The New Training Academy

In 1966, the Florida Highway Patrol celebrated the opening of its new training academy, located at 2908 Ridgeway Street, Tallahassee, Florida. The new three story training facility cost over $700,000 and included two classrooms, a gymnasium, an indoor firing range, administrative offices, a cafeteria, and housing accommodations for recruits.

In 1983, an additional building was added adjacent to the existing facility, creating even more room. This allowed the academy to conduct in-service schools as well as recruit schools.

In 2005, the Academy moved to a new location in Gadsden County at the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Training Center.

The 30-weeks of training involves over 1200 hours of instruction covering over 120 courses, followed by ten weeks of field training. Training materials are furnished, as well as meals and lodging, at no cost to the recruit. Students receive salary during training.

Subjects studied range from laws of arrest, search and seizure, defensive tactics and arrest techniques, as well as motor vehicle and criminal law, to name a few.

The 1st Training Academy

Upon graduation from the FHP Training Academy, troopers are assigned to a field training officer for at least ten weeks. Assignments may be made to any one of Florida’s 67 counties within the Patrol’s ten field troops.

Troopers must be willing to work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays. Stop by your local Florida Highway Patrol Station to pick up an application.