LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY

Age & Citizenship Requirements:

 

Anyone interested in attending the Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy must meet the following age and citizenship requirements:

 

• Must be at least 18 years of age;

• A recruit cannot test for P.O.S.T. licensure in the State of Missouri until they reach their 21st birthday.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

 

Educational Requirements:

 

 Anyone interested in attending the Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy must meet the following educational requirements:

 

• A High School diploma from an attendance-based, accredited high school (NOT an online or computer based high school program); or

• An equivalent GED diploma

 

Students who graduated from a non-public high school must provide documentation that the school is accredited by the Department of Education for the corresponding state.  Students who graduated from a non-accredited high school must submit a GED certificate.  For locations on GED programs/tests, you can call the Assessment Office at (573) 518-2202.

 

Fingerprint Requirements:

 

Everyone attending the Law Enforcement Academy must submit their fingerprints for a background check.  Instructions on how and where to be fingerprinted are included with the acceptance packet sent to those potential recruits who have successfully completed the initial testing phase for the Academy.  Students with ANY criminal or moral arrests/convictions are subject to review by the Academy Director, who may deny entrance based upon the arrest or conviction. 

 

Criminal History Requirements:

 

Anyone interested in attending the Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy must meet the following Criminal History requirements:

 

• Has never been convicted of ANY felony;

• Has never been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the past ten years but

• The Academy MAY approve the application of a person who was convicted of a Class B misdemeanor at least five (5) years prior to application if the individual sufficiently demonstrates in writing with supporting documentation that mitigating circumstances exist with the case and the individual applying for licensure and that the public interest would be served by reducing the waiting period;

• Has never been convicted of any Domestic Violence offense;

• Is not prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle;

• Is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition;

• Has been subjected to a background investigation and interviewed by academy staff if warranted.

• Is not currently on any Community Supervision/Probation for any offense.

 

In addition to the preceding, the following must be met as well:

 

• Possess a valid Missouri driver’s license;

• Have no DWI or related arrest within the last 3 years or

• Have no more than two (2) DWIs within the past ten years;

• Have no drug or related arrest in the last three years; and

• Not be under any Full Order of Protection where you are the respondent.

 

Physical Requirements and Drug Testing Policy:

 

Anyone interested in attending the Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy must meet the   following Physical requirements:

 

• Has been examined by a licensed Physician who is licensed to practice medicine in the State of Missouri;

• The physician must be familiar with the duties appropriate to the type of license sought and training to be attended;

• The recruit must be declared in writing by that professional within ninety (90) days before the scheduled beginning date of the academy.

• ALL potential recruits will be drug tested periodically during the testing period and throughout the academy. A positive drug test will result in immediate dismissal from the program.

 ​

Tattoos: 

​

No tattoos or brands on the arms shall extend below the wrist. No tattoo or brand of any type is authorized on the head, face (including inside of mouth), neck, or hands except as described below. Exceptions to this rule may be made on a case-by-case basis by the Director.

 

• Neck – The academy polo shirts serve as the reference point for the back and sides of the neck; i.e., no tattoo or brand may be visible above the collar of the academy polo on the neck.  In the case of a tattoo or brand very near the collarbone, a final evaluation must be made to ensure that no tattoo is visible when wearing a PT shirt or academy polo.

• Hands – Tattoos in the form of a ring are authorized on the wearer’s fingers (not thumbs) with the limitation of one tattoo per hand. 

• Head/Face – Permanent eyeliner makeup in the form of cosmetic tattooing is authorized for female members. 

• Content - Tattoos or brands anywhere on the body that promote racism/discrimination, indecency, extremist or supremacist philosophies, lawlessness, violence, or contain sexually explicit material are prohibited. 

