Why Not You?! Have you ever thought about being a part of the resolution to many societal concerns? Metropolitan Community College has a great opportunity for you. Enrolling in the Public Safety Institute’s Police Academy provides a path for a long, respectable, fulfilling career in the criminal justice field.
Program highlights
- In 18 weeks, you can receive your State of Missouri Law Enforcement License and 37 credit hours towards a degree in police science.
- Our peace officer curriculum provides lecture-based and hands-on instruction to give
recruits valuable experience and decision-making skills that are vital in the field.
- Peace officer training includes communication skills, cultural sensitivity, de-escalation techniques, instruction, and training in recognizing when and what type of intervention needs to occur, physical fitness and defensive tactics training, firearms training, advanced emergency driver training, and extensive scenario-based training.
- Each recruit is assigned a laptop for their use during the PSI academy.
- Newly designed Public Safety Institute classrooms can hold up to 40 recruits. Each room has large-screen Smart Boards to enhance learning.
- From 2018 to 2024, we have had a 100% student pass rate on the POST certification exam.
Options to assist you with tuition costs
- Missouri’s Blue Scholarship - A law enforcement training academy scholarship making up to $5,000 available for each selected non-sponsored law enforcement academy recruit to help cover the cost of attending a Missouri basic training academy.
- Military/Veterans - Military and veteran-friendly community college serving service members for many years. We can help you maximize your benefits while you explore your opportunities.
Public Safety Institute Training Facility
Since 1996, the MCC-Blue River Public Safety Institute (PSI) Police Academy program has provided certified training as set forth by the Missouri Department of Public Safety's Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) program, the governing agency responsible for the licensure and skills that are vital in the field.
A $10 million renovation of the facility includes the newest upgrades in technology and equipment which enhances the learning environment.
- FATS System - FATS utilizes digital interactive training technology allowing officers to develop decision-making skills by responding to real-life scenarios where force may be necessary.
- Driving Simulator - as in the training of driver's education courses taught in educational institutions and private businesses. They are also used for research purposes in the area of human factors and medical research, to monitor driver behavior, performance and attention.
- PDC Track (Precision Driving Course) – MCC-Blue River PSI has the only PDC track in the state of Missouri besides KCPD’s academy. The PSI is the only PSI academy in the state with a track that has sponsored and non-sponsored recruits.
- Situational Training Rooms – The PSI has state of the art situational training rooms use for situational practical’s, along with monitoring equipment in our newly built debriefing Room.
Police Academy
We offer a full-time academy that occurs in the fall and spring semester, and a part-time academy that overlaps both the fall and spring semester.
Full-time program
The full-time program typically meets Monday-Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended days on Tuesdays and Thursdays to accommodate firearms training.
Part-time program
The part-time program typically meets Monday-Thursday, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., and every other Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Instructors
Police Academy instructors are certified through the Missouri Department of Public Safety's Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) program as a generalist or specialist. They are both active and retired peace officers from agencies throughout the Kansas City metro area.
Selected instructors are thoroughly vetted and are of the highest experience level. All chosen instructors are considered experts in their given fields of instruction.
Careers
Average growth for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Visit Occupational Information Network (O*NET) to view salary information, employment outlook and personal characteristics needed for this career.
Transfer made simple
Whatever your transfer destination, we'll work to make sure your credits transfer easily. That's why we're experts at it. We've worked out specific transfer agreements with many four-year colleges and universities.
Check with your transfer school and your Student Success Advisor for the most accurate and timely transfer information.
This program meets the educational requirements for state licensure or certification for Missouri only.