Appointments and Promotions, Jobs, Training and Facilities

Academy graduates 230 new officers

New academy officers celebrate their graduation.
New correctional officers celebrate their graduation March 10.

After 13 weeks of training, 230 cadets from class 2-23A of the Basic Correctional Officer Academy (BCOA) graduated as officers.

Marking the occasion, family and friends attended graduation ceremonies at the Richard A. McGee Training Center on March 10. California State Prison-Sacramento Warden Jeff Lynch delivered the keynote address and welcomed 230 new correctional officers into the CDCR family.

Peace Officer Selection and Employee Development (POSED) with the Office of Peace Officer Selection (OPOS) invites all CDCR staff to be recruiters by sharing the benefits and opportunities available in a career as a Correctional Officer.

OPOS is expediting hiring for applicants willing to take positions at High Desert State Prison, Pelican Bay, San Quentin and CSP-Sacramento.

Interested applicants can apply online at JoinCDCR.com.

To learn more about the correctional officer selection process, watch this video. 

CDCR is hosting multiple JumpStart Hiring events for Correctional Officer applicants to streamline the selection process. The JumpStart event allows applicants to take the written exam, Live Scan, and start the background process all in one day. Some Jumpstart applicants have completed the selection process in as little as four months. 

A list of upcoming JumpStart events is available at the website under Recruitment Events.

More events will be added each month throughout the state.

Academy Quick Facts

  • The Basic Correctional Officer Academy (BCOA)f, located in Galt, is 13 weeks long.
  • To attend the academy, candidates must complete the selection process and accept an institution assignment.
  • After accepting an assignment, you will receive an email with the information needed before the start of the academy. You must submit the required peace officer selection forms and handouts as specified in the e-mail/letter. Institution assignments are based on department needs. Applicants willing to take positions at High Desert State Prison, Pelican Bay, San Quentin and CSP-Sacramento will receive priority in the selection process.
  • Cadets who live more than 30 miles from the academy (one-way) have the option of living on-site at no cost or off-site at their own expense. Cadets may leave the grounds from the end of the scheduled duty day on Friday until the start of the scheduled duty hours on Monday. All attending cadets will be provided meals during the academy.
  • Each cadet will need $1,300 to $1,500 to buy required uniforms, equipment/accessories, athletic gear, and school supplies. Once you graduate and report to your institution, you will be eligible to receive an annual uniform allowance of up to $1,000.

Photos by Sgt. H. Berberena
Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center


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