View Full Version : how to get your P.O.S.T cerificate in Colorado
Can someone run me through the process and requirements for getting my Post certificate here in Colorado? Thanks
KevDen2005
02-12-2013, 17:32
Get hired with an agency that has their own P.O.S.T. Academy or put yourself through an approved P.O.S.T. Academy. Pretty much sums it up. You're welcome to PM me if you have any specific questions.
There are two ways...
1. Put yourself through a P.O.S.T academy (red rocks, AIMS, etc...)
2. Get hired by an agency that will send you through one.
You cant be a felon or have any other convictions that will keep you from possesing a firearm.
Get hired with an agency that has their own P.O.S.T. Academy or put yourself through an approved P.O.S.T. Academy. Pretty much sums it up. You're welcome to PM me if you have any specific questions.What I was looking at was doing it online and just paying out of pocket.
There are two ways...
1. Put yourself through a P.O.S.T academy (red rocks, AIMS, etc...)
2. Get hired by an agency that will send you through one.
You cant be a felon or have any other convictions that will keep you from possesing a firearm.I was going to go to Aims when I first moved to CO so maybe I should go that rout again. My plan is to get certified and go and work for a smaller agency.
Snowman78
02-12-2013, 17:37
There is no way to do it online
What I was looking at was doing it online and just paying out of pocket.
Online? Use of deadly force, ect... online? Online?
Surely you jest. Please tell me you are kidding and just trying to stir the pot.
KevDen2005
02-12-2013, 18:12
What I was looking at was doing it online and just paying out of pocket.
I don't believe there is any way to do it online since someone has to teach and grade driving, shooting, and defensive tactics. Also the law class is probably the next thing that will get you through the POST examination.
There are part-time academies, ACC offers one.
Online? Use of deadly force, ect... online? Online?
Surely you jest. Please tell me you are kidding and just trying to stir the pot.Just a little but serious about going to Aims. I have one big concern and that is my back as I have 2 damaged disks. Is this something I can still do?
OneGuy67
02-12-2013, 18:29
Just a little but serious about going to Aims. I have one big concern and that is my back as I have 2 damaged disks. Is this something I can still do?
I would say not. You won't be allowed to go through the arrest control portion of the academy and without that skills testing and cert, you can't obtain a POST.
Were you serious about the online thing? Be honest. You sounded serious.
Anyway, the answer to your question is right here: http://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/departments/criminal_justice/post_boardI was not before cause I figured you kind of had to be there but now am confused with what you just posted. Unless I am mistaken it looks like there is a online course please explain? Is it just to get ready for it? Thanks.
I would say not. You won't be allowed to go through the arrest control portion of the academy and without that skills testing and cert, you can't obtain a POST.This is kind of why I wanted to get advice from people that are certified. I kind of want to know what I am getting into as far as being fit goes. This is something I would really like to do and will give it everything I have.
SA Friday
02-12-2013, 20:31
Can you fight off a physically fit semi-trained 25 year old who works out every other day for 3 minutes? If not, then no. You are not physically fit nor ready for the training or the job.
OneGuy67
02-12-2013, 22:55
This is kind of why I wanted to get advice from people that are certified. I kind of want to know what I am getting into as far as being fit goes. This is something I would really like to do and will give it everything I have.
Arrest control is a 40 hour portion of the academy. Getting thrown to the ground is part of it. Annual recerts at an agency is also part of it. If you can't handle the physical portion of it, you won't pass the academy or the annual recerts.
Can you fight off a physically fit semi-trained 25 year old who works out every other day for 3 minutes? If not, then no. You are not physically fit nor ready for the training or the job.
HA you have not been looking at the same cops I have been looking at. A lot of them are chubby chubby and couldn't last long in a fight or run more than a block either.
Great-Kazoo
02-12-2013, 23:00
HA you have not been looking at the same cops I have been looking at. A lot of them are chubby chubby and couldn't last long in a fight or run more than a block either.
They're already on the job. IF you cannot pass the physical, you cannot be POST certified, then there's the pysc eval.
SA Friday
02-12-2013, 23:08
HA you have not been looking at the same cops I have been looking at. A lot of them are chubby chubby and couldn't last long in a fight or run more than a block either.
Each agency is different, but an LE academy is an LE academy. Being certified and getting certified are two different things.
