Training Academy
If you’re hired, you must first meet our Entrance Standards to get into the academy. Please see the video below that demonstrates the proper pushup, situp, 1.5 mile run and swimming requirements.
After meeting the entrance standards, cadets will begin approximately six months of training at the Waddill Training and Emergency Response Complex in Baton Rouge. Law enforcement cadets train Monday through Friday but may go home on weekends and holidays. Law enforcement cadets receive full state benefits and pay beginning the first day of training.
In the academy, you will receive:
- POST certification, which is required of all Louisiana law enforcement officers. POST certification consists of physical fitness, defensive tactics, firearms, state and federal laws, proper law enforcement and arrest procedures, DWI detection and apprehension, standard first aid, and other areas of law enforcement.
- Specialized training in areas consistent with that of an LDWF Law Enforcement Agent, including more intense physical fitness training, defensive tactics, firearms training, ATV operator certification, waterfowl detection and violator apprehension, wildlife forensics, wildlife and fish identification, land and water navigation, extensive boat handling, enforcement of state and federal wildlife and fisheries laws, water survival, marine theft identification, and hunter education instructor certification.
Intense physical fitness training is important for LDWF Law Enforcement Agents because of the remote and rugged areas in which they work. An agent may have to drag and paddle a pirogue, travel by boat in rough seas, ride an ATV over rough terrain, or walk a mile or more in the mud. The physical demands of being an LDWF Law Enforcement Agent require agents to remain in top physical shape.
The specialized defensive tactics and firearms training extends beyond POST-certification training to include marine environments, rural night operations, and boat operations.
Field Training
Upon graduating from the academy, cadets are assigned to a parish where they will participate in a closely supervised field training officer program. After they successfully complete this program, cadets are promoted to LDWF Law Enforcement Agents.