The Madison County Regional Police Academy is offered through SUNY Morrisville, with the assistance of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and the New York State University Police.
New York State residents who are interested in entering the law enforcement field as police officers are trained by certified police instructors in a learning environment that meets the rigid standards of the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Although the program does not guarantee admission into a police department, every standard required in a full-time basic police academy applies, including physical fitness, attendance and academics.
Phase I Training
In order for a cadet to receive a Phase I certificate of completion, classroom and physical standards must be met before the end of training.
Cadets must meet the minimum passing scores for all exams (generally 75%, though some may require a passing score of 100%) and meet the minimum proficiency standards in all applicable areas (defensive tactics, etc.).
Cadets are required to meet the 50th percentile Cooper standards. It is strongly recommended that each cadet be as close as possible to these standards before enrolling in the program.
Students enrolled in the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training program may choose to participate in the College Credit Option. The College Credit Option allows students who satisfactorily complete the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training program to earn 24 undergraduate college credits and a Certificate in Criminal Justice Police in addition to the Phase I certificate. Enrollment must be completed with the academy application.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates receive a transcript and a certificate indicating completion of Phase I of Pre-Employment Police Basic Training.
Entrance Requirements
Civilians or sworn police officers may attend Phase I training. Cadets must meet the following requirements:
- Be citizens or lawfully residing residents of the United States of America.
- Not have been convicted of a felony.
- Possess either a high school diploma or high school equivalency (HSE) diploma.
There are no minimum or maximum age requirements for cadets. However, it should be noted that pursuant to §58 of the Civil Service Law, a candidate seeking permanent appointment to a police officer title must be 20 years of age as of the date of appointment, and not more than 35 years of age as of the date when the applicant takes the written examination. Time spent on military duty or on terminal leave, not exceeding a total of six years, shall be subtracted from the age of any applicant who has passed his or her 35th birthday.
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Phase II Training
After completing Phase I, program graduates have two years to secure employment in a police department and complete the Phase Il portion of the training before being awarded a full Basic School Certificate from the DCJS.
Phase II is held at SUNY Morrisville in the Summer, with the majority of the instruction administered in eight-hour blocks. Instruction is held on the SUNY Morrisville campus and at various off-site training locations. Course instructors are all DCJS certified and are either current or former law enforcement officers from the New York State Police, State University Police, Madison County Sheriff's Office and various other agencies.
During the Phase Il training, police officers must be presented with the three remaining units of the Basic Course for Police Officers, including but not limited to:
- Counter-Terrorism for Recruit Police Officers
- Firearms Training
- Supervised Field Training Review and Orientation
In addition, each police officer must be presented Impact Device Training and Testing for at least eight hours.
Steps for Admission
SUNY Morrisville will accept up to 25 cadets into the 2026-2027 Pre-Employment Police Basic Training program. Applications will be accepted through August 21, 2026. Below are the steps for admission:
- Print the application packet or call University Police to have it mailed to you. The first page is a checklist of all items required.
- Submit all items listed on the checklist by mail. The address is listed on the application.
- Final acceptance of each cadet is dependent upon an interview with the Director of the Police Academy. Once your full application has been received, SUNY Morrisville will contact you to set up an appointment for an interview.
- If approved by the Director, acceptance is finalized upon receipt of a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit.
Applicants must submit the following document(s) by mail prior to admission:
Official transcripts must be received in a sealed, signed envelope by the issuing school or college. They must be received unopened and intact. Official transcripts may be mailed with your application or sent directly from the school or college to the SUNY Morrisville Office of the Registrar.
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Additional Information
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Tuition, Fees and Enrollment Information
Program Fee
The Program Fee of $375 includes a safety vest, uniform cap, physical training t-shirt, 1 short sleeve, and use of all training equipment. Items that students will need to provide for themselves include, but are not limited to, approved uniform BDU pants and shirts, belt, combat boots, physical training attire and sneakers, classroom supplies, textbooks, and tie.
The $375 Program Fee is due on August 21, 2026. No refund will be given after this date.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy
Please be aware of our withdrawal and refund policy as part of your application process. If you decide to withdraw from this program, you must meet with the Police Academy Director to complete an exit interview and required withdrawal paperwork.
A pro-rated refund of tuition will be allowed through September 18, 2026. The tuition penalties for withdrawal are listed below:
- Penalty for withdrawal before August 28, 2026, 4:30pm is $500.
- Penalty for withdrawal before September 4, 2026, 4:30pm is 30% of tuition and fees.
- Penalty for withdrawal before September 11, 2026, 4:30pm is 50% of tuition and fees.
- Penalty for withdrawal before September 18, 2026, 4:30pm is 70% of tuition and fees.
No refund of tuition or fees will be granted after September 18, 2026, 4:30pm.
Enrollment Options
SUNY Morrisville offers two enrollment options: College Credit Option and Non-Credit Option. Enrollment in either option must be completed with the academy application.
Option #1: College Credit Option
Students enrolled in the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training program may choose to participate in the College Credit Option. The College Credit Option allows students who satisfactorily complete the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training program to earn 24 undergraduate college credits and a Certificate in Criminal Justice Police in addition to the Phase I certificate.
