Police Academy/Act 120
Learn about Police Academy/Act 120 training at HACC’s Law Enforcement Complex (Piccola)
Professionals train here!
If you have decided to attend our Academy, or are seeking more information on our Academy, we absolutely believe you have made a great decision…the right decision!
Many departments chose the HACC Municipal Police Academy program to train their new hires, who are called “in-service cadets.” We are proud to serve these departments.
Additionally, people who are seeking an edge in securing an officer position, by completing their Academy training first, seek us out due to our outstanding reputation. We produce a highly trained individual—who is immediately ready for employment! These are our “pre-service cadets.”
So, whether you are in-service or pre-service, we stand ready to serve you!
The HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College (HACC) Municipal Police Academy (919-hours) – General Information
As the need for education and training of municipal police officers increases, the Piccola Law Enforcement Complex (PLEC), at the HACC, continues to meet this need! Our Full-Time Academy is a certified law enforcement training center under the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) ACT 120.
The full-time academy is conducted twice a year, over a 25-27-week period. The Academy sessions are conducted from January until late June/early July, and then from July until December.
The course of instruction consists of all major phases of police service, including a significant component of situational training. All curricula conforms to the MPOETC standards. Once a cadet graduates from their academy, they will possess the initial skills and information necessary to begin his/her police career!
Police Academy Outline
- Intro to the Academy
- Intro to Law Enforcement in PA
- Laws and Criminal Procedures
- Juveniles
- Human Relations
- Responding to Special Needs
- Homeland Security
- Vehicle Code Enforcement
- Crash Investigation
- Patrol Procedures and Operations
- Criminal Investigation
- Drug Law Enforcement
- Case Preparation
- Operation of Patrol Vehicles
- Physical and Emotional Readiness
- Defensive Tactics
- Firearms
- Emergency Response Training
- Handling Arrested Persons
- Scenarios and Practice Exercises
Note: Individuals who successfully complete the Act 120 Police Academy program may be eligible to receive up to 21 credits, if they enroll in the Criminal Justice Program.
Types of Cadets Who May Attend the Academy
“In-Service Cadet” – Applicants who have been hired by an agency – All municipal officers and county detectives must complete the basic training program (the Academy) prior to performing any police-related duty within their department.
Our Academy Faculty
Academy instructors are dedicated law enforcement professionals who possess considerable academic and practical experience. In fact, approximately 90 percent of the faculty have served—or are serving—in law enforcement positions. We are very proud that our instructors are considered Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in the material they instruct.
Academy Fitness - Start Working Out!
NOTE: Before starting any workout program, you should consult your physician to make sure you physically able to do so safely!
All applicants will be required to pass an entry physical fitness test to gain admission to the Academy. The standards are set by the MPOETC. We strongly encourage you to take a look at the standards, as presented in the document/link below:
MPOETC Fitness Charts (pdf)
Go to this link for the PT standards and videos on the MPOETC website demonstrating the PT Tests.
https://mpoetc.psp.pa.gov/training/Pages/Physical-Fitness.aspx
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out at policetrng@hacc.edu
General Questions and Concerns - Contact Information
For general questions, you may email the Academy at the following email address: policetrng@hacc.edu
