CMPA Collaborates with SFCC to Bring Police Training to Sedalia

The Central Missouri Police Academy and State Fair Community College are collaborating in order to make police training possible in the Sedalia area.

The University of Central Missouri say this is a way to provide opportunities for interested individuals in Sedalia and the surrounding area, as a way to meet training requirements and certification of law enforcement officers.

A memorandum of understanding was signed earlier this year. It enables the Central Missouri Police Academy (CMPA) housed within the Missouri Safety Center to deliver an 18-hour certificate program on the SFCC campus in Sedalia. The program begins January 14, 2020 and following coursework, testing and graduation, will be completed by September 19. 2020.

CMPA Director Tim Lowry said the program will enable a large number of individuals in the Sedalia area who want to work in the law enforcement field to obtain training in close proximity to them.

A press release from UCM says the program is structured so cadets can complete the program taking six hours of courses during the spring, summer and fall 2020 semesters. Courses are described and designed to make it more convenient for individuals who have day-time commitments to participate.

Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings and on Saturdays and Sundays.

Topics to be covered include; investigation, physical training, interviewing, de-escalation, defensive tactics, resiliency, health and nutrition, constitutional and statutory law, communication skills, firearms, and emergency first responder training.

Completing the curriculum qualifies participants to sit for the Peace Officer Standard and Training (POST) exam Class A certification with more than the required 600 hours, which provides 18 hours of “free choice electives” toward a college degree.

Graduating from the academy and passing the POST exam fulfills an essential requirement to be hired as a police officer in Missouri, according to the press release. Those credentials can also be transferred to other states.

CMPA’s mission is described as a way to make graduates more desirable and competitive in the job market; provide experiential learning by doing in a real world environment; reducing the time needed for students to earn a degree; and to maintain a competitive cost for those enrolling in the course.

Information about the program at SFCC, as well as an application to attend the training, is available at CMPA’s website.

An interview is conducted prior to admission. Anyone who is interested in interviewing for the spring 2020 program is encouraged to apply immediately.