Law Enforcement

Your Career in Law Enforcement Starts with this POST-Certified Program

Law Enforcement students in classroom

Program Overview

Are you driven by a sense of justice and a desire to serve your community? College of Western Idaho (CWI) offers a Law Enforcement program tailored to equip you for a rewarding career in law enforcement and detention settings. This program, leading to either an Intermediate Technical Certificate or an Associate of Applied Science degree in Law Enforcement, integrates a Basic Patrol Academy approved by the Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Council.

Immerse yourself in rigorous training that meets all Idaho POST requirements, including physical fitness, marksmanship, and written examinations. Selective and competitive, CWI's Law Enforcement program necessitates a supplemental application process. You will undergo a thorough selection process, including a comprehensive background check, polygraph examination, and more, ensuring your readiness for this critical field.

Degree or Certificate Type

Associate of Applied Science

Intermediate Technical Certificate

Time to Complete

1 – 2 years

Primary Location

Applications Open

The Fall 2024 program application deadline for Law Enforcement is Monday, July 1

Admission Steps

Law enforcement instructor teaching a group of students in the classroom

Learning Opportunities

  • POST Certified Training: Experience comprehensive training that satisfies all requirements for basic academy training in patrol and detention.
  • Expert Instructors: Learn from over 60 subject matter experts, all POST certified who have or are actively working in the field.
  • Advanced Technology: Train with the most advanced law enforcement technology available in the region.
  • Practical Field Experience: Gain real-world experience through patrol and detention practicums with various agencies.
  • Community Engagement: Participate in community projects, preparing you for a lifetime of public service.

Area of Study

Degrees & Certificates

Law Enforcement – Associate of Applied Science Degree

Law Enforcement – Intermediate Technical Certificate

Police with police dog in foggy parking lot

Career Opportunities

  • Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

    53

    Annual Openings*

    $28.87

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $60,050

    Annual Median Salary

    8.93%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Managers, All Other

    All managers not listed separately.

    51

    Annual Openings*

    $24.55

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $51,064

    Annual Median Salary

    39.33%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Business Operations Specialists, All Other

    All business operations specialists not listed separately.

    43

    Annual Openings*

    $34.94

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $72,675

    Annual Median Salary

    31.98%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Project Management Specialists

    Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer. Excludes “Management Occupations” (11-0000), “Logisticians” (13-1081), “Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners” (13-1121), and “Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks” (43-5061).

    28

    Annual Openings*

    $36.96

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $76,877

    Annual Median Salary

    34.14%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Public Safety Telecommunicators

    Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.

    10

    Annual Openings*

    $18.30

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $38,064

    Annual Median Salary

    10.12%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

    Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

    9

    Annual Openings*

    $38.84

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $80,787

    Annual Median Salary

    7.33%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes. Excludes “Private Detectives and Investigators” (33-9021).

    5

    Annual Openings*

    $31.06

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $64,605

    Annual Median Salary

    2.36%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Labor Relations Specialists

    Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints. Excludes equal employment opportunity (EEO) officers, who are included in “Compliance Officers” (13-1041).

    2

    Annual Openings*

    $30.04

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $62,483

    Annual Median Salary

    19.88%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Emergency Management Directors

    Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

    N/A

    Annual Openings*

    $34.49

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $71,739

    Annual Median Salary

    N/A

    Growth (2021 - 2031)*

Load more

*Data sourced from Lightcast™ (2023), a global leader in labor market analytics, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data.

"I have a deep desire to help people, and I have always wanted to be someone people can rely on. There is no better way to help the community and to help others in need than to be a first responder because you are the first thing people think of during the worst moments of their lives. I feel like I have finally found the career of my life, I am excited to start work once I graduate. I am ready to go." Read more > about CWI Law Enforcement Program Filling Gaps around State and Country
Holland Ahern
Student, Law Enforcement

Admissions

Admission into the Law Enforcement program is competitive and requires a supplemental application process.

STEP 1

Step 2

  • Review the Law Enforcement Application Steps which includes details on:
    • qualifications and cost
    • the pre-application process
    • admission to CWI
    • entrance and polygraph exams
    • background checks
    • POST application and training
    • certification and employment

STEP 3

  • Complete each step of the application process as indicated by the deadline.

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

  • Friday, July 1

Academic Calendar New Student Checklist

News

Law Enforcement students, faculty, and staff joined forces to help rake and clean up around homes in Nampa

Read more about Law Enforcement Students Help Rake Up Nampa

College of Western Idaho Fire Service Technology and Law Enforcement students paid tribute and honored the lives affected by the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, at a Memorial Ceremony.

Read more about CWI Fire and Law Enforcement Students Honor Heroes and Victims of 9/11

Law Enforcement graduate, Rigdon Reddish, has been hired at his dream job before he has even turned 21 years old.

Read more about Getting a Head Start on His Dreams Through CWI

Law Enforcement program tactical medical training offers a unique, bleeding mannequin no other agency in the region has.

Read more about Law Enforcement Program Leading Region in Tactical Medical Training

Congratulations to Class 12 of College of Western Idaho’s Law Enforcement program who were honored during a ceremony, May 10.

Read more about Ceremony Honors 2023 Law Enforcement Graduates

College of Western Idaho’s Law Enforcement program helped clean and rake up some homes in the Treasure Valley as part of this year’s Rake Up Caldwell.

Read more about CWI Law Enforcement Students Help Rake Up Caldwell

College of Western Idaho’s Law Enforcement program looks to train and produce first responders of tomorrow which will also fill gaps in law enforcement officer shortages around the state.

Read more about CWI Law Enforcement Program Filling Gaps around State and Country

Congratulations to Class 11 of College of Western Idaho’s Law Enforcement program who were honored during a ceremony, May 11.

Read more about Ceremony Honors 2022 Law Enforcement Graduates

Law Enforcement students from College of Western Idaho could be spotted along Interstate 84 picking up trash in early April as part of Idaho’s Adopt-a-Highway program.

Read more about Law Enforcement Students Adopt a Highway

Students from College of Western Idaho’s Law Enforcement give back by serving the community during Rake Up Nampa.

Read more about Law Enforcement Students Help Rake Up Nampa

Classes 9 and 10 of College of Western Idaho’s Law Enforcement program were recognized during a ceremony May 6. 

Read more about Ceremony Recognizes 2021 Law Enforcement Graduates

All six members of Class 9 of CWI’s Law Enforcement program were successfully employed within 30 days of completing the program.

Read more about Local Agencies Hire CWI Law Enforcement Students
View all news

Request More Information

Please complete the following

Connect With Us

Ready to get started? Our team looks forward to assisting you!