Peace Officer Program
Public safety and criminal justice are critical demands from today’s citizens. Police, deputies, parole officers, troopers, and other authoritative figures enforce the law and create order. Sirens, tasers, and uniforms get people’s attention, but it’s skilled professionals like Ridgewater’s Peace Officer graduates who become peace officers who put their lives on the line to protect and to serve.
Program delivery
- Online – fully or blended with some in-person classes at Willmar campus
- Fall and spring starts
Skills you will learn
- Criminal law
- Police ethics and leadership
- Self-defense and enforcement tactics
- Homeland security
- Crime scene simulations
- Criminal investigations
- Public record reporting
- Media communications
Choose Ridgewater
Nationally recognized as one of the top 20 online associate degree law enforcement programs, Ridgewater’s Peace Officer program is comprehensive training with a long tradition. Experienced law professionals prepare students to either take their Minnesota Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) Board exam to enter the workforce or to transfer to obtain a related bachelor’s degree. A strong partnership with St. Cloud State University allows students to easily transfer. Available fully online (with exception to the 10-week skills training) or blended with online and on-campus classes, Ridgewater’s established program is helping fill the increasing demand for law enforcement. Jobs are waiting for you!
Program Distinction
Certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
Program attributes that help students thrive
- On campus option for the college experience for those looking for the social interaction
- Online option provides convenience and flexibility to working students or those with families
- Seasoned instructors are current with the latest industry tactics and challenges
- Students graduate with the strong foundation needed for skills training with the Minnesota Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST)
Ridgewater’s most successful Peace Officer graduates work well independently and with a team, communicate clearly both verbally and written, and comprehend information well. They can take charge of a situation and yet follow orders, and are physically fit or willing to pursue that goal. When the difference could be between life and death in an intense situation, Ridgewater wants you to be among the most prepared. We can get you there!
Salary and Job Outlook Law Enforcement
| Potential Careers for Graduates | Entry Level Annual Wage 2018 | Median Annual Wage 2018 | Projected Growth Rate 2016-2026 | Projected Regional Job Openings 2016-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $37,315 | $55,016 | 14% | 862 |
| Correctional Officers & Jailers | $39,603 | $59,571 | -1% | 832 |
| Probation Officers & Correctional Treatment | $25,064 | $38,750 | 14% | 144 |
| Detectives & Criminal Investigators | $44,907 | $61,152 | 14% | 101 |
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