Correctional Officer Training

Correctional Officers (COs) must complete a sixteen-week, formal, comprehensive training program at the Basic Correctional Officer Academy (BCOA), located in Galt, a suburb south of Sacramento. Cadets will attend classes five days a week and must pass all tests in order to graduate from the BCOA. The curriculum consists of 640 hours of training and ranks among the top three correctional training academies in the country.

Using a combination of academic instruction, physical fitness training, use of force awareness, group interaction, and communication skills, the training program seeks to instill the skills and experience needed to function in a prison setting and to build esprit de corps among the cadets.  Correctional officer cadets begin each day with a nutritious breakfast, then attend various academic courses, or motor skills training to include:

• Peace Officer Standards and Training Courses (POST)
• Firearms training
• Chemical agents
• Impact weapons training
• Arrest and control techniques

Classroom instruction covers several other subjects related to the specific functions of a correctional peace officer such as:

• Laws of arrest
• Constitutional rights of law
• Rules and concepts of evidence
• Rights of the confined
• Effects/use of force
• Disciplinary process
• Restraint devices
• Cell and person searches
• Transportation
• Prison gangs
• Crime victims

Correctional officer cadets receive continuous reinforcement with emphasis being placed on integrity, maturity, conduct, written and verbal communication skills, interactions, professionalism, and competency-based evaluations to demonstrate proficiency.

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Housing

Cadets now have the choice to either live on or off site during the duration of the Academy. Specifics on cadet orientation can be found in the Cadet Handbook you will receive once you have accepted an assignment. Cadets report to his/her assigned institution the first Monday following graduation.

Institution

In addition to the BCOA, the Apprenticeship Program, and an Orientation Program for new employees, all COs receive monthly training on an on-going basis at his or her institution.

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Academy Dates

See a list of Academy dates for CO, YCO and transition academies:

• Academy Dates