy,” says Margaret Dixon, who heads Merritt’s AJ Department and is a retired OPD officer. “Our instructors offer decades of experience in the field to pass on to the students.”
Students can enroll in the program on its own or combine it within an Administration of Justice certificate or degree curriculum (www.merritt.edu/adjus).
Seats are limited, so register now for Law Enforcement Pre-Academy (ADJUS 200, Course Number 44691) by going to www.peralta.edu.
For more information, contact Howard Jordan at hjordan@peralta.edu or Margaret Dixon at mdixon@peralta.edu.