To be frank, learning the laws and legal aspects was the hardest part for me when I went through the AFOSI academy. I was doing 16 hour days, 8 hours of class and 8 hours of studying, no weekends off, three months straight. If the physical aspect is even in question before starting, I don't think it's going to be the right path.
They're already on the job. IF you cannot pass the physical, you cannot be POST certified, then there's the pysc eval.I am not worried about the psych evaluation or the lie detector as I do not see any reason I would not pass.
Each agency is different, but an LE academy is an LE academy. Being certified and getting certified are two different things.
To be frank, learning the laws and legal aspects was the hardest part for me when I went through the AFOSI academy. I was doing 16 hour days, 8 hours of class and 8 hours of studying, no weekends off, three months straight. If the physical aspect is even in question before starting, I don't think it's going to be the right path.That is one of the things I am worried about as well and one of the many reasons I did not finish when I was 21.
strm_trpr
02-12-2013, 23:36
I was not worried about a psych till i did not pass one for an agency. I passed another one for a different agency however, so....
anyways I put myself through POST at Red Rocks. The physical portion consisted of PT every other morning and on our own the rest of the time, arrest control, shooting and driving. The mental aspects involves 8 hour class room days and studying at home. It was tough and I never want to do it again.
I gather that you are not certified in another state? If you are, tis much easier.
Find a JC that teaches it. It costs from $4K-$8K, or more, for basic POST.
This one is only $3,300 http://www.dmtc.edu/academics/criminal-justice-professions.php
ACC in Littleton is where I recently graduated from. I dont know your limitations due to your back but the arrest control (PPCT) was tough some days. My shoulder still aint right after getting cuff dragged 4 months ago. However, our instructors worked around those with injuries and were careful as to not re-injure those folks. We also had PT. Running, pushups, pullups, bench, all that fun stuff may cause you issues as well. My suggestion is to talk with your doctor and the academy director to decide if it is something you can do. Oh yeah, those belts get heavy wearing them all day every day. I had a blast in the academy and I recommend you do it if you are healthy enough. Good luck to you. PM me if you have any questions
ShelbyJK500
02-13-2013, 03:14
I gather that you are not certified in another state? If you are, tis much easier.
Find a JC that teaches it. It costs from $4K-$8K, or more, for basic POST.
This one is only $3,300 http://www.dmtc.edu/academics/criminal-justice-professions.php
There is no way he is already certified in another state based on the questions being asked.
OP...just my .02 cents, but I wouldn't seek advice on a career like law enforcement on an online community forum. You would be best served by contacting POST, or any metro area departments recruitment officer/division. Heck, even going to a local college that hosts a POST academy would be able to answer most of your questions. Something as big as a career in law enforcement requires a bit more than thinking you can get certified online and asking people on a forum how to do it. Feel free to PM me if I can point you further in the right direction.
There is no way he is already certified in another state based on the questions being asked.
OP...just my .02 cents, but I wouldn't seek advice on a career like law enforcement on an online community forum. You would be best served by contacting POST, or any metro area departments recruitment officer/division. Heck, even going to a local college that hosts a POST academy would be able to answer most of your questions. Something as big as a career in law enforcement requires a bit more than thinking you can get certified online and asking people on a forum how to do it. Feel free to PM me if I can point you further in the right direction.This is something I have wanted to do all of my life, I signed up and started to go through it right when I turned 21. I figured at that time I was not ready to do it and quit, something I really regret. I am ready now and I am basically just trying to find out what the physical demands are. As far as wanting to do it I do not need advice on that this is the only job I really want to do. Thank you for the advice I do appreciate it.
Snowman78
02-13-2013, 13:19
officer.com +1 great forum I have been there for years
centrarchidae
02-14-2013, 21:58
Those online courses you see on the POST homepage I linked to are just individual continuing education courses for officers that are already certified. It's not advertising an online academy. Active certified officers are required to complete a certain number of continuing education courses every year in order to maintain their certification, and the online courses listed are some of the available classes that qualify. Here's a couple more specific links that you should browse (and they are all from the POST page I already linked you to):
Threadjack: When did we get a POST continuing-ed requirement? I know most agencies do, but the last time I dealt with POST all they required was Anti-Bias and DNA, once in a lifetime.
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