Chautauqua County Sheriff's Academy
The Training Division is responsible for conducting the annual Basic Course for Police Officers for any police officer within the Zone 13 training region. This includes but is not limited to all of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties. In addition we offer advanced courses to police officers who are currently on the job and aspiring to better their careers. The training division conducts all in-service training for the members of the Chautauqua County Office of the Sheriff as well as the Chautauqua Police Department and the Westfield Police Departments. The director serves as the department accreditation program manager and maintains the files which contain documentation necessary to certify our agency as accredited by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office Training Division serves as the liaison between Jamestown Community College, the Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Emergency Services.
Since 1978 the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Academy, in partnership with JCC, has offered a unique program to those interested in careers as police officers. The training program provides successful graduates with 45 college credits and a certificate of completion from the New York State Certified Basic Police Training Course, which is a legal requirement for municipal police officers in New York state.
One of the benefits of this program is that most police agencies in New York state or any state honoring New York State Certified Basic Training Courses, may employ a graduate of the Sheriff’s Academy program and be able to put their new employee to work immediately with little additional local training.
The fall Basic Police Academy begins in August each year on the Jamestown Campus. This full-time (35 hours per week, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) training experience continues until mid-March, followed by 160 hours of field training. Graduation generally occurs in June.
The program is operated in a two-semester system. Upon completion of 45 college credits, a student will earn a certificate in law enforcement technology from JCC. All credits earned in the certificate can be applied toward the A.A.S.-Individual Studies