Build a World-Class Police Training Pipeline at San Francisco’s Universities
Published August 18, 2025
San Francisco needs more qualified police officers. Today, just 1.3% of applicants to the SFPD academy graduate: a rate far lower than the national average of 2–5%. That’s not a mark of elite standards; it’s a warning sign. Most applicants simply aren’t prepared.
The question isn’t how to lower standards. It’s how to raise applicant quality.
The Problem: No Pathway to Policing
Right now, no San Francisco college offers a program that prepares students for careers in local law enforcement. San Francisco State, City College, and USF all lack structured pipelines. Students interested in policing have no way to build skills, get experience, or assess if law enforcement is the right path before applying.
This leaves departments overwhelmed with underprepared candidates, wasting time and money on recruits who ultimately wash out.
The Solution: Launch a LECS Program in San Francisco
Sacramento State offers a proven model: the Law Enforcement Candidate Scholars (LECS) Program. LECS prepares college juniors and seniors for the police application process and academy through a structured, rigorous curriculum. Over 500 students have graduated, with a hiring rate twice that of non-participants.
LECS combines physical training, de-escalation practice, written and oral exam prep, and scenario-based learning. Students build camaraderie, professional habits, and realistic expectations about life on the force. Those who aren’t a good fit learn that early, before costly academy dropouts.
What It Would Take
All the pieces exist to replicate LECS here:
- San Francisco State has the Criminal Justice faculty and curriculum to house the program.
- SFPD is willing to host students for training sessions.
- Students want professional career paths and local job opportunities.
What’s missing is a modest investment and political will.
Why It Matters
Launching a LECS-style program would:
- Boost the number of local, high-quality SFPD candidates.
- Help diversify the police force through targeted student outreach.
- Give students a realistic, hands-on preview of police work.
- Save city resources by reducing academy attrition.
- Build stronger community ties through early, values-driven training.
This is one way we solve the recruiting crisis, by preparing better applicants from the start.
Sample LECS Curriculum
| Course | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Orientation | Intro to the program |
| Leadership in Law Enforcement & Field Training | Ethics, tactics, and professional behavior |
| Communication & Cultural Competence | Interpersonal skills and diverse perspectives |
| Pre-employment Application Training | Application process guidance and best practices |
| PELLETB / Entry Exam Prep | Required testing for all LECS students |
| Oral Interview Training | Scenario-based mock interviews with peer and instructor feedback |
| Physical Agility Training | Obstacle courses, endurance, and strength evaluations |
| Defensive Driving & Simulations | Realistic driving practice in varied conditions |
| De-escalation & Force Options | Judgment training using real-world scenarios |
| Defensive Tactics | Arrest and control skills taught by law enforcement professionals |
| Report Writing | How to write clear, factual reports for legal and public review |
San Francisco can lead the nation in police training. Let’s build the path to get there.