BRCC – Law Enforcement Academy Agreement

Program Details

• Location: CSCJTA, Weyers Cave, VA
• Timing: January to early summer (spring semester)
• Format: Full-time academy training substituting for the student’s final semester of coursework
• Credit: Successful academy completion awards the following credit toward the degree:
  • ADJ Electives — 6 credits
  • ADJ 115 Patrol Procedures — 3 credits
  • ADJ 131 Legal Evidence — 3 credits
  • ADJ 138 Defensive Tactics — 2 credits
  • ADJ 296 On-Site Training — 4 credits

Cost of Training

Academy training is paid directly by the student to CSCJTA — it is separate from BRCC tuition and is not covered by the college.

• Current discounted rate for BRCC students: $2,750
• This rate is set by CSCJTA and subject to change; students should contact the academy directly for current fees before applying.

Eligibility Requirements (BRCC)

To apply for admission to the academy as a BRCC student, an applicant must have:

1. Completed all first- and second-semester courses with a grade of C or better
2. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
3. Second-year standing at BRCC
4. All remaining courses required for the degree completed before the academy start date, except those satisfied by academy credit (listed above)

Character, Conduct & Fitness Standards

Because CSCJTA training leads to law-enforcement certification eligibility, applicants are held to the same general standards Virginia law requires for law-enforcement officers (Code of Virginia § 15.2-1705). Students should be prepared to demonstrate, in advance of training:

• Good moral character, with no felony convictions or offenses that would constitute a felony in Virginia
• No positive result on a pre-employment/pre-training drug screening
• A clean and valid driving record; a valid driver’s license
• Physical fitness sufficient to complete defensive tactics, driver training, and other physically demanding academy components, certified by a licensed physician prior to testing
• Successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph examination, which may include fingerprint-based criminal history checks

These standards are set by the Commonwealth of Virginia and CSCJTA — not BRCC — and are assessed independently during CSCJTA’s screening process.

CSCJTA’s Own Selection Process and Policies

Admission to the academy is not guaranteed and is controlled entirely by CSCJTA, not BRCC. Meeting BRCC’s eligibility requirements makes a student eligible to apply — it does not guarantee acceptance. CSCJTA’s admissions process is conducted in multiple phases over several months and may include:

• Written and physical fitness testing
• Drug screening
• Background investigation and polygraph examination
• Verification documents (e.g., driver’s license, high school diploma or GED, birth certificate, health insurance verification)

Because this process unfolds over several months, students are encouraged to submit their email of interest as early as possible within the application window.

CSCJTA charges separate, non-refundable fees for testing, drug screening, and background investigation/polygraph over the course of the screening process, in addition to academy tuition. These fees are set by CSCJTA and are the responsibility of the applicant. Students should confirm current amounts and due dates directly with the academy.

Final acceptance is conditional and contingent on the background investigation, criminal history check, driving record, and available openings in the class.

Once training begins, students are subject to all rules, policies, and standards of CSCJTA, which operates independently of BRCC. Students should review the academy’s policies directly and direct any questions about rules, conduct standards, or training requirements to CSCJTA.

How to Apply

Send an email of interest to the CJ Program Director, Dr. Matthew O’Quinn, at oquinnm@brcc.edu.

• Email must be sent after May 1 and received no later than July 15
  • This applies to students seeking academy admission the following January

Students recommended by the college to proceed will then apply directly to CSCJTA for academy admission.

Email the academy directly at hgearheart@cscjta.org for current fees, policies, and additional information.