Basic Peace Officer Training
4 courses · College of the Desert · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
BPOT 001 Basic Peace Officer Training-Module III
- Units
- 7
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 99, Lab Hours: 81
- Advisory
- ENG 061, AJ 001, & KINE 037.
This course is referred to as the Module III Academy and is designed to meet the minimum requirements of a Level III Reserve Officer as established by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). It is the first of three components of the Regular Basic Course-Modular Format Academy required to become a full time peace officer. The Module III Academy is a discipline/stress oriented program with an emphasis on Professionalism/Ethics & Leadership, Physical Fitness, Vehicle Operations, Arrest Methods/Defensive Tactics, Report Writing, First Aid/CPR, and Firearms training. In addition there are inspections, drill training (formation, facing movements, marching, etc.), and physical exercises (running, push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, etc.). Recruits attend the Academy in full uniform. There are 2 knowledge based examinations administered during the course which require a recruit to receive a passing score in order to successfully complete the Module III Academy. Students must also successfully pass Arrest Methods/Defensive Tactics and Firearms testing. There are a total of 168 hours required in this course.
BPOT 002 Basic Peace Officer Training-Module II
- Units
- 12
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 189, Lab Hours: 81
- Prerequisite
- BPOT 001.
This course is referred to as the Module II Academy and is designed to meet the minimum requirements of a Level II Reserve Officer as established by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). It is the second of three components of the Regular Basic Course-Modular Format Academy required to become a full time peace officer. The Module II Academy is a discipline/stress oriented program with an emphasis on Community Relations, Physical Fitness, Cultural Diversity, Arrest Methods/Defensive Tactics, Investigative Report Writing, Chemical Agents training and Firearms/Shotgun training. In addition there are inspections, drill training (formation, facing movements, marching, etc.), and physical exercises (running, push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, etc.). Recruits attend the Academy in full uniform. There is 1 knowledge based examination administered during the course that require a recruit to receive a passing score in order to successfully complete the Module II Academy. Students must also successfully pass Arrest Methods/Defensive Tactics and Firearms testing. There are a total of 268 hours required in this course.
BPOT 003 Basic Peace Officer Training-Module I
- Units
- 19
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 288, Lab Hours: 186
- Prerequisite
- BPOT 002.
This course is the third module in the Regular Basic Course-Modular Format training sequence. Intensive instruction designed to meet the minimum requirements of a peace officer, or Level I Police Reserve Officer as established by state law. Check the program website for additional information.
BPOT 003A Basic Peace Officer Training-Module I
- Units
- 17
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 247, Lab Hours: 200
- Prerequisite
- BPOT 002.
This course is the third module in the Regular Basic Course-Modular Format training sequence. Intensive instruction designed to meet the minimum requirements of a peace officer, or Level I Police Reserve Officer as established by state law. Check the program website for additional information.