CWI Law Enforcement Program
CWI Partners with Boise Police Department
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has partnered with the Boise Police Department (BPD) to allow officers to gain college credit for their academy training at BPD. Contact the CWI Law Enforcement program or BPD for more details.
Overview
Prepare for a career in law enforcement in College of Western Idaho's Law Enforcement program. This program has been approved by the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council, eliminating the graduate's need to attend the basic police academy before taking the certification exam. Accepted applicants must turn 18 on or before the first day of class.
Areas of study students will focus on in the Law Enforcement program include:
Patrol Officer: Maintains order and protects life and property by enforcing local, tribal, State, or Federal laws and ordinances. Performs a combination of the following duties: patrols a specific area, directs traffic, issues traffic summonses, investigates accidents, apprehends and arrests suspects, or serves legal processes of courts.
Detention Officer: Provides security for inmates in detention/jail institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May supervise inmates in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other points. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time supervising inmates and providing security in detention facilities
Application Process and Requirements
Application for the Fall 2023 Law Enforcement program is now open through June 30, 2023.
Entry into this program is highly competitive, and a limited number of spots are available. The Pre-Application process is based on a case-by-case procedure. Program entry opportunities will be discussed with Law Enforcement program personnel. Accepted applicants must turn 18 on or before the first day of class.
The first step in the process for applying to the program is completing a Pre-Application which can be done by clicking the Apply Now button below.
Once the pre-application has been received, a law Enforcement program staff member will schedule an interview. Upon successful completion of an interview, staff will advise the student of the next step in the application process.
If you have any questions, please contact LeRoy Forsman at leroyforsman@cwi.edu.
Mission
The program is designed to prepare students for a career in law enforcement at many levels and will utilize highly experienced instructors throughout the process. Students will get a strong mix of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and practicum experience.
Why This Program
The Law Enforcement program includes numerous courses with emphasis in Criminal Justice topics, Law Enforcement topics, and several practicums. The full Spring semester will be an on-campus patrol academy format and will give the successful student the opportunity to challenge the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training test without attending another academy. All classes will be taught by certified academy instructors. High emphasis will be on proper use of firearms, emergency vehicle operation, defensive tactics/arrest techniques, and fitness.
What You Will Learn to Do
- Obtain the knowledge and technical skills for eligibility to become certified peace officers as set forth by the standards of the Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy for the State of Idaho
- Become knowledgeable of the proper use of firearms, emergency vehicle operation, defensive tactics/arrest techniques, and fitness
Additional Opportunities
Students will get a strong mix of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and practicum experience.
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Important Dates for Credit Programs
Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins1 | N/A | Apr 10 | Nov 13 (2023) | |
Open Registration Begins | Feb 27 | Apr 17 | Nov 20 (2023) | |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 13 | Jul 29 | Dec 16 (2023) | |
Admission Deadline2 | May 27 | Aug 12 | Jan 6 | |
Last Day to Register for Classes | Jun 2 | Aug 18 | Jan 12 | |
Tuition and Fees Due | Jun 2 | Aug 18 | Jan 12 | |
Classes Begin3 | Jun 5 | Aug 21 | Jan 16 | |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based on their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time. | ||||
2 The admission deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines for the fall and spring semesters. | ||||
3 Classes in shorter sessions (including 4-, 5-, and 8-week sessions) may begin before or after this date. Please refer to the Registration and Refund Deadlines by Class Section Dates (located beneath each semester) of the Academic Calendar for more information. |
Minimum Age Requirement
18Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
Professions
- Police Officer
- Dispatcher
- Law Enforcement
- Sheriff
- Detention Officer
- Guard
- Traffic Officer
- Motorcycle Police
- State Trooper
- Park Police
- Jail
Employment opportunities include full-time, part-time, and volunteer work with law enforcement agencies in a variety of settings including patrol, dispatch, detention, and corrections. Agencies may include those at the city, county, state, and federal levels.
Locations
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

College of Western Idaho’s Law Enforcement program helped clean and rake up some homes in the Treasure Valley as part of this year’s Rake Up Caldwell.

College of Western Idaho’s Law Enforcement program looks to train and produce first responders of tomorrow which will also fill gaps in law enforcement officer shortages around the state.

Congratulations to Class 11 of College of Western Idaho’s Law Enforcement program who were honored during a ceremony, May 11.

Law Enforcement students from College of Western Idaho could be spotted along Interstate 84 picking up trash in early April as part of Idaho’s Adopt-a-Highway program.

Students from College of Western Idaho’s Law Enforcement give back by serving the community during Rake Up Nampa.

Classes 9 and 10 of College of Western Idaho’s Law Enforcement program were recognized during a ceremony May 6.
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