The Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy (CLETA) is located 7 miles south of Glenwood Springs and offers police training. The Colorado State Patrol offers programs for both adults and youth who wish to pursue careers in government law enforcement. The Colorado Law Enforcement Officers Association (CLEOA) is a cooperative training network dedicated to furthering the professional skills of law enforcement officials throughout the state and nation.
Anyone wishing to train in law enforcement must be at least 18 years old, though some academies, such as CLETA, require you to be 21 years of age before enrolling. You must have no felony convictions or have been involved with any domestic crime within the last 15 years, and possess a valid driver's license.
Training for law enforcement within Colorado is a necessary step to entering the field with the skills you need to handle any potential emergency situation. Courses can include firearm handling and use, driving courses, arrest control tactics, community policing and some medical training in order to deal with injuries sustained in the line of duty. At CLETA, students must demonstrate an acceptable level of physical and mental capability to graduate; the Colorado State Patrol requires more than 1,000 credit hours of training before a student is qualified to become a state trooper.
Colorado's law enforcement career path offers positions such as Colorado State Trooper and Communication Officer. A law enforcement agent can also work on the Executive Security level, which involves protecting government property and officials. Homeland Security focuses its members on protecting Colorado from terrorism and recovery from natural disasters. You can also be trained to work in private companies as a bail enforcer through the Colorado Institute of Bail Enforcement.
A Colorado law enforcement agent can be called on to act even when she isn't officially on duty. Duties can include responding to roadside accidents, settling civil and domestic disputes, processing arrested criminals, monitoring the safety of premises and individuals and investigating crimes such as arson, sexual assault, burglary and fraud. Besides this active duty, a law enforcement agent is also required to handle the filing of all necessary reports concerning patrols, procedures and arrests.