The Indiana Law Enforcement Academy will begin to bill police departments $500 per student this fall.
Participation in the Academy’s 15-week basic training course is required for prospective cops, and used to be free before a change in Indiana code took effect July 1.
Academy Executive Director Rusty Goodpaster says that’s just a slice of the actual cost.
“The last time we did a study – I believe it was 2013 that we went through it – and it’s roughly about $8,500 that it costs to train a student,” he says.
Goodpaster says the Academy’s budget needed a supplement to help cover rising costs of ammunition, gasoline and food.
That means Indiana police agencies will now have to shoulder a small portion of those training expenses.
Crawfordsville Police Chief Mike Norman says compared to what the Academy pays for – such as food and housing – it’s a fair price.
“If truth were to be told, I believe that they would probably like to charge more, but they want to keep it fair,” Norman says. “They know departments are strapped as well, so I think that’s a very fair amount for 15 weeks.”
Norman says his department sends about three people to the Academy every year.
Shorter courses for town marshals, as well as prison, hospital and gaming commission police will cost $250.
The charge will apply starting with the October semester.
