720 Hour Law Enforcement Academy: JANUARY 12 - MAY 15, 2026

This (720) hour Law Enforcement Academy is designed for those seeking a law enforcement career in the State of Wisconsin. Southwest Tech’s premier Academy delivers the criteria established by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Training and Standards Bureau. The training instructors are a combination of educators and active or retired law enforcement officers. The training is delivered via lecture, group discussion, hands-on exercises, and scenario participation.

Completion of the Law Enforcement Academy makes you eligible for Law Enforcement certification in the State of Wisconsin.

Minimum Qualifications

Please verify that you have met the following minimum qualifications as set forth in Wisconsin State Statute and Chapter LES 2, of Wisconsin Administrative Code:

• I am a citizen of The United States of America.
• I am or will be at least 18 years of age by the completion of training.
• I possess a valid Wisconsin driver's license or such other valid operator's permit recognized by the Wisconsin DOT as authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in Wisconsin.
• I possess a general educational development diploma or am a high school graduate who has completed a secondary education program through a public school, private school, an equivalency diploma program, or home education program within the United States or its territories.
• I have earned at least 40 associate degree level college credits or higher, or an associate degree or higher from a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education. Completing Southwest Tech's Criminal Justice Studies associate degree fulfills this requirement. (Law enforcement and tribal law enforcement officers who do not meet this requirement at the time of employment, have 5 years from their date of employment to meet this requirement.)
• I have not been convicted of a federal felony, or of any offense which if committed in Wisconsin could be punished as a felony, and has not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (18 U.S.C. §922(g)(9)), or I have been granted an absolute and unconditional pardon.

Costs

The cost of the Law Enforcement Academy is approximately $6050 + First Responder and CPR books + uniforms + ChargerTech360 Fee, $300.

2025 Academy Timeline

• Applications Open: June 23, 2025
• Application Closes for
  • Certification Track: September 5, 2025
  • Pre-Service & Hired: September 27, 2025
• Fitness Test: October, 2025
• Oral Interviews: October, 2025
• Mandatory Academy Orientation: December, 2025
• Anticipated Academy Start Date: January 12, 2026
• Anticipated Academy End Date: May 15, 2026

Steps for Entering The Law Enforcement Academy

1. Gather, Download, and Complete Information

   Before Applying, download and complete the following documents. You will be asked to supply these completed documents within the application.

   Application Documents

   Your current status determines what documentation you need to supply in the online application. Selecting your status will display the documents you need to download and complete.

   Current Status: I am currently Choose one Hired - Hired by an Agency who is sending me Pre-Service - not employed at a law enforcement agency Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement 2 Program (Certification Track) .

   • Application for Enrollment (DJ-LE-327)
   • Application Enrollment Questionnaire
   • Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
   • Firearms Release of Information
   • Medical Assessment (DJ-LE-332)
   • Online Driver Record Request
   • Physical Readiness Assessment
   • Student Authorization for Release of Information (DJ-LE-310)
   • Transcript Requirements (High School)
   • Transcript Requirements (College)
   • Verification of Age and Citizenship Form (DJ-LE-322)
   • WI Criminal History Record Request (DJ-LE-250)
   • Professional History Report
   • Certification Track Student Declaration (DJ-LE-329)

   Students registered for Law Enforcement Academy Preparatory Course 10-504-135 will complete Medical Assessment (DJ-LE-332), Certification Track Student Declaration (DJ-LE-329), and Firearms Release of Information during this course and those documents will be added to your file.

2. Submit Application and Documents

   Deadline to apply is September 27, 2025.

3. Take the Mandatory Fitness Test

   Mandatory Fitness test: October, 2025. Students must register and attend.

   Review the Physical Readiness Training Handbook and watch this video: https://vimeo.com/195826724.

4. Schedule Your Interview

   Interviews will take place in October 2025 at Southwest Tech's Public Safety Complex, Room 2007 in Fennimore.

5. Complete National FBI Background Check

   Students who have successfully passed the interview and physical fitness test will be sent written instructions on how to complete the national FBI background check.

A finalized academy schedule will be provided at orientation. Classes will run Monday through Friday with approximately 80% of the classes being held during the day and 20% in the evenings. Classes will be held at the Southwest Tech Public Safety Complex in Fennimore.

Outcomes

Licensure Information

The Law Enforcement 720 Academy is designed to lead to a license for Law Enforcement Officer in the state of Wisconsin. More licensure information can be found on the Program Accreditations and Licensure page.

Comments from Academy Graduates:

"I liked the small class sizes and the Instructors who have a passion for their jobs."

"The Academy Instructors are all very knowledgeable, it just made me want to spend as much time with them as possible and learn everything I could."

"I appreciated the competency of the Instructional Staff and their passion for the topics they taught. Plus the firsthand knowledge and experience of the subject matter, which makes learning it that much more enjoyable too."