The Academy
The Anchorage Police Department Academy’s mission is to train and certify police officers to effectively enforce the law within the Municipality of Anchorage, in keeping with the time honored tradition “To Serve and Protect” our community. The Academy is designed to push recruits mentally, physically, and emotionally, farther than they have ever been before.
This is a non-residential academy. The schedule is 11 hours per day, 4 days a week, Monday thru Thursday. Recruits are required to secure their own housing and transportation. The academy will be followed by a 19 week field training program. Recruits are paid while attending the academy; the current wage is $22.28 per hour.
The Academy consists of 22 weeks of training specifically designed around basic Law Enforcement officer skills which are taught and evaluated through scenarios. Recruits receive over 100 hours of Defensive Tactics which include handcuffing, baton training, OC spray, ground fighting skills, and other department approved tactics. Academy Recruits are required to complete over 100 hours of firearms training which includes the safe operation and handling of the Glock pistol and Remington 870 shotgun.
The Academy also covers other Law Enforcement related topics such as State Law, Municipal Law, DUI, Radar, First Aid, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Domestic Violence, and Officer Survival Training, just to mention a few of the courses offered.
Academy Recruits are held to a rigid physical fitness standard throughout the Academy. Recruits will be required to perform a 300 meter dash, mile and a half run, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and numerous other callisthenic exercises. A willingness to learn, enthusiasm, confidence, and determination are a must in order to successfully complete the Academy.
The success of a recruit is directly determined by his/her ability to adapt, learn, remain self motivated, and stay focused on the goal of becoming an Anchorage Police Officer.