Correctional Officer Certificate Program

Correctional officers are sometimes called detention officers. They work in prisons, jails, reformatories, and penitentiaries. They may also work in courthouses or with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Their job is to oversee, secure, and control individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial, or those who have been convicted and incarcerated.

Seminole State's Criminal Justice Academy offers a training program for correctional officers, which focuses on training students:

• How to deal with emergency situations.
• Defensive tactics and weapons.
• How to communicate with the institution's population.
• How correctional institutions operate.
• Legal issues.

This program prepares students for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) exam. Students cannot be employed as a correctional officer in Florida unless they pass this exam.

Why Should I Take This Training Program at Seminole State?

Seminole State's Criminal Justice Academy is a state-certified training center that has been preparing students for careers in law enforcement since 1969. The Corrections Officer Academy was founded in 1994, and its success is due to:

• A thorough selection process.
• Small class sizes that provide opportunities for individualized training.
• Instructors that teach traditional law enforcement, with modern techniques and technology.
• Its adherence to Florida state requirements and regulations.

How Do I Earn the Correctional Officer Certificate?

To earn the Correctional Officer Certificate, you must complete the curriculum. Earning the Correctional Officer Certificate does not mean you are certified to work as a correctional officer in Florida; you must pass the FDLE exam to earn the certification.

How Does Florida Determine Correctional Officer Standards and Requirements?

The FDLE determines the primary responsibilities, eligibility requirements, certification and testing requirements, as well as specialized and advanced training for correctional officers. The American Correctional Association (ACA) and the American Jail Association (AJA) are the two nationally recognized organizations that define and set regulations for correctional officers. 

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