Law Enforcement Officer Basic

Career and Technical Certificate

This course of study is designed to provide initial training for individuals wishing to enter the law enforcement career field. It also serves as a prerequisite for the Florida State Officer Certification Exam (SOCE).

Courses include Law, Vehicle Operations, Communications, First Aid, Firearms, Defensive Tactics, Patrol, Investigations, Traffic Stops, Crash Investigations, Tactical Applications, Dart-Firing Stun Gun and State Exam Review.

Practical skills and field exercises include courtroom demeanor and testifying, report writing, identification, collection and preservation of evidence, interviewing and interrogation techniques, radio communications, patrol techniques, traffic direction, traffic crash investigations, police vehicle operation, defensive tactics, arrest techniques, firearms training, chemical agent application, CPR and first aid, fingerprinting and sobriety testing.

The Criminal Justice Training Center at Northwest Florida State College is certified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Division of Criminal Justice Standards and Training.


Program Details

Class Options

Related Certificates


Career Outlook*

Employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The continued need for public safety is expected to lead to new openings for officers, although demand may vary by location.

The median annual wage for police and detectives was $61,600 in May 2016.

Average or Median Salary

$61,600

*All career data on this page, such as occupation description, career outlook and salary information reflects the national average and was sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.