Training for Today's Law Enforcement Officers

Any person applying for the Municipal Police Officers’ Training Academy must adhere to the following to be considered for admission:

• Be 18 years of age when applying to the police academy. There is no maximum age restriction.
• Be of good moral character and, under oath, attest that he/she has no prior criminal record.
• Complete and submit an application, including Release of Information and Certification.
• Provide a current photo identification and/or driver's license.
• Provide proof of high school graduation or GED certificate.
• Obtain and submit (before deadline) a physical examination, at applicant's expense, by a PA licensed physician, certified nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant and a 5 panel drug test (See Forms section below).
  • Applicants may attend the academy without satisfying the the following vision requirements, however, you must meet those requirments to be a municipal police officer after graduation.
  •  A visual acuity of at least 20/70, uncorrected in the stronger eye, correctable to at least 20/20; and at least 20/200, uncorrected in the weaker eye, correctable to at least 20/40. Normal depth and color perception are also required.  Graduates have had great success with Lasik Eye Surgery.
  • The physical form must be dated no earlier than six (6) months prior to the first class session.
  • The physical must be submitted before participating in the physical fitness screening evaluations. 
• Obtain scores in the 30th percentile in the Physical Fitness Tests (One-minute sit-up and push up tests, 1.5 mile run and 300-meter run). This test is provided by the college for no charge.
• Obtain and submit (before the deadline) a psychological examination, at applicant's expense, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), by a PA licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. (See Form section below)
• Take the Nelson-Denny Reading Examination provided by the college for no charge.
• Submit to a criminal history check and background investigation.
  • Any conviction graded misdemeanor of the 2nd degree or higher is grounds for automatic disqualification.
  • No applicant will be considered while under parole or probation, whatever the offense, including sentences of ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) nor will an applicant be considered within one year of completing ARD probation.     
• Complete, if requested, an oral interview with the Academy Director and Lead Instructor.
• Submit a copy of military discharge (DD-214), if applicable, and F.B.I. background check.
• If you are already a sworn municipal police officer, present written authorization from the commissioner, Pennsylvania State Police, showing approval of enrollment.

Physical Fitness Test

Following receipt of completed applications, applicants will be scheduled for the physical fitness test.

NOTE: Nearly 50% of the applicants to the police academy fail the entrance physical fitness examination. If you are interested in attending the academy, start now to improve your health and fitness. Suggestions on improving your fitness may be found in the Cadet Handbook.

Nelson-Denny Reading Examination

After successful completion of the physical fitness test, applicants will be scheduled to take the Nelson-Denny Reading Examination.

Acceptance into the academy is contingent upon successful completion of every process described above. Representatives of the academy staff determine final acceptance after reviewing all available information. Westmoreland reserves the right to reject any applicant who fails to comply with all the standards established above or who fails to fully cooperate in any of the screening processes.

Tuition for the 2025 police academies is still only $4,950. 

There are several methods for paying tuition:

• GI Bill® and PA National Guard and reservist educational benefits approved for both academies.
• Self-pay: Westmoreland also has a three payment plan with one third due before classes start, another third payable 1/3 of the way through the class and the final third payable 2/3 of the way through the course.
• The academy program is eligible for certain private educational loans.
• To set up additional payment plans, please contact the Police Academy Director at 724-925-4298 for details.

In an effort to keep the cost down to our cadet applicants, we do not add additional charges for reading tests, background investigations or physical entry assessment testing. Please call for any questions or issues you may have.  We strive to make sure you succeed!

We allow the flexibility of the applicant to seek a medical professional for their physical and psychological test that fits their budget.  Should you have difficulty finding one of these professionals, feel free to contact us and we will assist you.

For information on finding a psychologist, physician or drug testing location please contact the director at 724-925-4298.

Act 165 Waivers (Please contact MPOETC for partial waiver information)

Attention former Federal Law Enforcement, Military Police and out of state Officers:

Pennsylvania passed Act 165 of 2012 which, amongst other things, allows former Federal Law Enforcement Officers (FLEO), former Military Police (MP) and out of state officers to obtain a waiver to a sizable portion of the Act 120 772-hour Basic Municipal Police Officer Training Program. MPOETC has asked existing PA Municipal Police Officer Training Academies to provide these training courses. Westmoreland has agreed to provide this training.

To obtain a waiver, the applicant must take a placement test with MPOETC.

Once a waiver is approved by the Municipal Police Officer Training and Education Commission (MPOETC), the former FLEO,  MP or out of state officer attends an abbreviated training course. Upon successful completion of the course and the state certification examination, these former FLEO’s and MP’s become certifiable as municipal police officers in the state of Pennsylvania. The MPOETC has developed an abbreviated Partial Waiver Course specific to this FLEO/MP waiver. The MPOETC may determine that additional training is required in HAZMAT, EVOC, Firearms, First Aid and CPR. 

You may download these forms by clicking on the links below. Please view them in the order in which they are found below.

• Prospective Cadet Checklist: 
  • Act 120
  • Act 165
• Instructions for Completing Forms
• Municipal Police Officers' Training Academy  Application Form
  • Submit completed application to prattmelFREEWESTMORELAND
• Academy Physical Exam Form: This form must be filled out by the healthcare professional and mailed directly to Melissa Pratt at the address below.
• Psychological Examination Form: This form must be filled out by the psychiatric healthcare professional and mailed directly to Melissa Pratt at the address below.
• Physical Fitness Program

We recommend that you immediately start preparing for the physical fitness entrance requirements.  These testing standards and suggestions for developing a personal fitness regimen can be found in the back section of the Cadet Handbook.

All application paperwork should be mailed to:
Melissa Pratt
Westmoreland County Community College Police Academy
65 Public Safety Drive 
Smithton, PA 15479

If you have any questions, please contact Director Franklin R. Newill III at 724-925-4298 or at newillfFREEWESTMORELAND