Police Pre-Academy Training

The Police Pre-Academy Training (PPAT) certification is for individuals who seek to become employed as a law enforcement officer in South Carolina and become Class-1 Certified Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) and the Law Enforcement Training Council (LETC) pursuant to South Carolina Code of Laws Chapter 23.

Major Requirements

CRJ 281	Police Science I	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes but is not limited to the following topics: introduction to criminal law, courts, crimes and procedures, first amendment, basic patrol operations, and traffic law. After successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to complete the SCCJA certification exam for these instructional blocksLearn More

CRJ 282	Police Science II	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes but is not limited to the following topics: domestic violence, juvenile procedures, and victimology. After successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to complete the SCCJA certification exam for these instructional blocks.Learn More

CRJ 283	Police Science III	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes but is not limited to the following topics: report writing, interviewing, officer survival, drug enforcement, and crime scene and physical evidence. After successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to complete the SCCJA certification exam for these instructional blocks.Learn More

CRJ 284	Police Science IV	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes but is not limited to the following topics: basic collision investigation, uniform traffic ticket, vehicle tactics, and mind armor. After successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to complete the SCCJA certification exam for these instructional blocks.Learn More

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Admission Requirements*

Entry into the program requires the following:

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must be a high school graduate or have an equivalency.
Must successfully pass a criminal background check. Background checks MUST be completed at least two weeks prior to the start of the term.
Must be at least 20 years of age to enter program.

*Individual does not have to be currently employed with a law enforcement agency to enter the PPAT program but will have to become employed with a SC Law Enforcement Agency prior to attending the 8-week academy program in Columbia. The individual does not have to be 21 years old to enter the program but should not be more than a year away from turning 21 when entering the program. Agencies will still have the option to hire someone and put them through their own pre-academy certification process incurring their own time and costs, if they choose.