The Sheriff’s Posse Academy typically presents the Basic Training Course over a six month period beginning in January of each year with graduation in June or July. The course is approximately 250 classroom hours plus practical skills such as firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations and first aid training. Training is usually scheduled for two evenings per week and one weekend day. A period with Field Training Officers then follows the Academy training for those wishing to go into the patrol section.

Admission to the Posse and the Basic Course is contingent on an applicant successfully completing the interview process, review board and background check. Applicants can graduate at one of three levels depending on their interests. Those wishing to assist the department in administrative ways must complete Level One training. Those wishing to work in limited specialty areas such as search and rescue, equestrian or as a professional advisor typically complete Level Two. Those wishing to perform patrol and traffic duties must complete Level Three although many applicants initially wanting to perform only administrative or specialty functions complete the entire course.

After graduation, the Academy offers in-service and specialty courses for Posse members such as Advanced Traffic Law, Search and Seizure Refresher classes and certification for using the state’s criminal records system.