Cape May County Police Academy

The twenty (20) week Basic Course for Police Officers is a full residential program that requires recruits to live on campus Monday through Friday as they train. Presently this is the only police academy in the State of New Jersey offering such a program for municipal police officers. Upon completion of the program the officers receive full certification from the New Jersey Police Training Commission.
The program includes courses in professionalism, ethics, history of law enforcement, the criminal justice system, New Jersey criminal and motor vehicle laws, laws of arrest, search and seizure, use of force, interviews, confessions and Miranda, laws of evidence, criminal investigation, narcotics, juvenile law, domestic violence, traffic enforcement, vehicle operations, stress management, first aid, community relations, physical fitness, defensive tactics, police baton, firearms and chemical agents.

Additionally, the program offers electives of boxing, survival shooting, force on force training using marked cartidges (real life judgemental shooting situations) and practical training situations.

The officers also receive certification in Community Policing from the NJ Community Policing Institute, American Red Cross Community Water Rescue Certification, Automatic External Defibulator AED Certification, qualify for Radar Certification, and receive First Responder Certification. Additionally the officers graduating can apply for 12 college credits at Atlantic Cape Community College.

Officers attending can also take additional courses on their own time if they elect though the Law Enforcement Training Network (LETN) received by satellite at the academy.

Last year we had a waiting list for entry to the academy, so apply early and reserve your spots. For further information contact the police academy at 609-465-1134 or e-mail us at gschaffer@cmcpoliceacademy.com.

Currently the academy offers two programs for Special Law Enforcement Officers Class II. Upon graduating these officers receive full New Jersey Police Training Commission Certification and have full police powers while working. Many officers are employed in Cape May County to supplement the full time officers during the seasonal summer periods.

In an effort to assist local law enforcement agencies with manpower before Memorial Day weekend and the start of the summer tourism season, the academy developed a full certification program that runs part time during the winter months. This enables recruits to attend the program while working or going to school.

The program runs every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday nights from 5:30pm to 10:00pm and every Saturday from the last week in December through the second week in May. Recruits do not attend on holidays.

The program consists of 471 hours of training. The program includes courses in professionalism, ethics, history of law enforcement, the criminal justice system, New Jersey criminal and motor vehicle laws, laws of arrest, search and seizure, use of force, interviews, confessions and Miranda, laws of evidence, criminal investigation, narcotics, juvenile law, domestic violence, traffic enforcement, vehicle operations, stress management, first aid, community relations, physical fitness, defensive tactics, police baton, firearms and chemical agents. Addiitonally officers are trained in practical excerises, training using marking firearm cartidges (real life decision making under live fire) and American Red Cross Community Water Certification. They additionally receive CPR certification through the American Red Cross.

Many officers use this program as a stepping stone to full time police employment. Officers can apply for twelve college credits through Cape Atlantic CommunityCollege. For further information contact the academy at 609-465-1134 or email us at gschaffer@cmcpoliceacademy.com.

The SLEO Class II summer program starts immediately after most colleges have completed. The program is a condensed training program offering 451 hours of training and enabling graduating officers to receive full New Jersey Police Training Commission Certification as Class Two Special Law Enforcement Officers. Thses offciers have the same enforcement powers as full time officers while they work.

The academy starts the first weekend in May and ends by the last week in June. Officers train six days per week.

The program includes courses in professionalism, ethics, history of law enforcement, the criminal justice system, New Jersey criminal and motor vehicle laws, laws of arrest, search and seizure, use of force, interviews, confessions and Miranda, laws of evidence, criminal investigation, narcotics, juvenile law, domestic violence, traffic enforcement, vehicle operations, stress management, first aid, community relations, physical fitness, defensive tactics, police baton, firearms and chemical agents. Addiitonally officers are trained in practical excerises, force on force training using marking cartidges (real life decision making under live fire) and American Red Cross Community Water Certification. They additionally receive CPR certification through the American Red Cross.

The Class One Special Law Enforcement Officer has limited enforcement powers. The officer may enforce laws for motor vehicle violations, city ordinances, petty disorderly persons offenses and disorderly persons offenses. Upon graduation the officer receives full certification as a Class One Special Law Eenforcement Officer from the New Jersey Police Training Commission and have these enforcemnt powers while working.

This academy course is 80 hours long and includes courses in criminal law, motor vehicle law, community responsibility, handling disputes and disturbances, traffic direction, use of force, handcuffing, defensive tactics, police baton, first aid and CPR.

The academy runs two 80 hour courses beginning the second week in May. For further information contact the academy at 609-465-1134 or email us at gschaffer@cmcpoliceacademy.com.