New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police
               Dedicated to the Law Enforcement Manager, by Law Enforcement Managers                

The Basic Academy Class began as the original Cadet Training Academy. It wasn’t until 1982, when the Advanced Class was added to the structure of the program, that the actual title was given to the first time attendees.

The cadets who attend the first year are known as Basics. There is a limit of 100 cadets allowed into this class. Once you arrive at the Academy, you will be assigned a squad. Usually there are ten squads comprising of ten cadets. Each squad is assigned to a Staff Advisor. Only full-time certified police officers are Advisors.

As a Basic Cadet you will participate in physical training, learn how to march, and attend classes throughout the day. This is not a camp. It is a structured learning program designed to give a cadet a real Academy experience. Everything is done to promote character development and to allow a cadet to learn about general law enforcement practices.

Basic Cadets will be scored on how well they take and maintain notes from each class. There is one short pre-test and one exam. Successfully completing the Basic Class allows a cadet to attend the following year at the Advanced Academy.

The Basic Cadets not only have an Advisor, but also have an Assistant Commander assigned to the Basic Academy. The Assistant Commander for the Basic class schedules the instructors and the curriculum. This officer also sets the tone for the Basic Academy Class and oversees the program.

All three Academy levels fall out in the morning together for physical training. They also work together to keep the barracks clean. After that, the three Academies attend separate curriculums during the day and evenings. Each has its own class speaker for graduation.