Module III

• Minimum age to enter the Academy is 18
• Complete the College of the Desert application process
• Possess a Department of Justice for firearms clearance (DOJ Clearance Letter) after fingerprinting. Students should obtain DOJ Clearance prior to the first day of the academy.
• Be free of any felony convictions or legal mandates that restrict or prohibit employment as a law enforcement officer or possession of a firearm
• All students are strongly encouraged to attend the Modular Academy Information Session
• Possess valid drivers license
• All students must complete a health questionnaire, and if necessary, obtain a medical clearance
• Students should be in good physical condition
• Students must attain a passing grade for advancement to Module II

Instructions on how to fulfill these requirements prior to the first day of the Academy will be given at the information session

It is important to look professional the first day, which means clean shaven, have an appropriate haircut/hairstyle with short side burns, and no makeup or jewelry. Your uniform should be cleaned and pressed with no loose strings or blemishes. Shoes should be polished to a high luster.

This Basic Peace Officer Training (BPOT) is a 16 week, 168 hour discipline/stress oriented program and is the first component of the Academy. The curriculum emphasizes Leadership, Professionalism, Ethics, First Aid/CPR, Arrest Methods/Defensive Tactics, Firearms/Chemical Agents and Vehicle Operations. In addition, there will be uniform and equipment inspections, physical exercises (running, push-ups, sit-ups, etc.) and including training in formation, facing movements with marching. Students will attend the Academy in full uniform and are required to purchase their own physical training gear and other miscellaneous supplies. This course is designed for aspiring peace officer candidates who wish to meet all training requirements for a Reserve Police Officer, Level III, in the State of California.

The class meets Saturdays from 8:00AM-5:00PM and Tuesday evenings from 6:00PM-10:00PM.

On the first day of Module III, all students should bring a copy of their DOJ Clearance Letter. Students will not be permitted to take the course without a current DOJ Clearance Letter (issued within six (6) months prior to the start of the class, any DOJ Clearance Letter issued more than six months prior to the start of the class will not be accepted). An exception is a student who obtains a letter, typed on departmental letterhead, from a state recognized law enforcement agency which agrees to sponsor the student in firearms training. If the student is sponsored by a law enforcement agency, the law enforcement agency shall incorporate in the letter that the student is not prohibited from possessing a firearm in California. ANY student convicted of a felony will not be allowed to possess a firearm in California. To obtain a DOJ Clearance Letter the student must be fingerprinted through the Live Scan Fingerprint Service and the provider of the Service will submit the fingerprints to the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice will issue the student a DOJ Clearance Letter allowing the student to possess a firearm in California or a denial letter which prevents the student from possessing a firearm in California. Please allow DOJ four (4) to six(6) weeks to process fingerprints. Live Scan Fingerprint Services may be obtained through local law enforcement agencies or private vendors. Click on the the red button below to for the Live Scan Service form:

(Note: FBI should be selected as the "Level of Service")

To optimize success in the Academy, student's are encouraged to have completed additional course work in Public Speaking and Basic Writing Skills. College of the Desert courses SP-004 and ENG-050 are strongly recommended.

An equipment list will be provided at the Academy Information Session Meeting. Effective with Spring/2014 semester all incoming Module-III recruits will be required to obtain the following newly approved uniform and equipment items. Items marked with (*) are the absolute minimum required for the first day of class after the information session. Uniform vendors will be present at the information sessions listed above.

• Tan Uniform Shirt with COD-PSA patch*
• Green BDU Uniform Pants*
• White crew-neck under-shirts*
• Green COD-PSA PT Shirt*
• Black Boots*
• Black Socks*
• White Socks (Defensive Tactics)
• Hydration Pack (Optional)
• Blousing Bands (4 recommended )*
• Shirt-stays*
• One Leather Uniform Belt*
• One Leather Duty Belt with Leather Keepers (4 recommended)
• One set of hand-cuffs
• One hand-cuff key
• One Leather hand-cuff case
• One Leather Double Magazine holder
• One Leather Duty weapon holster
• One "COD PSA" Black Cap with Adjustable Rear band*
• Medium Size Flashlight
• All Leather gear must be Basket Weaved and Nickel button snap. NO COPPER/BRASS/NYLON OR VELCRO.
• Firearms authorized for recruits are semi-automatic, double-action pistols in 9mm, 10mm, .357, .40-.45 calibers. No revolvers are allowed.
• **Any Module III Recruit who intends to utilize a College of the Desert Sig Sauer P320 firearm, should purchase a holster conducive to the Sig Sauer P320 and magazine pouches.

The following is a partial listing of course content:

• Leadership, Professionalism and Ethics
• Criminal Justice System
• Laws of Arrest
• Use of Force
• Vehicle Operations
• Search and Seizure
• Firearms/Chemical Agents
• Custody
• First Aid and CPR
• Arrest Methods and Defensive Tactics
• Investigative Report Writing

The following course materials are required to be in the possession of ALL students on the first day of class. Students may access these course materials through the link provided.

• Training and Testing Specifications (TTS)
• Safety Policy- *Canvas
• 3" White Binder
• Black watch (No smart watches)
• Pocket Dictionary
• Yellow Incident Cards (Print on Yellow Cardstock)
• Student Workbooks: A CD containing Learning Domain Workbooks for the Module III course will be provided free of charge. Students desiring to purchase hardcopy workbooks, which is highly recommended, may do so through the following POST & Kinkos links: https://docstore.fedex.com/post_ca
  http://post.ca.gov/student-workbooks.aspx

A Reserve Officer, Level III, may perform specified limited support duties and other duties that are not likely to result in physical arrests, while being supervised in the immediate vicinity of a Reserve Officer, Level I, or a full-time regular officer.

A Reserve Officer, Level III, may perform the following duties:

• Prisoner/Evidence Transport (without immediate supervision)
• Crime Prevention responsibility
• Clerical duties
• Traffic/Parade Control
• Other duties as assigned within scope of training

Once a student successfully completes Module III, he/she will be certified as having received Reserve Officer, Level III, training for the State of California and must be appointed as a reserve officer by a law enforcement agency prior to performing any specified duty.

As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve all;
to safeguard lives and property;
to protect the innocent against deception,
the weak against oppression or intimidation,
and the peaceful against violence or disorder;
and to respect the Constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality and justice.

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all;
maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule;
develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others.
Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life,
I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department.
Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions.
With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals,
I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith,
and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service.
I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession -- law enforcement.

***** Successful completion of this course is necessary for entry into Module II *****