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Veterans to Law Enforcement Program

VETERANS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

The Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST) and the Black River Technical College Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA) are happy to providing assistance to qualified Military Veterans that are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement.  The application process consists of the following steps:

  1. Military Veterans interested in applying for the program should contact Director Jared Bassham for information regarding the program and to begin the application process.
  2. The candidate for the program will be required to complete and submit an application packet. The packet will consist of the following forms/documents.
    1. A psychological evaluation conducted by a psychiatrist or psychologist.  Form F2-b.
    2. Waiver/Release and Hold Harmless Statement
    3. Personal History Statement (Form F-3)
    4. A short essay explaining why you are interested in becoming a law enforcement officer and lists the qualifications and experience you possess that would help you in this endeavor.
    5. Fingerprint card. Arrangements made with BRTC LETA staff.
    6. Initial Employment Form (Form F-1) After being accepted into the academy.
    7. LETA online application the following will be uploaded during the online application.
      1. DD214
      2. Placement Test Scores (For anyone graduating high school ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER scores are acceptable.  If less than 15+ earned college hours on a transcript.  Testing may be done at BRTC or any local 2 or 4-year secondary institution.)
      3. Immunization Record (Officers must have an MMR plus a booster MMR before being enrolled.  Mandatory for all officers born on or after January 1, 1957.  Any officer claiming a religious or philosophical exemption must contact the Arkansas Department of Health at 501-661-2000.)
      4. A physical examination conducted by a physician. Physical Training Form and a Form F-2 (uploaded together)
      5. Waiver of Liabilities and Information
    8. Official high school transcript or GED Scores, if less than 15 earned college credit hours.  Mailed directly to BRTC Attn: Admissions. PO Box 468, Pocahontas, AR 72455.
    9. Official college transcript for all colleges attended.  Official transcripts can be mailed directly to BRTC Attn: Registrar. PO Box 468, Pocahontas, AR 72455 or sent electronically.
  3. An ACIC/NCIC Criminal History Check will be conducted on all applicants upon receipt of the completed Personal History Statement and Waiver forms. The application will be reviewed to verify that the applicant meets the qualifications specified by CLEST Rules and Regulations.
  4. Applicants that successfully complete the oral interview process may be selected by the Committee for further consideration depending upon the number of positions available in the program.
  5. A background investigation will be completed on applicants that successfully complete the oral interview process. The Committee will review the results of the background investigation and approve applicants deemed qualified for admittance to the program.
  6. The Director and CLEST will be the final approving authority for an applicant’s acceptance into the program.

Click here for a printable checklist

BRTC’s Veteran Affairs page has information on applying for the GI Bill®.

To be eligible to apply for the Veterans to Law Enforcement Program, applicants must meet the following requirements (CLEST Regulation 1005 (2));

  1. Shall have served at least six months active duty in the Armed Services within ten (10) years prior to application.
  2. Meet minimum standards as required by an Arkansas Law Enforcement Officer as specified in CLEST Regulation 1002*.
  3. Successfully complete an oral interview.
  4. Pay the non-refundable cost of the training to BRTC-LETA prior to attending the Basic Training Course.

Notes:
(1) Veterans failing the Basic Police Training Course are ineligible to attend another course for a 24-month period as specified in CLEST Regulation 1005(e) and would be ineligible for 2nd entry into the program.
(2) Veterans that have not accepted employment as a law enforcement officer within three years of successful completion of a Basic Police Training Course, the certification shall expire.
(3) The cost to attend the program is $5500 for students to attend the program at the Black River Technical College Law Enforcement Training Academy.  If a veteran resides within approved commuting distance and does not require housing, breakfast, and evening meals, the cost to attend the Academy is $4500.  100% eligibility for the GI bill will only cover normal college expenses.  (i.e. Tuition and fees that are the same for every student across each program of study. To see current tuition and fees click here. The Basic Academy is based on 24 credit hours.  The rest of the cost will be out of pocket.)
(4) Payment must be received in full before credit is given for the class.  Certificate issuance will be delayed until payment is received.

*Specification 1002
Minimum Standards for Employment

Every officer employed by a law enforcement unit shall:

  1. Be a citizen of the United States.
  2. Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
  3. Be fingerprinted and a search initiated of state and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
  4. Be free of a felony record (pardoned or otherwise)
  5. Be of good character as determined by a thorough background investigation.
  6. Be a high school graduate or have passed the GED Test.
  7. Be examined by a licensed physician and meet the physical requirements prescribed in Specification S-5 physical examination.
  8. Be interviewed prior to employment.
  9. Be examined and found to be competent and recommend for hire by a psychiatrist or psychologist.
  10. Possess a valid driver’s license.