About the Program
The Law Enforcement Academy program (State Parks emphasis) is designed to prepare students to meet entry-level requirements for jobs in the law enforcement profession generally, and with the California Department of Parks and Recreation specifically. The curriculum has sufficient breadth to allow students to pursue a career in a variety of law enforcement agencies in peace officer positions. This academy also emphasizes laws and regulations regularly enforced by the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Careers in law enforcement as peace officers are constantly open statewide. There are currently thousands of peace officer job openings in the State of California, with at least 2770 additional openings expected each year for the next several years. Additionally, the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation has over 125 current vacancies and is experiencing approximately 55-60 peace officer vacancies each year. Satisfactory completion of the Butte College Basic Law Enforcement Academy with a State Parks emphasis meets the 42 Learning Domain requirements for the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training and qualifies graduates to apply for these entry-level peace officer positions.
Admission to the Program
Students are admitted to this program by special application only. Students must either be approved, accepted and employed as State Park Peace Officer Cadet Rangers or Lifeguards for the California Department of Parks and Recreation or as peace officer trainees by a California law enforcement agency, or they must meet the following requirements:
- Must have a high school diploma from an accredited high school, or a GED Certificate;
- Must pass Peace Officer Standards and Training Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET-B) exam with a score of 42 or higher;
- Must pass Law Enforcement Academy Physical Training Test, a 1.5 mile run which must be completed in 15minutes of less, and no more than 3 months prior to the first day of the academy;
- Must complete Butte College Law Enforcement Academy Orientation;
- Must possess a valid, unrestricted driver’s license with no current or recent suspensions;
- Must provide California Department of Justice clearance within 90 days of the start of the academy which confirms that the applicant has no felony or misdemeanor convictions or circumstances which would prohibit possession of a firearm; and
- Must provide proof of completion of a medical suitability examination
Additional information about the Butte College Law Enforcement Academy-Basic/State Parks Emphasis, and application for admission to the program, is available at: www.butte.edu/departments/careertech/publicsafety/state-park-ranger.html
Program Requirements
For current program requirements -> 2024-2025
Program Goal: Career
GE Pattern(s): Butte Local
Program Code: 35937.00AS
Program Learning Outcome(s):
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Meet or exceed the requirements as set forth by Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) for California Peace Officer training.
Demonstrate, through written exams, crime scene scenario testing, and manipulative skills, core competencies as mandated by P.O.S.T.
Demonstrate, through written exams, DPR scenario testing, and manipulative skills, core competencies as mandated by DPR.
Evaluate and manage their physical fitness and maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to safely and effectively perform peace officer duties.
Describe the connection between proper nutrition and maintaining body composition, physical conditioning, and reducing the risk of illness or injury.
Identify and describe common health problems and utilize appropriate risk management techniques to ensure health and physical fitness.
Demonstrate competency through written examinations and a themed interpretive presentation in Basic Interpretive Learning Systems (BILS).
Describe and interpret state and federal laws, rules, regulations decisions, court cases and guidelines which relate to accessibility to public parks and interpretive programs.
Describe the public safety officer’s role in the EMS system.
Demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role of an Emergency Medical Responder.
Demonstrate competence and understanding of the "Four Basic Safety Rules" for handling firearms.
Demonstrate the ability to field strip a rifle and to properly clean and maintain it.
Explain policy regarding the use of firearms.
Demonstrate the ability to properly load, unload, clear malfunctions and fire a rifle.
Demonstrate the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship to fire accurately from the prone, kneeling, sitting and standing positions.
Demonstrate proficiency and obtain qualification as being certified as competent in the use of a rifle.
Corequisite(s): AJLE 130, AJLE 140 or AJLE 141
Unit(s): 2.00
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
11.00 hours Lecture
/ 73.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 84.00
This course conforms to the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic Law Enforcement Academy requirements for Learning Domain #32, Lifetime Fitness. The course provides an overview of physical fitness for a healthy lifestyle for peace officers. Topics include proper nutrition, common health problems, causes of stress, stress management and physical conditioning.
Prerequisite(s): Must be approved, accepted and employed as a State Park Peace Officer Cadet (Ranger or Lifeguard) for the California Department of Parks and Recreation or as a peace officer trainee by a California law enforcement agency; OR must have a high school diploma from an accredited high school, or a GED certificate; AND must pass Peace Officer Standards and Training Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET-B) exam with a score of 42 or higher; AND must pass Law Enforcement Academy Physical Training Test, a 1.5 mile run which must be completed in 15 minutes or less, and no more than 3 months prior to the first day of the academy; AND Must complete Butte College Law Enforcement Academy orientation; AND must possess a valid unrestricted driver's license with no current or recent suspensions; AND must provide a Department of Justice clearance within 90 days prior to the start of the academy which confirms the applicant has no felony or misdemeanor convictions which would prohibit possession of a firearm; AND must provide proof of completion of a medical suitability examination.
Corequisite(s): AJLE 100
Unit(s): 46.00
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
607.00 hours Lecture
/ 538.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 1145.00
This course prepares the student for a career as a peace officer with an emphasis on the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), under the authority of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.). The curriculum covers learning domains (LDs) ranging from academic subjects in criminal law, investigation and patrol procedures to psychomotor skills in defensive tactics, firearms training, driving skills and officer-violator contacts. The successful completion of this course will allow the student to meet a prerequisite for employment as a peace officer in California (valid for three years after graduation) and lead to the issuance of a Basic Law Enforcement Certificate from P.O.S.T. after field training and one year of approved field service at a law enforcement agency.
Unit(s): 4.50
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
64.00 hours Lecture
/ 56.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 120.00
This course is intended to prepare the student for employment in positions with an emphasis on interpretation in parks, but a primary emphasis as California State Parks Peace Officers. Modules addressed include communication, purpose and value, planning, programs, talks, walks, evaluations, professionalism and more. Students will learn presentation skills, leadership development and administrative processes related to advancement into State Parks Peace Officer positions.
Unit(s): 3.50
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
49.50 hours Lecture
/ 30.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 80.00
This course is designed to prepare public safety professionals, State Parks Peace Officers in particular, to serve in roles which include collateral responsibility as Emergency Medical Responders. The course meets the requirements for learning needs, learning objectives and hourly requirements of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) for Learning Domain 34, First Aid and CPR (Title 11, Division 2. Section 1005 of the California Code of Regulations); and the requirements of Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 1.5 of the California Code of Regulations regarding First Aid and CPR Standards and Training for Public Safety Personnel.
Prerequisite(s): Must be able to provide proof of eligibility to legally possess long and short barreled rifles and shotguns as described in California Penal Code 17090, 17170, 17180 and 17190
Unit(s): 0.50
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
9.00 hours Lecture
/ 15.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 24.00
Successful completion of this course will allow students to possess and use long or short barreled rifles or shotguns when acting pursuant to California Penal Code 33220(b). This course meets the requirements of POST training regulation 1005(i), and covers the current state of the law, use of force, safety issues, nomenclature, specifications, capabilities, firearm care, breakdown and cleaning, tactical considerations, skill development and qualification.
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Contacts
Don Beasley, Director
(530) 895-2405
Department Office: AHPS 144
(530) 895-2401
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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