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Law Enforcement Pre-Academy

Intro to Law Enforcement Academy (LE 310) and Academy Assessment Testing

Law Enforcement Training Complex
One Hancock Drive, Building 5
Lompoc, CA 93436

Important Information

In order to attend the Pre-Academy, you must:

The Pre-Academy is a 2-day intensive, high-stress orientation course designed to help students determine if they are prepared for the Law Enforcement Academy.  Completion of this course (20 hours) is mandatory for students planning on attending the Full-time Law Enforcement Academy.  Students will participate in Academy activities such as class lectures, note taking, written tests, physical fitness exercises, military drill and ceremony, all of which are designed to simulate the daily challenges and requirements recruits must face while attending the Law Enforcement Academy. Students will also participate in a series of self-assessment exercises that will help students assess their individual emotional, mental, and physical readiness prior to entering the Academy. The Pre-Academy is presented in a very rigorous and disciplined training environment.

Students attending Pre-Academy should be able to complete the minimum physical fitness assessment:

  • 1.5 mile run (min 10 points, under 15 minutes)
  • 25 push ups - ( 2 points each, no time limit)
  • 35 sit ups - (1 point each, in two minutes)
  • 1 unassisted pull up (5 points each)
  • Minimum score of 100 points 
  • Complete the Beep test beyond stage 3

The PT Assessment is scored based on your performance. The faster you run and the more push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups you complete, the higher your score. Your combined PT ranking and PELLETB ranking determines your eligibility ranking into the academy as an independent recruit.

Students should arrive at the pre-academy in top physical condition. Students should also hydrate (drink at least 8 glasses of water a day) at least 48 hours before the start of the pre-academy.

Students with pre-existing injuries or disabilities must contact the course coordinator or college student services office for advisement. 

Get sponsored:

Law enforcement agencies around the state are seeking qualified candidates.  Go here to find who is hiring in California.  Look for positions listed as "trainee", "recruit" or "entry level".  If you start as an independent recruit and get hired during the academy, agencies start paying you as you complete the academy.

Academy Prep: 

  1. If you are serious about attending the academy, there are some things you can do ahead of time to enter the academy prepared.
  2. Resources:
    1. PELLETB study guide and FAQ page from POST
      1. If you need a PELLETB test and cannot wait until April or October, the South Bay Regional Training Center administers the test weekly. 
      2. Go here to register: https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests
    2. POST Workbooks for the academy.  
    3. Recruit Manual, good to read now before the academy starts.
    4. Report Writing Manual, good to practice with line guide (3/16).
    5. Report Forms, use to practice memos and autobiography
    6. Academy fitness prep guide.
    7. Academy workbook and memorandum prep guide.

Pre-Academy Dates:

    • March 23-24 (CRN 42227) (Sat-Sun), 7 am - 5:30 pm, PSTC, Lompoc, CA
      • PT Assessment: March 23, 2024 @ 9 am
      • POST PELLETB test: March 24, 2024 (Sun) 7 am (bring photo ID)
      • Application period for Class 24-127: March 30 - April 30, 2024
      • Academy Class 24-127, Fall 2024

PELLETB Testing

  • see above

If you have questions regarding the pre-academy or the Full-time Basic Academy, contact one of the Academy Coordinators.  Please read the information provided on the website, review the application process and read the Frequently Asked Questions page before calling one of the coordinators:

Marc Hammill at 1-805-922-6966 ext. 3861

Alison Martinez at 1-805-922-6966 ext. 3812

Registration Process 

Students planning on attending LE 310 Intro to Law Enforcement Academy (Pre-Academy) must submit a current credit semester college application apply online, and then register for LE 310 Intro to Law Enforcement Academy on myHancock. When registering online, you will be required to pay in full all college registration fees or you will be dropped for non-payment.

Pre-Academy Attendance Instructions (MANDATORY READ) 

For attendance instructions and requirements click on Pre-Academy Syllabus pdf and Pre-Academy Attendance Instructions for full details of what is required for successful completion of Pre-Academy. All attendees should be prepared and read the following packet. (partial recruit manual)

Pre-Academy and Law Enforcement Academy Preparation

LE 480 Women in Public Safety Careers.

This course is designed to prepare women for successful completion of a Public Safety Basic Academy in Law Enforcement, Fire Technology or Emergency Medical Services. This course will focus on preparation for the physical, academic, emotional and psychological rigors of Academy training. Improving upper body strength and general physical fitness is one of the main components of the course.  

Meeting two evenings a week, students work to increase their strength on weight training equipment and practice obstacle course skills that they will be tested on during academy training. The semester long course meets on the Lompoc campus Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:50 p.m. and is offered in the spring and fall semester.

Students can submit a credit semester application to the college apply online and register online for LE 480 Women in Public Safety Careers. When registering online, you will be required to pay in full all college registration fees.

Additional Information

For additional information on the Allan Hancock College Law Enforcement Academy, Questions or contact the Law Enforcement Training office at 1-805-922-6966 ext. 3284.