Financial Aid is available for the credit option. Students interested in Financial Aid will need to complete the FAFSA Application and the NYS TAP Application. Students who successfully complete the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training program and enroll in the College Credit Option will earn credit for the following courses:
- CJUS 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems (3 credits)
- CJUS 202 Policing (3 credits)
- CJUS 220 Criminal Investigation I (3 credits)
- CJUS 221 Criminal Investigation II (3 credits)
- CJUS 230 Penal Law (3 credits)
- CJUS 231 Criminal Procedure Law (3 credits)
- CJUS 404 Use of Force Continuums (1 credit)
- CJUS 498 Special Topics: Fundamental Crisis Intervention Skills for Law Enforcement (1 credit)
- PHED 141 Fitness I (1 credit)
- PHED 142 Fitness II (1 credit)
- PHED 143 Fitness III (1 credit)
- PHED 150 Self Defense (1 credit)
The 24 credits can also be applied towards an Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice or Bachelor of Technology in Criminal Justice at SUNY Morrisville.
Students will be responsible for two full-time semesters of tuition plus fees. Below are the current 2025-26 tuition and fees for two full-time semesters for a NYS Resident Commuting Student (please note that the tuition and fee values listed below are subject to change as the tuition and fees for 2026-27 will not be finalized until July 2026).
College Credit Option Tuition and Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,070 (includes $500 non-refundable deposit) |
| Program Fee | $375 (due by August 21, 2026) |
| Mandatory fees | $1867 |
| Total Mandatory Tuition and Fees | $9,312 |
| Parking Fee | $81 (mandatory if parking on-campus) |
Option #2: Non-Credit Option
Students enrolled in the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training program may choose to participate in the Non-Credit Option. The Non-Credit Option is an alternative option for the students who just want to earn the Phase I DCJS certificate, do not need college credits, and are not interested in pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree (please note that the tuition and fee values listed below are subject to change as the tuition and fees for 2026-27 will not be finalized until July 2026).
Non-Credit Option Tuition and Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,070 (includes $500 non-refundable deposit) |
| Program Fee | $375 (due by August 21, 2026) |
| Fitness Fee | $150 |
| Total Mandatory Tuition and Fees | $7,595 |
| Parking Fee | $81 (mandatory if parking on-campus) |
Financial Aid is not available for the non-credit option. Workforce Development provides an eight-month interest-free payment plan for the remaining tuition and fitness fee of $6,720.
The due dates for the payment plan are listed below:
- $840 is due by 5 p.m. on September 18, 2026
- $840 is due by 5 p.m. on October 16, 2026
- $840 is due by 5 p.m. on November 13, 2026
- $840 is due by 5 p.m. on December 11, 2026
- $840 is due by 5 p.m. on January 8, 2027
- $840 is due by 5 p.m. on February 5, 2027
- $840 is due by 5 p.m. on March 5, 2027
- $840 is due by 5 p.m. on April 2, 2027
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Physical Standards for Cadets
| Sex | Age | Sit-Ups (1 Minute) | PushUps | 1.5 Mile Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 20-29 | 40 | 33 | 11:58 |
| Male | 30-39 | 36 | 27 | 12:24 |
| Male | 40-49 | 31 | 21 | 13:12 |
| Male | 50-59 | 26 | 15 | 14:23 |
| Male | 60+ | 20 | 15 | 15:56 |
| Female | 20-29 | 35 | 18 | 14:04 |
| Female | 30-39 | 27 | 14 | 14:34 |
| Female | 40-49 | 22 | 11 | 15:34 |
| Female | 50-59 | 17 | 9 | 17:19 |
| Female | 60+ | 8 | 9 | 19:04 |
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Conditions of this Training Program
Students in the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Course must be advised of several conditions of this training program that will affect them during and after attending the program. Through this notice, the school is advising the student of these conditions as required by the policy established for this program by Division of Criminal Justice Services.
- Completion of this program is not a guarantee of employment as a police officer.
- To complete this pre-employment training program, a student must participate in physical fitness training and successfully complete a physical fitness examination.
- To complete this pre-employment training program, a student must comply with mandated New York State regulations that include: strict attendance requirements; maintaining a notebook; and passing written examination/s.
- This is a two-phase program. The first phase is conducted pre-employment and the second phase is conducted after appointment as a police officer. Each individual phase of this training program must be completed as a single and cohesive unit. This means that students must complete the phase of the program at one institution. The following phase may be conducted at a separate institution.
- Before being appointed as a police officer, a person must complete New York State Civil Service requirements and appointing agency hiring standards (including minimum and maximum age and residency requirements) by taking a written examination and scoring high enough on the eligibility list to be considered for appointment.
- Before being appointed as a police officer, a person must take and successfully complete a physical fitness examination.
- Before being appointed as a police officer, a person must submit to a medical examination, which may include drug screening.
- Before being appointed as a police officer, a person may be required to submit to a psychological examination.
- Before being appointed as a police officer, a person with criminal conviction or with a felony conviction may be disqualified from employment.
- Before being appointed as a police officer, a person may be required to submit to a background investigation.
- Upon appointment as a police officer, a person will be required to satisfactorily complete additional training. Failure to complete this training will result in denial of certification by the New York State Municipal Police Training Council. The certification is required by § 209-q of the General Municipal Law for police officers to remain in their positions.
- Pre-employment training will be valid for two years after completion of this program. If a person is not appointed before two years has elapsed, they will be required to attend a Police Refresher Course. After 10 years from the date of completion records on the transcript, the training will no longer be valid (this is consistent with the provision of §209-q of the General Municipal Law pertaining to police officers).