Act 120 Municipal Police Academy
Commonwealth University-Mansfield's Act 120 Municipal Police Academy is a 26-week (919 hours) course required to become a municipal police officer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Established in 1977, Mansfield’s Academy is one of only 17 pre-service municipal police academies across Pennsylvania certified by the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC).
The Police Academy is part of Commonwealth University-Mansfield's Public Safety Training Institute, a regional training center providing initial and continuing professional education for criminal justice practitioners, first responders, public safety professionals, and the public.
Mansfield’s full-time academy begins in May and concludes in November annually.
Admissions Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Possess a high school diploma or GED Equivalency.
- Must be a citizen of the United States.
- Must be free from convictions of disqualifying criminal offenses.
- Conviction - an adjudication of guilt including the imposition of a sentence.
- Disqualifying criminal offense – a criminal offense for which more than 1 year in prison can be imposed as punishment.
- Possess a valid drivers license.
- Successfully pass a physical, psychological, reading, & fitness test.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should complete the Statement of Interest form to begin the process of consideration for acceptance into the Academy.
Contact Roxy LeBlanc with questions at rleblanc@commonwealthu.edu or (570) 662-4974.
Commonwealth University’s Criminal Justice Pathway allows students to include Mansfield’s Act 120 Municipal Police Academy as part of the two-year or four-year degree programs. Through the pathway program, students will earn their Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree AND be certified as a municipal police officer upon graduation.
Commonwealth U is the only university in Pennsylvania to offer the Municipal Police Academy Curriculum as an integrated component of its A.S. and B.S. degree programs.
Total of 20 credits towards a Criminal Justice degree:
- CRJU220 Introduction to Criminal Law and Procedure (3 credits)
- CRJU340 Criminal Investigation (3 credits)
- CRJU360 Interview and Interrogation (3 credits)
- CRJU430 Topics in CJ: Advanced Law and Procedure (3 credits)
- CRJU430 Topics in CJ: Communication for Law Enforcement (3 credits)
- Exercise Science 261 (3 credits)
- Exercise Science 199 (2 credits), for CJ majors only
The Mansfield Academy features a cadre of instructors with vast knowledge of police recruit training and the criminal justice system. Our instructors include active and retired Pennsylvania State Police and Municipal Police, attorneys, educators, magistrates, and judges.
- Introduction to Law Enforcement in PA
- Laws and Criminal Procedures
- Human Relations
- Vehicle Code Enforcement
- Patrol Procedures and Operations
- Vehicle Collision Investigation
- Principles of Criminal Investigation
- Drug Law Enforcement
- Case Presentation
- Homeland Security
- Responding to Special Needs
- Emergency Operation of Patrol Vehicles
- Defensive Tactics
- Firearms
- Emergency Response Training
Cadets may live on-campus in Mansfield’s suite-style, air-conditioned residence halls throughout the duration of the academy. Mansfield’s residence halls were recognized as the #10 Best College Dorms in America according to Niche.com. Paid meal plans are not required, but are available upon request.
Because of the Mansfield Police Academy’s exceptional reputation and its network of partners, graduates enjoy a 95% job placement rate upon completion of the program. Academy graduates consistently rank among the top in Pennsylvania police academies in GPA and state certification examination scores.
Mansfield’s Academy was the first in Pennsylvania to include state-of-the-art virtual reality training in its curriculum. The immersive VR experience allows cadets to take the knowledge learned in the classroom and immediately apply it to a variety of life-like scenarios.
Cadets have the opportunity to gain more than 100 additional hours of training and certification at no additional cost. Additional training hours include certifications and microcredentials for taser, the G.L.O.V.E., OC, enhanced Community Policing Model and DEI, Introduction to the Spectrum, Medical Marijuana, and more.
| Entrance Exam (30% Cooper) | Male Standards by Age | Female Standards by Age | ||||||||
| 18-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60+ | 18-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60+ | |
| Sit-Ups (1 min reps) | 35 | 32 | 27 | 21 | 17 | 30 | 22 | 17 | 12 | 4 |
| 300-meter Run (Time) | 62.1 | 63 | 77 | 87 | 87 | 75 | 82 | 106.7 | 106.7 | 106.7 |
| Push-Ups (1 min reps) | 26 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 1.5 Mile Run | 13:15 | 13:44 | 14:34 | 15:50 | 15:50 | 15:46 | 16:42 | 17:29 | 19:10 | 19:10 |
| Cadets must maintain the 30% standards and also pass an obstacle course to graduate from the Academy. | ||||||||||
Academy costs subject to change.
| Application Fee | $30 |
| Tuition | $5,500 |
| Physical Exam (estimate) | $200 |
| Psychological Evaluation (estimate) | $200 |
| Criminal History | $10 |
| Driving Record | $10 |
| Physical Pre-Testing and Reading Test | $40 |
| Uniform Package | $300 |
| Estimated Total | $6,320 |
The Mansfield Academy enjoys a close partnership with the Emergency Response Training & Certification Association (ERTCA). ERTCA is a non-profit organization based in Mansfield, PA made up of members who are stakeholders and educators in the emergency response and communications fields.
Public Safety Training Institute
CU-Mansfield's Public Safety Training Institute is a regional training center providing initial and continuing professional education for criminal justice practitioners, first responders, public safety professionals and the public.
