Gulf Coast State College | Crossover Correctional Officer to Law Enforcement Officer, V.C. Program

are you a Florida corrections officer that would like to be dual certified?

If you are a correctional officer that would like to become dual certified as a law enforcement officer, Gulf Coast State College offers the Crossover Correctional Officer to Law Enforcement Officer program. The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (F.D.L.E.) has established the basic recruit cross-over training programs to provide lateral movement of officers between criminal justice disciplines. Within this cross-over program, selected sections of the Florida Law Enforcement Academy have been modified to fit the needs of Correctional Officers desiring certification as Florida Law Enforcement Officers.

WHat careers are possible with a Law enforcement officer certification?

Law Enforcement Officer jobs are available at the state and county levels.

The State of Florida has several State Law Enforcement Agencies, such as the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, and many more.
There are 67 counties in Florida, and all employ Deputy Sheriff Officers.
There are several municipalities in Florida that employ police officers. Municipalities in Bay County that employ police officers are Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach, Panama City, Panama City Beach, and the City of Parker.

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Who is eligible for the Cross-over Correctional to Law Enforcement Certificate program?

To be eligible to apply to the program, you must:

You must be currently certified as an F.D.L.E corrections officer.
Be a U.S. citizen
Have a high school diploma or GED
Be at least 19 years of age
Not discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions
Be of good moral character and NOT have been convicted of a felony, or any misdemeanor involving lying or perjury
Pass a physical examination by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant attesting capability of performing essential functions of the officer position
Submit to and pass background investigation that includes a fingerprint check
Passing score on the Florida Basic Abilities Test.

WHY CHOOSE GULF COAST STATE COLLEGE TO EARN YOUR cross-over certificate?

If you haven’t already been to Gulf Coast’s North Bay campus, you should know that we’re located just north of Southport.
We have state of the art classrooms with the latest in electronic technology. Gulf Coast State College’s law enforcement academy also has five firing ranges, a driving range, and a multipurpose room for defensive tactics.
Our instructors are among the best in the field. We use active, former and retired law enforcement officers. You will benefit from their years of experience.

how do I apply to the cross-Over corrections to law enforcement certificate program?

If you wish to attend the cross-over academy at Gulf Coast State College:

You must apply for admission to Gulf Coast State College and enroll in the law enforcement certificate program. You must satisfy all admission requirements
You must download complete the law enforcement officer certificate program application packet in its entirety, inclusive of completing all pages of the application, having the pages of the application that require notarization so notarized, providing all required documentation copies; and, providing a color, passport size (2 x 2 inch), current photo. Incomplete applications will not be accepted; and, will delay your entry into the law enforcement academy.
You must successfully complete the CJBAT (Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test) for law enforcement (cost -$50); and, attain a passing score of 70 or above, under Florida law, on the CJBAT in order to enter the academy. The CJBAT is by appointment only, and is scheduled by Rebecca Acton (850-747-3242). Ms. Acton is located in room 118, of the Abbott Building, at 637 County Road 2300, Southport, Florida.
You must submit to being fingerprinted, and successfully complete, the associated background investigation (cost - $85). If you have ever been convicted of any felony; or, any misdemeanor involving perjury, false statement, or any charge relating to domestic violence, you are ineligible to attend any law enforcement academy in the State of Florida. Also, if you were convicted of a felony as a juvenile; you cannot be in the constructive possession of a firearm until you are twenty-four years of age and will therefore not be able to attend the law enforcement academy until said age is attained.
You must submit to, and successfully pass, a physical examination (your cost) performed by a Florida licensed Physician (MD), Nurse Practitioner (ARNP); or, Physician’s Assistant (PA). The academy physical MUST be completed on CJSTC Form 75-B, that is contained within the attached law enforcement academy application. NOTE: If for any reason, medical or otherwise, you are incapable of being exposed to Oleo-Resin Capsicum (commonly known as pepper spray) you will not be able to attend the academy. Additionally, within the first two weeks of the academy you must undertake a physical fitness test comprised of a maximum effort vertical jump, maximum effort push-ups for one minute, maximum effort sit-ups for one minute, a 300 meter run; and, a 1.5 mile walk/run. The exact same test will be administered during the last two weeks of the academy in order to determine if satisfactory physical fitness progress over the course of the academy was achieved.
Complete an pre-entrance interview with Douglas Boortz, scheduled by appointment only, when you have fully completed all of the law enforcement academy application materials. This means that you have completely filled out all of the law enforcement academy application pages, have had the forms that require notarization so notarized, have all of the required documentation copies, have your color passport size photo, have successfully passed the CJBAT exam, have had your fingerprints rolled for the background investigation; and, have had your physical exam. Incomplete applications will not be accepted; and, will delay your entry into the law enforcement academy.

Consult the Gulf Coast State College Catalog for specific program and course information.

How do I register for my classes?

Check out the class registration dates and plan your schedule today.

How do I apply for financial aid and scholarships?

There are many options available to help you pay for college. Find out more about scholarships and financial aid at Gulf Coast State College.

Program Requirements

Courses		CH
+=CJK0293, Overview of Law Enforcement		2.1v
+=CJK0297, Interactions in Crisis Situations		0.3v
+=CJK0296, Reporting Procedures		1.1v
+=CJK0064, Fundamentals of Patrol		1.1v
+=CJK0065, Calls for Service		1.2v
+=CJK0077, Criminal Investigations		1.7v
+=CJK0078, Crime Scene to Courtroom		1.1v
+=CJK0092, Critical Incidents		1.5v
+=CJK0087, Traffic Stops		1.0v
+=CJK0084, DUI Traffic Stops		0.8v
+=CJK0088, Traffic Crash Investigations		1.1v
+=CJK0393, Cross-Over Program Updates		0.3v
=CJK0020C, CMS L.E. Vehicle Operations		1.6v
+=CJK0422, Dart-Firing Stun Gun		0.3v
+=CJK0392C, Cross-Over Handgun Transition Course		0.8v
+=CJK0295C, Correctional Cross-Over to Law Enforcement Officer Wellness		1.1v
TOTAL DEGREE HOURS		17.1v

• General Education Core.

+ Prerequisites and/or corequisites required. See course descriptions.

# Applies only to A.S. degree and certificate programs.

= PSAV course.

* Minimum grade of "C" required.

Crossover Correctional Officer to Law Enforcement Officer Vocational Certificate