The Oakland Police Department’s Basic Academy is a paid 24-week course certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The course is delivered in an intensive format (40+ hours of instruction per week) at the Police Administration Building and other venues throughout the city of Oakland. Police Officer Trainees receive instruction on a variety of topics including Criminal Law, Firearms, Arrest and Control Techniques, Community Relations, Vehicle Operations, Traffic Enforcement and First Aid. The course is both physically and mentally demanding. Police Officer Trainees must complete a mandatory physical training program and successfully pass all POST mandated written, practical, and scenario (role-playing) exams administered throughout the Academy.

Our Basic Academy is a highly structured paramilitary environment. Trainees are required to abide by the Code of Conduct on their first day of the Academy. Adherence to this Code of Conduct is mandatory and will lay the groundwork for a career in Law Enforcement.

Academy Expectation

Scheduling
On the first day of the Academy, trainees will be provided the Curriculum Outline. The Academy schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM with some required late evening and weekend courses. There will be days during the Academy that exceed an eight hour work day. Your best approach to the Academy schedule is to remain flexible as Academy hours and days of instruction are subject to change. Make every attempt to attend to personal needs that may interfere with the schedule prior to the start of the Academy.

Monetary Investment
Physical training begins the first day of the Academy. You should have the items listed below prior to the start of the Academy:

Upon the start of the Academy, you will be required to purchase several items within a very short period of time. The cost of these items will be in excess of $1,000. You will receive a Uniform Allowance paycheck from the Department, but you may be required to purchase some of these items prior to receipt of this check. These items, which should not be purchased until the Academy starts, may include the following:

Dress and Grooming
All students are expected to meet the OPD’s General Order C-1 regarding grooming and dress code. The Oakland Police Department General Order C-1 describes, in part, what constitutes acceptable grooming and dress standards. The attached photos depict examples of proper dress and grooming standards.

Academic
Most of the practical exams and academic tests given during the Academy are POST mandated exams and must be passed in order to complete the Academy. Any trainee who fails a POST mandated exam will be given additional training in that area and a make-up exam will be administered. If the make-up exam is failed, the trainee will be removed from the Academy. Additionally, there will be several quizzes given throughout the course. The results of these quizzes, as well as all POST mandated exams, will determine a trainee’s final Academy Class standing upon graduation. The class standing will affect departmental seniority and assignment.

Physical Training
The Academy has time dedicated to physical conditioning and at times will be strenuous. This training begins the first week of the Academy. POST mandates that every trainee completes a minimum number of physical training sessions and pass a battery of physical abilities tests. Failure to complete this minimum number of sessions will result in a trainee’s removal from the Academy. Being physically fit prior to the start of the Academy will make this portion of the Academy less stressful. Additionally, it will reduce the likelihood of injuries which may occur as a result of strenuous exercise.

Below are suggested minimum standards a trainee should meet upon entering the Academy in order to perform at an acceptable level in the area of physical fitness: