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190 graduate Basic Correctional Officer Academy

Four female correctional officer cadets prepare to graduate the academy.
Female CDCR cadets from Echo Company wait for the graduation ceremony to start.

Hard work, dedication pays off for Class 3-23A

Completing 13 weeks of training, the Basic Correctional Officer Academy saw 190 cadets graduate Friday, April 28.

Families and CDCR officials turned out for the graduation at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt.

Warden Tammy Campbell, of California State Prison-Corcoran, delivered the keynote address. Also attending were Field Training Sergeants from across the state to welcome the new officers into the CDCR family.

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

Interested Correctional Officer applicants can apply online at JoinCDCR.com.

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

Academy Quick Facts

  • The Basic Correctional Officer Academy (BCOA) is 13 weeks and located in Galt.
  • To attend the academy, you 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
  • 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 and Razia Moughuddin
Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center

Three siblings who are CDCR correctional officers hug the academy graduate.
A brother and sister celebrate younger sister’s graduation.
A family with three of them officers.
The Jones sisters graduated together and celebrated with their father.
Cadets wait to carry in flag-style banners representing their various companies at the correctional officer academy.
Guidon bearers of BCOA 3-23A.
Training sergeants at correctional officer academy.
Field Training Sergeants from across California gathered for the graduation of 190 cadets.
A correctional officer and his mother.
Correctional Officer Portillo’s mother pins his badge.
Graduation pamphlet being handed out at entrance to correctional officer academy.
Welcoming people to the BCOA Class 3-23A graduation.
Two sergeants with correctional officer cadets at the academy.
Field Training Sergeants Shimko and Brillo pose with cadets before the ceremony.

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