Chautauqua County Sheriff's Academy

Train in the Sheriff's Academy

Since 1978, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Academy has operated in partnership with Jamestown Community College to prepare individuals for careers in law enforcement. This comprehensive training program leads to a Certificate of Completion for the New York State Certified Basic Police Training Course, which is a legal requirement for municipal police officers in New York State.

Graduates of the Sheriff’s Academy are eligible for employment with most police agencies in New York State, as well as agencies in states that recognize New York State’s Certified Basic Police Training. In many cases, agencies may place Academy graduates into active service immediately, with minimal additional local training.

2026 Academy applications are closed

The application deadline for Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Academy for May 2026 has passed.

Academy Timeline & Courses

For 2026, the Sheriff’s Academy Basic Course for Police Officers full-time training program will begin mid-May on the Jamestown Community College campus. The program consists of 868 total training hours.

Starting in 2027, Academies could start in January and late May/early June, depending on needs. Check with the Sheriff’s Academy for when the next Academy Session is set to begin.

  • Classroom instruction: Recruits attend classroom-based training for 20 weeks, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for a total of 708 instructional hours.
  • Field training: Upon successful completion of the classroom portion, recruits must complete 160 hours of supervised field training with their sponsoring agency.

The Academy is taught by more than 60 instructors, all of whom are active-duty law enforcement officers with advanced certifications in their respective areas of expertise. Coursework includes, but is not limited to:

  • Firearms/Range Training
  • Law Enforcement Academy I & II
  • Penal Law and Criminal Procedure Law
  • Use of Force
  • Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
  • Law Enforcement Practicum (Field Training)
  • Physical Education for Law Enforcement Officers
  • Defensive Tactics for Law Enforcement
  • Report Writing

Completion of the Sheriff’s Academy does not guarantee continued employment.

Admission Criteria

Basic admission criteria:

  • Must have successfully completed high school or earned a GED
  • Must be at least twenty (20) years old to be accepted into the program
  • Must have no felony convictions
  • Must have a valid New York State Operator's License
  • Must be able to pass a physical agility pre-test
  • Pass an oral interview by Academy Committee
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must also pass all JCC's Admissions criteria
  • Residency in New York State for less than a year may incur additional JCC tuition fees

*Please note: there may be additional requirements beyond the above criteria, and the start date is subject to change.

In addition to the basic admission criteria:

We also welcome potential applicants who possess any of the following:

  • Any college credits beyond a high school diploma or GED
  • Military experience
  • Workforce experience outside of law enforcement
Program Cost & Payment

The full tuition of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Academy is payable by the first class. JCC will share a payment plan option for those accepted into the program.

Program cost: $7,000

  • Tuition: $4,800 (includes: tuition, technology, ID, learning network, lab)
  • Fees: $2,200 (clothing, range, crime scene supplies, equipment fee, EMS certificate, books)

Additional fees for items required as prerequisites for entry into program:

  • Comprehensive medical exam: $291
  • Psychological testing: $275
  • Pistol permit/fingerprinting*: $132    
  • Uniforms: $250
  • Sheriff’s office fee: $700

*For those applicants that do not hold a Chautauqua/Cattaraugus pistol permit.