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07/02/2025 3:52 pm

Raleigh Police Academy Training

A sneak peek into the Police Academy training

Updated: Jul 2, 2025

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Basic Recruit Academy NC BLET/Out of State Lateral Officer Academy Lateral Officer Academy (In State)

A sneak peek into the Police Academy training

Do you have what it takes to be a police officer? Take a behind-the-scenes look at Raleigh Police Department’s (RPD) Police Academy.

Watch RPD’s new video series featuring Police Academy training sessions.  

Police Academy Files: Block One

In block one of the video series, recruits begin to learn the values of being a Raleigh police officer and undergo six and a half months of basic law enforcement training, known as BLET.

Police Academy Files: Block Two

In addition to classroom and physical training, recruits learn to control a police vehicle at a high rate of speed. Additionally, in firearms training, recruits have the opportunity to learn safety, accuracy and proper handling of a firearm.

Raleigh Police Academy Files: Block Three

In block three, recruits continue their physical training and learn how to apprehend an uncooperative subject. Recruits also experience firsthand how dangerous getting pepper-sprayed can be. 

Raleigh Police Academy Files: Block Four

The final video in the series showcases the completion of Raleigh Police Academy Class 129's progress in becoming RPD officers.

Police Academy Files: Block One

Police Academy Files: Block Two

Raleigh Police Academy Files: Block Three

Raleigh Police Academy Files: Block Four

Eligibility

Two police academy sessions a year are held, and each session takes six months to complete.

There is no maximum age restriction to join RPD, but recruits must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age at the time of graduation from the Raleigh Police Academy;
  • Be a high school graduate or equivalent (GED), college or military preferred;
  • Be a United States citizen or naturalized citizen;
  • Be of good character and moral background;
  • Be a licensed driver or able to obtain a valid N.C. Driver's License;
  • Have 20/20 vision (corrected) and cannot be colorblind; and,
  • Meet background, medical, and psychological requirements.

Learn more about RPD’s hiring process. 

Basic Recruit Academy

  • 28 Weeks of Training (1,253 Hours of Instruction)
  • BLET Certification NOT Required
  • Commuter Academy (No Barracks or Overnight Stay)
  • Full Salary With Benefits Paid During Academy
  • All Equipment, Uniforms, and Books Provided at No Cost
  • Military Veterans May be Eligible to Receive VA Benefits During Academy
  • State of the Art Training Facility
  • Recruits will be BLET Certified Upon Completion of Academy (must pass the NC State Exam for Law Enforcement)

NC BLET/Out of State Lateral Officer Academy

Applicants must currently be completing a North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) course or have completed such a course within the past 12 months.
OR
Applicants possess a North Carolina Law Enforcement Certification but have less than 2 years of sworn law enforcement experience.
OR
Minimum of two years sworn law enforcement experience required.

  • 10 Weeks of Training
  • Commuter Academy (No Barracks or Overnight Stay)
  • Up to $66,124 Salary With Benefits Paid During Academy
  • All Equipment, Uniforms, and Books Provided at No Cost
  • Military Veterans May be Eligible to Receive VA Benefits During Academy
  • State of the Art Training Facility

Lateral Officer Academy (In State)

  • Must be a certified law enforcement officer in North Carolina
  • Former law enforcement officers who have a break in service of less than 12 months long can also apply
  • 5 Weeks of Training
  • Commuter Academy (No Barracks or Overnight Stay)
  • Salary and Rank based on Years of Equivalent Experience
  • Up to $66,124 Salary With Benefits Paid During Academy
  • All Equipment, Uniforms, and Books Provided at No Cost
  • Military Veterans May be Eligible to Receive VA Benefits During Academy
  • State of the Art Training Facility 
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