 

Military Service:

 

Anyone interested in attending the Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy and who has been in the Military must meet the following requirements:

 

• Has not been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions, including specifically;

  • Under other than honorable conditions,

  • Bad conduct;

  • Dishonorable;

  • Any other characterization of service indicating bad character

​

Academic Testing Requirements:

 

Anyone interested in attending the Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy must meet the following academic and physical fitness requirements:

 

The three parts of the MACLEA testing process include:

1. Written Test (ACCUPLACER or ACT)

2. Three-part physical fitness test

3. Psychological Test (PAF)

 

• Each potential recruit will need to take and achieve a passing score on each of the following tests:

  • ACCUPLACER test consists of three parts: Writing, Reading, and Math.  To determine the suitableness for training, the recruit will need to achieve at least a 31 on the Writing portion of the ACCUPLACER test or

  • ACT test with a minimum score of 14 on the English portion of the test;

  • If either test has been taken and the minimum score is not achieved, then the recruit may take and successfully complete Basic Writing Skills II to meet the minimum writing skills needed by a successful recruit in the law enforcement academy.

  • The psychological test that is administered at MACLEA is the Psychological Aptitude Form (PAF).  It will measure the potential recruit in five different areas: Racial Acuity, Use of Force, Flexibility, Maturity, and Authority.

  • Any recruit who is identified as a caution indicator on any portion of the PAF may be asked to attend a follow-up interview by MACLEA staff to determine suitability to attend and successfully complete the academy program.

 

Physical Fitness Standards

​

Upon entry into the Academy, every potential recruit will be given the same test as an assessment for training purposes and to ensure that each recruit can undergo the physical demands of the Academy without undue risk of injury and with a level of fatigue tolerance to meet all Academy requirements.

 

​The three parts of the physical fitness test are sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run.  The run may be either inside or outside, depending on weather conditions.  Each part of the physical fitness test must be passed to proceed to the next test.  Failure of any part of the physical fitness test will eliminate the recruit from further consideration.​

 

Our admission requirements are based on what is mandated by State law and our experience with police recruits.  They are designed to assist us in determining who can meet our standards and be a successful recruit in the Academy.  We are attentive to the needs of the law enforcement community and the desires of each individual attempting to gain entry into the police profession.  The selection process assures us that all who gain entry are more than capable of completing the entire Academy program.

​​​

  

How will physical fitness be measured?

​

In order to successfully gain admittance into the MACLEA, each potential recruit must score at or above the following on the three-part physical fitness test:

​

• Sit-ups – Must be able to complete at least 10 in a minute

• Push-ups – Must be able to complete at least 10 in a minute

• 1.5-mile run – Must be able to complete the entire run in under 20 minutes

 

The three-part physical fitness test consists of three basic tests: sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run.  Each test is a scientifically valid test.  The tests will be given in sequence with a rest period in between.

​

1-minute sit-up test

This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles.  It is an important area of performing police tasks that may involve the use of force and is an important area for maintaining good posture and minimizing lower back problems.  The score is the number of bent-leg sit-ups performed in 1 minute.  Hands must remain on or about the head in the up position, elbows should touch the knees or upper portion of the thigh, and in the down position, the back must come down so that blades should touch the floor.  Legs may be held for assistance.

 

1-minute push-up test

This test requires pushing one’s own weight off the floor, measuring the amount of force the upper body can generate. An important aspect of performing police tasks requires upper body strength. The score is calculated by the number of push-ups performed in one minute. The chest must come down and touch a fist placed under the individual’s chest, and then the arms must go to full extension to complete one push-up. Female recruits will have a female proctor for the push-up test or another female recruit.

 

1.5-mile run

This is a timed run to measure the heart and vascular system’s capability to transport oxygen.  Performing police tasks involves stamina and endurance, in turn minimizing the risk of cardiovascular problems.  The score is in minutes and seconds.

​

 

Nondiscriminatory Policy:

 

The Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy admits students of any race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the Academy.  It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its training policies and other academy-administered programs.  Mineral Area College is committed to equal opportunity in employment and admissions.  Any inquiries or concerns about discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, ancestry, or veteran status may be directed to the Office of Human Resources, 5270 Flat River Rd., Park Hills, MO 63601.

​