The average police academy in Florida lasts 22 weeks. The academy's first half is spent in the classroom where recruits learn about criminal justice, state laws, and department policies. The second part of the academy is dedicated to physical training. This includes learning practical skills such as self-defense, firearms training, and emergency vehicle operation. After the academy is completed, recruits are eligible to be certified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The requirements of each agency will determine the length of a police academy. Some agencies may require additional training in areas such as cultural sensitivity and crowd control. Broward County Sheriff's Office requires six weeks more training than the 22-week state-mandated. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office also has its own academy, which lasts 28 weeks. This agency requires that recruits have 60 credits in college before they can begin the academy. This is significantly more than the state's minimum requirement. Although they can be very demanding, police academies are an essential step towards becoming a Florida law enforcement officer. The training provided to recruits prepares them for the dangers and challenges they will face while on the job. Successfully completing the academy demonstrates that recruits have what it takes in order to protect and serve their communities as police officers.