Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Academy

• Admission is restricted to those who qualify under Wisconsin Department of Justice administrative rules.
• Candidates must possess at least 40 college credits, undergo a criminal history and driver record check, successfully complete a medical examination by a licensed health care provider and participate in a personal screening interview.
• Recruits are responsible for the cost of a weapon, magazines and other related duty gear in addition to tuition and study materials.

Entrance Requirements

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a United States citizen
• Be of good moral character
• Have achieved at least 40 fully accredited college credits
• Possess a valid Wisconsin driver's license or other such valid operator's permit recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as authorizing operation of a motor vehicle
• Successfully pass a physical readiness test
• Complete a criminal history records check
• Complete a DJ-LE 327 Application
• Complete an oral interview with a panel
• Undergo FBI fingerprinting (only done if accepted in Academy)
• Undergo a medical assessment (only done if accepted in Academy)

 1. Physical Readiness Test

You must take a Physical Readiness Test. The test can be conducted at either of the following YMCA locations:

Waukesha YMCA
320 E. Broadway, Waukesha, WI 53186

Tri County YMCA
N84W17501 Menomonee Ave., Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

• A $65 fee will be charged over the phone. Should you not pass, another appointment can be scheduled for another day and another fee will be charged.
• Bring the following to your appointment:
  • Valid photo ID
  • Completed Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) and signed YMCA informed Consent form and signed WCTC Release of Liability form.
• Upon completion of the test, YMCA staff will enter the test results in the WI Department of Justice Physical Readiness Test database and an automatic email will be sent to you with the results. A copy of this email is required for your Law Enforcement Academy application packet.
• Test results are only good for 6 months, so schedule the assessment no more than 180 days from the start date of the academy.

2. Complete Application Packet

Mail or email the following required documents prior to the application deadline (late applications will not be accepted) to:

Maureen Ashenfelter
WCTC - Recruit Academy
800 Main Street, W-120
Pewaukee, WI 53072

• Copy of driver's license
• Official college transcripts (if sending from an outside vendor, please put Attn: Jodi Crozier)
• Copy of high school diploma or high school transcripts
• Copy of your Physical Readiness Test Certificate (PRT)
• Completed DJ-LE 327 Application for enrollment in training

Email the following required documents prior to the application deadline (late applications will not be accepted) to Maureen Ashenfelter:

• MV2896 – Driver Record Request
• DJ-LE-250 – Wisconsin Criminal History Record Request

Do not include any other items, except for those mentioned above and do not answer questions in section 6 of the application packet. Handwritten documents not accepted. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or accepted.

3. Program Acceptance

• Completed applications will be reviewed and those chosen will be invited to interview with a panel of criminal justice executives.
• Those accepted in the program will be notified approximately 5-6 weeks prior to the start of training.
• If accepted to the academy, you will also need to complete a medical assessment and undergo a FBI fingerprint check.

Jodi Crozier
Academy Director
262.691.5070

Maureen Ashenfelter
Administrative Assistant
262.691.5569

If you have an interest in working in law enforcement, this program may be right for you. The academy is a great fit for those who have worked in safety and security positions and want to take the next step to become a certified law enforcement official.

• Law Enforcement Officer
• Police Officer
• Detective

$52,700 – $83,400 annually

Salary range estimates based on wages for related occupations in Waukesha County as reported by Lightcast. Individual wages may vary based on experience, industry, location and specific job requirements. Find our graduates' entry wages in the most recent Graduate Success Report.

This program is not currently eligible for financial aid. 

Want to use your military benefits? Contact Sue Schroeder, 262.691.5431.