Law Enforcement Schooling Programs In Alabama
In Alabama there are only 10 police academies that are accredited by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission . A cop must attend one of these academies to be properly certified as a law enforcement officer in the state of Alabama:
- Alabama Criminal Justice Training Center
1005 Charles Byrd Blvd., Selma, AL 36703
334-263-8950
- APOSTC Law Enforcement Academy at Tuscaloosa
7601 Robert Cardinal Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
205-759-3000
- APOSTC Law Enforcement Academy-Baldwin County
15950 Mosley Road, Stapleton, AL 36578
251-937-1840
401 6th Avenue South, Birmingham , AL 35205
205-254-6356
- Department of Corrections Training Academy
351 Craig Industrial Park, Selma, AL 36701
334-872-6228
1220 11th Street, Huntsville, TX 77340
936-291-5480
- Jefferson County Law Enforcement Academy
3500 Happy Hollow Road, Fultondale, AL 35068
205-849-5246
8080 Airport Blvd., Mobile, AL 36608
251-208-1300
5880 Old Hayneville Road, Montgomery, AL
334-241-2703
Police Departments In Alabama
Alabama has 417 law enforcement agencies and roughly 250 sworn police officers per 100,000 residents.5 The state of Alabama covers 52,419 square miles. Its capital city is Montgomery and the largest city by population is Birmingham. Age requirements for aspiring police officers vary across the state, but all cities require candidates to possess a high school diploma or GED, have no felony convictions, possess a valid drivers license, and not have been dishonorably discharged from the military.
Submit Supplemental Application And Required Documents
Our Internal Affairs Division will reach out to you to prompt you to submit additional information. The supplemental applicationmust be completed before you can proceed to the next step in the hiring process.
In addition to the supplemental application, you will be prompted to submit documentation of your high school and/or college diplomas and existing test scores on ACT WorkKeys. To meet the academic requirements, applicants who do not have an earned college diploma from an accredited college or university must complete and submit ACT WorkKeys to Internal Affairs.
Do you live in the Huntsville area? You can take your ACT WorkKeys at Calhoun or Drake State. If you dont live in the Huntsville area, you can find a test center near you to schedule your ACT WorkKeys.
These educational assessments must be completed before you can move on to the next step in the hiring process. If incomplete information is submitted, educational assessments do not meet the bare minimum or if the supplemental application is not completed by the deadline, you will be notified via e-mail.
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How To Become A Police Officer In Jacksonville
Jacksonville is a growing city with a population of about 868,000.1 Residents of Jacksonville can enjoy the citys white sandy beaches and low cost of living, which is 8% less than the national average.1 Jacksonvilles crime rate is higher than similarly-sized metro areas, with 478.9 violent crimes and 2,894.3 property crimes per 100,000 people.2 The consolidated Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the city and is continually seeking to reduce crime rates and keep residents safe. The JSO employs over 1,000 sworn police officers to accomplish these aims.3 Aspiring police officers will find that the city is a great place to start their careers. Men and women who wish to join the ranks of law enforcement in Jacksonville should continue reading for the application, selection, and training process.
Corrections Officer Salary In Alabama
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2012, that the median correctional officer salary in Alabama during 2012 was $33,560.
Below is the step-by-step salary plan offered to correctional officers of different ranks in Alabama as provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections:
Correctional Officer Trainee:
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Is A Troopers Job The Right Job For Me
Not everyone has the ability or temperament to successfully undertake a long-term career in police work. If you can honestly answer yes to the following questions, you may possess the character and qualities the Alabama Department of Public Safety is seeking:
- Do I sincerely desire to serve the state of Alabama?
- Am I conscientious, motivated, responsible and eager to learn?
- Am I concerned about my community and fellow Alabamians?
- Can I perform my duties without prejudice involving anothers race, creed, gender or nationality?
- Can I be trusted to work alone with minimal supervision?
- Can I and my family live with the inherent dangers of the job, separation from home and irregular work hours?
- Am I prepared to make life-or-death decisions involving the use of deadly force?
- Am I responsible and self-sufficient enough to enforce traffic and criminal laws working alone in isolated, rural areas of the state?
- Can I exhibit honesty and integrity in all my dealings with the public, court officials and supervisors?
- Can I take command and make responsible decisions when confronted with emergencies or personal danger?
- Can I follow orders?
- Can I successfully undertake the regimented and strenuous physical and mental training at the trooper academy?
- Submit
Basic Qualifications For Becoming A Probation/parole Officer In Alabama
Applicants for the job of Alabama Probation/Parole must meet the following basic requirements:
- Have a valid drivers license
- Possess a four-year degree from an accredited college/university with a major in criminal justice or a related subject. Students may apply during their last semester but must graduate before being officially hired.
- Must be willing to work irregular hours.
- Must never have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving force, violence or immorality.
- Must complete a Probation & Parole Officer Willingness Questionnaire that consists of yes or no questions like, Are you willing to work with persons who have HIV? It is suggested that anyone who cannot answer yes to all 24 questions should reconsider the decision to apply.
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Testing Schedule For Police Officer Applicants
To be announced Physical Agility/Abilities Test held at the Anniston Aquatic Center, 130 Summerall Gate Road Anniston, AL 36205 at 9 am. Please call Lt. Lloyd at if you need further assistance.
To be announced Written Test held at the Anniston Police Department. In order to be eligible to take this test, you have to successfully complete the Physical Agility/Abilities Test listed above prior to the date of the written test.
To be announced Background checks will be begin for applicants.
To be announced Interview with command staff and Chief of Police.
To be announced Swear in
To be announced Start of police academy.
Salary Range:
- $29,682.90 $45,161.08 annually. Additionally, all sworn officers receive $150 monthly Public Safety pay and $600 yearly uniform allowance.
- Starting pay $35,290.02 annually. $16.97/hr.
Benefits:
- Retirement package
- All uniforms and equipment provided by the city.
Applicants for the position of police officer must:
- Be at least 19 years of age
- Be a United States citizen
- Be a graduate of an accredited high school or have obtained a GED
- Not have been convicted of any felony, or any misdemeanor which precludes you from possessing a firearm
- Must be able to meet the new education requirement listed below:
The three components of the WorkKeys Assessment and the passing scores for applicants are as follows: Reading , pass score 4, Locating Information , pass score 4, and Applied Mathematics, pass score 3.
Sergeant Justin Hartley /
How Much Does A Police Officer Make In Columbia Alabama
Law enforcement officers are the definition of hard working. They literally lay down their lives as a part of their job. Nevertheless, their income can be considered as nickels and cents when compared to the incomes of physicians or Veterinarians. They do get a lot of benefits being a cop, though. A law enforcement officers salary is controlled by several things like the location he is working in, how many hours he/she works, and what unit he is working under. Now we will use this chance to reveal to you the typical salary of dissimilar law enforcement officials and show how they can earn more.
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Mobile Alabama Corrections Officer Job Description
The city of Mobile, Alabama has the distinction of being the states third largest city, and its only salt-water port. Lying along the northern part of the Gulf Coast, Mobiles main industries are concerned with shipyards and ports. However, Mobile is also close to a federal correctional institution. The Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, Florida is just 50 miles east of Mobile.
Additionally, Mobile is near the following correctional facilities maintained by the Alabama Department of Corrections:
- Mobile Work Release Center, in Mobile County
- Loxley Community Work Center and Work Release Center, in Baldwin County
Education Needed to Become a Correctional Officer in Mobile
Federal Education Requirements Those residing in Mobile who aspire to become federal correctional officers must first have a bachelors degree. This degree may be in any field, and is necessary in order to apply for the GS5, entry-level federal correctional officer job. For those who have nine graduate hours of college education, the possibility of obtaining a higher GS6 federal correctional officer job exists.
Applicants who have work experience in law enforcement, corrections, or treatment of mental health customers may also apply for a GS6 federal correctional officer job in Mobile. Other prerequisites that must be met prior to applying for a job include U.S. citizenship and being under age 37.
Required Training for Correctional Officers in Mobile
Locations of Correctional Officer Jobs Around Mobile
Salary Benefits And Jobs Outlook
The starting base salary for police officers in Jacksonville is $38,592 per year.4 After graduation from the police academy and field training program, Jacksonville cops salaries increase to $40,622 police officers are eligible for further annual increases up to a maximum of $66,528 per year.4 On average, police in Jacksonville earn $51,610 per year.5 Benefits for Jacksonville police include annual leave and paid holidays, medical insurance, take-home vehicles, and a patrol schedule of 15 work days per month.4 The City of Jacksonville pension plan allows officers to contribute 10% of their salary with a 25% match from the city.4
The number of law enforcement officers in Florida is projected to increase by 12.9% through 2026, with about 528 new jobs created per year on average.6 With police officer employment on the rise and the number of retirements increasing, Jacksonville would be a great place for an aspiring cop to start a career. As hopeful cops apply, its good to keep in mind that employment for police officers is tied to local budgets. For more information on current JSO law enforcement positions, take a look at our jobs board page.
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Important Notice November 30 2020
2021 CERTIFICATION TRAINING CURRICULUM:
The Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission has adopted a revised training curriculum for the Basic certification training program. The 2021 basic academy curriculum is now 560 hours and is scheduled to be taught over a 14-week period.
