New Recruits

Basic Academy Training

All full-time sworn law enforcement officers in Louisiana must successfully complete a Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) approved basic law enforcement academy.  Prior to assuming a deputy sheriff’s position with full arrest powers, all full-time St. Charles Parish deputies must attend and complete our Basic Academy Training.


The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office Training Division operates the Regional POST Training Academy, one of only 27 such academies in the state.  The Regional POST Academy consists of 12 weeks (480 hours) of basic law enforcement training. In addition to St. Charles Parish sheriff’s deputies, the Regional POST Academy accepts qualified law enforcement cadets from agencies across the state.  


A St. Charles Parish sheriff’s deputy receives approximately 1,000 hours of classroom and field training prior to being assigned to patrol duties on their own.


Training Curriculum

At the Basic Academy, cadets are provided state-of-the-art training in numerous POST-required law enforcement topics, including: 


  • Criminal Law & Procedure               
  • Traffic Services               
  • Officer Survival Skills               
  • Domestic violence
  • Ethics
  • Patrol Techniques               
  • Criminal & Juvenile Investigations
  • Firearms
  • Emergency Vehicle Operations               
  • Report writing
  • Use of Force
  • Physical Fitness Training


The next Academy (Session 2023-38) will begin on July 24, 2023.  You must currently be employed by a law enforcement agency in order to attend.  If you would like to apply, please print and fill out a Regional Cadet Academy Application and mail to:  Captain Mark Candies, 220 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway, Luling, Louisiana  70070.  Additionally, you may download and review the Cadet Handbook.