Recognizing the need for professional, well-trained police officers, the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in cooperation with the Cape May County Police Chief's Association and the Cape May County Prosecutor, established the Public Safety Training Center in 1980. The Police Academy received state certification for Basic Police training in 1987.

Beside offices, the Police Academy has an instructor preparation office and three large classrooms with the latest in instructional aids and audio-video equipment. On site is a 30 and 15 position 50-yard outdoor range, an outdoor shotgun range with automatic skeet machines, a Dual-a-Tron firing system, a FATS machine, and a four lane 25 yard indoor range. Our facility has a complete fitness center with locker rooms, over 8000 pounds of Olympic Weights, Universal Machine, Nautulis equipment and aerobic machines.

The Police Academy recently opened it's 1.1 million dollar expansion project that includes a 100 seat elevated classroom with a rear projection system and fiber opic computer system. The project also includes new offices, a driving simulator room, a Firearms Training System (FATS) room, a break room for students, and new bathroom facilities.

The Police Academy has available limited motel space through the Cape May County Vocational High School hotel/motel program. These rooms are triple AAA rated and come complete with color television, refrigerator and coffee maker. They are available on a first come basis. Prices range from $20.00 per night plus tax. Our dormitory can also be used by full time officers when our basic recruit class is not in session at a price of $8.00 per night. Contact the Police Academy for further information or check out the housing section of this bulletin.

The Police Academy offers 3200 hours of basic and advanced in-service courses training approximately 1500 police officers throughout the year. The Academy is presently the only residential Basic Police Recruit Training Program in the State. The Police Academy is one of the few academies in the state that offers the Alternate Route Basic Training Program. Check out this section on the home page.

Special Law Enforcement OfficerClass I and II training is offered on a continuing basis. The police departments in Cape May County are constantly searching for qualified candidates to work on their departments during the summer months. Check out employment opportunities on the home page.
The Police Academy is proud to be one of twenty-seven (27) regional training sites in the country for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Ga. which enables us to offer quality courses that are free to police aganecies. An Articulation Agreement with Atlantic Cape Community College awards the student with 16 credits upon completion of the Basic Training Course at the Cape May County Police Academy. These credits are officially awarded upon enrollment and successful completion of the remaining general education courses and career area courses in the Associate in Science Degree Program.

The academy recently started a residential based County Correctional Academy. The program is 400 hours long and meets all Police Training Commission guidelines for full correctional officer certification. The program includes, educational courses, firearms, defensive tactics, firearms and first responder training.

The academy is an approved veterans training site enables those whom have served our country to apply for funds while participating in certain courses.

The Academy has a close working relationship with the Cape May County Chiefs of Police who sponsor a Citizen Police Academy to help people understand the police officer and commitment that is needed in this profession. Check out the Citizens Academy on the home page.
The academy presently has over 90 law enforcement instructors who are experts in their fields and possess advanced college degrees, or are FBINA graduates or West Point Command and Leadership graduates and instructors.

Finally, the Academy is sponsored by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders who are committed to bringing the finest law enforcement training available to our law enforcement professionals. Their continued support of the programs and projects demonstrate their committment to the citizens and police officers of this county.