Law Enforcement

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Badge icon with Falcon head inside, with the words Phelps Law Enforcement Training Center, East Central College

East Central College partners with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department to offer basic training (Class A – peace officer) and continuing law enforcement education training (CLEE) in Rolla, MO through the ECC-Phelps Law Enforcement Training Center.

Basic Training Program

Mission Statement

The Certificate in Law Enforcement program mission is to provide safe, competent, and professional peace officers in a diverse and ever-changing public service environment.

Our 700-hour Missouri P.O.S.T. approved basic training program combines theory, experiential learning, and practical applications.

  • The 1-year certificate program begins in August and finishes in July
  • Classes held Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays 5 – 9 pm & Saturdays 8 am – 5 pm
  • On-campus classroom instruction is taught at ECC’s Rolla North site
  • Experiential learning and practical application is taught in facilities provided by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department

Upon successful completion of this program, students:

  • Graduate with a Certificate of Achievement in Law Enforcement and 37 hours of college credit
  • Are eligible to take the Missouri Peace Officer License Exam (MPOLE)
  • May opt to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement by taking additional general education courses

The program is approved by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development and the Higher Learning Commission.

A selective admission process is utilized for this program. The admission criteria and selection process are outlined in the Admissions tab.

Additional Information & Helpful Links

Continuing Law Enforcement Education Training (CLEE)

Please visit the CLEE tab for more information about upcoming continuing law enforcement education opportunities.

Request Info

If you would like more information about our Law Enforcement program, fill out our form and we will contact you.

Program Application with selection process is required for the 1 – year law enforcement certificate coursework. To enter this course of study, students must meet these institution and program-specific criteria:

  1. Apply for Admission to ECC: https://apply.eastcentral.edu/
    • Under Academic Goals, select Degree- or Certificate-Seeking –> Social Science Pathway –> Law Enforcement. Contact Admissions at (636) 584-6588 for questions
  2. Request all official transcripts (High School, High School Equivalency, Home school, Technical School, and College) be sent to
  3. Apply for Financial Aid
  4. Placement into ENG 101 or have successfully completed ENG 101 (any assessment used to determine placement must be within 5 years from the start of the program)
  5. Complete and submit the Law Enforcement Application by the specified deadline: **DUE JUNE 1, 2024**
  6. Additional Admission Requirements include:
    • 20 years of age prior to the start date of the 1-year law enforcement certificate program (and turn 21 prior to taking the MPOLE).
      Applicants sponsored by a law enforcement agency who will turn twenty (20) years of age prior to taking the MPOLE at the end of program are eligible to apply.
    • Must be a citizen of the United States
    • Possess a current, valid driver’s license
    • Vision in each eye must be correctable to 20/40
    • Received an “honorable” discharge or “under honorable conditions” discharge if having served in the military.
    • No disqualifying criminal history as outlined in Section 590.080.1 and Section 590.100.1, RSMo. Must be free from conviction. Must have no gross misconduct indicating inability to function as a peace officer. No Felony Conviction, SIS (Suspended Imposition of Sentence), or SES (Suspended Execution of Sentence).
  7. Schedule and complete the law enforcement applicant interview process.
    • Dates are listed in the Law Enforcement Application packet.
  8. Schedule and complete physical fitness assessment consisting of a 1-mile run, 2-minute push-ups, and 1-minute sit-ups with satisfactory results. Dates are listed in the Law Enforcement Application packet. If the applicant does not meet minimum standards, they may not be admitted. Minimum entrance standards are:
    • Sit-ups – Must be able to complete at least 10 in a minute
    • Push-ups – Must be able to complete at least 10 in two minutes
    • Complete 1-mile run (run or jog without stopping)

After acceptance and prior to the start of the program:

  • Criminal background check with satisfactory results through the Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI. The fee is set and charged by IDEMIA at the student’s expense. Information is provided after acceptance.
  • Drug Screening with satisfactory results: accepted students are drug tested prior to the start of the program and may be tested during the program. A positive drug test may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
  • Medical examination with satisfactory results (completed within 90 days before the scheduled beginning date of the program) is required after acceptance at the student’s expense.
    • Must be examined by a licensed physician (licensed to practice medicine in the State of Missouri).
    • Applicant must be physically and psychologically capable of performing the job task and licensing requirements of the law enforcement profession.
  • Attend Program Orientation – See Law Enforcement Application Packet for date.

During the program, accepted students must satisfactorily complete a physical fitness assessment.

Physical Fitness Assessment Charts are provided in the application packet. Assessments for the 1.5-mile run, 2-minute push-ups, and 1-minute sit-ups will be given at the end of the first semester with the final assessment being done at the end of the 2nd semester. Students that do not participate in the physical assessment or do not meet the basic requirements of the final physical assessment may be dismissed from the program.

The Law Enforcement certificate program is designed to assist students to acquire the skills and knowledge essential to the role of a competent peace officer.  Upon successful completion of this program, students achieve a Certificate of Achievement in Law Enforcement and are eligible to sit for the MPOLE (Missouri Peace Officer License Exam). Students have the option to take additional general education coursework to complete an Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement.

The Law Enforcement program is approved by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development and is pending approval of the Higher Learning Commission. As a new basic training center, the East Central College Phelps Law Enforcement Training Center has a probationary license from the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

Law Enforcement, Certificate of Achievement

Law Enforcement, AAS

For additional information, please contact:

  • Student Services: Admissions, Advisement, Financial Aid, & Cashier
    500 Forum Drive (at Rolla Technical Center)
    Rolla, MO 65401
    (573) 466-4100
    eccrolla@eastcentral.edu

Licensed peace officers are responsible for protecting citizens and property through crime prevention and law enforcement within a defined jurisdiction. Licensed peace officers are critical to our public safety infrastructure and enforce federal, state, and local laws. Peace officers may provide life-saving CPR, investigate and document crime scenes, interview witnesses and suspects, make arrests, testify in court, and write detailed reports.

Per the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) statewide long-term occupational projections for Missouri, police and sheriff patrol officer positions are expected to grow by 3.8% from 2020 to 2030 with an anticipated 1,157 statewide annual openings and annual salary of $56,480. MERIC’s long-term occupational projections for the Central region projects growth by 4.8% from 2020 to 2030 for police and sheriff patrol officer positions with an annual salary of $49,026.

Licensed Peace Officers find opportunities in several areas:

  • Police Officers
  • Sheriff’s Deputies
  • Bailiffs
  • Public Safety Officers for Hospitals, Colleges, and Universities
  • Detectives

Continuing Law Enforcement Education