CWI Launches New Law Enforcement Program

Published: March 6, 2015

College of Western Idaho (CWI) has announced it is accepting applications for a new Law Enforcement program, which has been approved by the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council. The program, which is part of CWI’s Professional Technical Education division, will welcome its first class of students in the fall 2015 semester.

All classes will be taught by certified POST academy instructors at CWI’s Canyon County Center in Nampa. Retired Nampa Chief of Police, LeRoy Forsman, has been appointed Program Chair.

Through the program, students can choose to complete a two year Associate of Applied Science degree or an 11 month technical certificate. The program will offer two areas of concentration; patrol officer and jail. Because of the POST designation, graduates from CWI’s Law Enforcement program will not be required to complete basic police academy training prior to challenging the POST certification exam.

“CWI will provide students with a top quality education while preparing them to enter the law enforcement field with a strong skillset,” says Forsman. “Law enforcement agencies throughout the region have a need to fill open positions. Our goal at CWI is to provide these agencies with educated, well trained people who will be the next generation of peace officers.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of patrol officer jobs is projected to grow six percent from 2012 to 2022, both in Idaho and nationally. Similarly, correctional officer and jailer jobs are expected to see a five percent increase during the same period.

CWI plans to accept 25 students into the program each fall semester. May 1 is the application deadline for the fall 2015 class. All Law Enforcement program applicants are required to complete an extensive back ground check and a competitive entry application, in addition to applying to CWI for general admission. Students may start the program prior to 21 years of age, but must be 21 to test for fitness, firearms, and the POST exam.

CWI will host information sessions on March 18 and 19 for anyone interested in learning more about the program. Visit cwi.edu/program/law-enforcement for more details on the information sessions and the program. 

Contact:
Jennifer Couch
(208) 562-3508
jennifercouch@cwi.edu

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About the College of Western Idaho
The College of Western Idaho is a public, open-access, and comprehensive community college committed to providing affordable access to quality teaching and learning opportunities to the residents of its service area in western Idaho. CWI has seven campus locations throughout Southwest Idaho providing higher education and 21st Century technical skills acquisition. The college is dedicated to improving the community’s economic well-being by responding with highly-educated and productive graduates. The foundation for the area’s only community college was created by a supermajority of voters in Ada and Canyon counties on May 22, 2007. For more information about the college, visit cwi.edu or call (208) 562-3000. 

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