The 2021 curriculum for the Lateral/Refresher program has been expanded from 95 hours to 120 hours and will be taught over a three-week period.
The 2021 academy training schedules have been adjusted to reflect the required curriculum. There is no increase in academy tuition for 2021.
Minimum Requirements To Be A Police Officer In Alabama
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Birmingham Alabama Corrections Officer Job Description
Alabamas largest city, Birmingham, has the eighth-highest crime rate of any city in the United States, per FBI statistics. In 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranked Birmingham as the third most dangerous city in the U.S. Forcible rape and homicide are two of the biggest crimes in the Birmingham area.
Birmingham lies just 50 miles from the Federal Correctional Institution-Talladega. Birmingham correctional officer jobs may be based out of this federal institution or from the following nearby state facilities operated under the Alabama Department of Corrections:
- Donaldson Correctional Facility, Bessemer
- St. Clair Correctional Facility, Springville
- Birmingham Work Release Center, Birmingham
- Childersburg Community Work Center, Childersburg
Requirements of Corrections Officers in Birmingham
Under the requirements of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, correctional officers need to possess a bachelors degree in any field in order to obtain an entry-level job. Work experience of three years or more in teaching, counseling, supervising, emergency situations, guidance, sales or other positions may be used to fulfill the educational requirement.
For a higher grade correctional officer job, 9 graduate hours of studies, or one year of experience working in law enforcement, mental health treatment or corrections is required. Additionally, Birmingham federal correctional officers must be U.S. citizens under age37.
Training for Corrections Officers in Birmingham
Apostc Education Requirements Law Enforcement Academy
The applicant must successfully complete 480 hours of basic training at an approved academy.The applicant must satisfactorily complete the law enforcement training course within the time set forth in the statutory requirement of the Code of Alabama, Title 36-21-46.In order to successfully complete the police training course and be certified by the Commission, the applicant must achieve the following:An overall score of not less than 70% on written exams,Pass the first aid exam with a score of not less than 70% ,Pass the legal issues exam with a score of not less than 70% ,Pass the physical agility/ability test ,A score of at least 70% on the firearms course ,Students shall not be absent more than 5% of the required training hours.The trainee in addition to complying with the Commissions rules and regulations shall comply with all rules and regulations promulgated by the approved academy.The trainee shall comply with all rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission.
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Cities And Police Departments Near Jacksonville
An estimated 2,720 police and sheriffs patrol officers work in the greater Jacksonville metro.5 In addition to urban employment settings with the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, prospective cops in this area can find opportunities with police departments servicing the multiple suburban communities surrounding Jacksonville. The table below compares police employment and crime rates for selected Jacksonville-area towns.
| City |
|---|
| 1.8 |
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Alabama Police Jobs Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are currently 10,420 people serving as law enforcement officers in Alabama, earning an average of $44,490 per year.3 It is projected that by 2024, that workforce will grow by 4.9% to 11,210 police officers, sheriffs deputies, and state troopers.8 On average, there are expected to be 740 law enforcement job openings per year in the state.8 This number may fluctuate as budgets for new officers are closely tied to city budgets and priorities, and officers may retire, relocate, or change industries.
For a full listing of law enforcement jobs in your area, check out our police jobs board.
Important Notice July 14 2020
The Basic Ability Test is available for remote administration.
Due to COVID-19, many testing centers operated by the Alabama Community Colleges have been forced to close. As such, it has become difficult, if not impossible, for individuals to sit for the APOSTC Basic Ability Test . Calhoun Community College has established a process to administer the BAT/ACT Work-Keys, remotely.
If your agency has employees or applicants who need to take this examination, this option may be of interest to you. In order to utilize this option, your agency will need a computer with internet connectivity, and your agency will be required to provide a supervisory officer to proctor the examination. Payment for testing services can be made with a credit card, or CCC can bill your agency on a per test/monthly basis.
For more information regarding this process, please contact the ACT Test Center at Calhoun Community College below you will find a phone number and email address.
Calhoun Community College can be reached by email at or by phone at 256-306-2522.
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Alabama Sheriff Deputy Requirements
Alabama has 67 counties and there is at least one sheriff for each county. Jefferson County is the largest county in Alabama its sheriffs department has 573 sworn deputies and 168 civilian employees.4
To qualify as a sheriffs deputy for Jefferson County, candidates must:
- Possess a high school diploma or GED
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Not have any felony convictions
- Not have any domestic violence convictions
- Pass a medical exam and drug test
- Possess a valid drivers license and a good history or driving
- Pass the Alabama physical agility test and knowledge exams
- Not have been dishonorably discharged from the military