he first step is to attend the information sessions happening on March 31 at 1 p.m., April 7 at 6 p.m., April 14 at 1 p.m., April 21 at 6 p.m., May 5 at 6 p.m., May 12 at 1 p.m., May 19 at 6 p.m. or June 2 at 6 p.m., if needed.

All sessions are conducted at the Municipal Police Training Academy at North East. After attending the information sessions, you then must apply to join the academy online at https:// apply.mercyhurst.edu/.

After submitting your application, you will be required to complete and submit the FAFSA. Then, request your high school transcript to be sent to University Admissions. You can also request your GED or any college transcripts you might have.

After sending in your transcript, you then must complete the Nelson-Denny Reading Test, which is a standardized test made to measure vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Next is the pre-academy physical fitness test, which includes sit-ups for abdominal muscular endurance, a 300-meter run for anaerobic power, push-ups for upper body muscular endurance and a 1.5 mile run for aerobic capacity.

The test is pass/fail and there will also be a final testing order, which is pass/fail as well. The final test is cumulative.

Once you have completed the pre-academy fitness test, you then must successfully complete the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, or MMPI-2. This test is used to measure adult psychopathy. It is recommended that you make an appointment for this test on a date after you take your fitness test.

You then must pass a medical examination by a licensed Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

After the medical examination comes the 10-panel drug screening. Your results of the drug screening will be mailed to you, and you must then send it in to the Academy.

When applying to the Academy, you should not have any criminal history and be able to supply a driver’s license along with your official driving record. You also have to prove your citizenship in the United States by supplying two of the following: a valid driver’s license, your Social Security Card or a passport.

All of the requirements will need to be completed by mid-June. Once you have completed all of the requirements, you will have an interview with the Academy staff.

If you are accepted into the Academy, you will be required to take classes as part of your training. Those classes can be found using this link: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/mne/academics/municipal-police-academy/programs.

A full description of the requirements to join the Municipal Police Training Academy can be found in the Application Process document. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in policing to join a top program and start the process.

“The Municipal Police Officers’ Training Academy exists to provide the police officer with quality training, motivation and a positive philosophy of understanding about our society and its value systems,” the University website notes.

Questions regarding the application process can be sent to Bill Hale, the Director of the Municipal Police Training Academy at whale@mercyhurst.edu