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Brevard Police Testing Center

Serving 14 Agencies on Florida's Space Coast

The Brevard Police Testing & Selection Center (BPTC) recruits, screens, tests, and investigates applicants for law enforcement and other public safety training and employment consideration by Brevard County law enforcement and public safety agencies.

BPTC is located at the Public Safety Institute, on the Melbourne Campus of Eastern Florida State College making us easy to visit and contact about academy screening.

The Center was created by an act of the Florida Legislature in 1987 to support law enforcement agencies in Brevard in the selection and screening of entry-level law enforcement officers.

BPTC is the primary initial point-of-contact for applicants wishing to attend the Eastern Florida State College Law Enforcement Academy or apply for inclusion in the county-wide employment pool. The Brevard County Sheriff or any Brevard Police Chief may also direct their respective agencies' applicants to BPTC for screening.

BPTC is governed by a board of directors that includes the Brevard County Sheriff, Chiefs of Police, the State Attorney, and Eastern Florida State College members.

The Center also provides Equivalency of Training evaluations, assisting federal, military, and out-of-state law enforcement officers seeking to become certified as a law enforcement officer in the State of Florida.

The BPTC also is contracted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as a testing center for the computer-based State Officer Certification Exam (SOCE).

Due to the high demand for training and class size requirements, placement is limited. Beginning the BPTC's Academy Screening Process as soon as possible increases the chance of getting accepted for the class of your choice. All Law Enforcement and Corrections Academy applicants are required to pass the Physical Abilities Test (PAT). The test is challenging, timed (completion required within 6:04) and has a required qualifying score so applicants should review the requirements and prepare. Passing PAT scores are only valid for six months.

Upcoming Full-time Day Law Enforcement Academy Start Dates:
April 29, 2024
July 29, 2024
October 28, 2024

Upcoming Corrections Academy Start Date:
TBA

Have questions about screening or want to schedule the PAT?
policeinfo@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5638 or 321-433-5640

Brevard Police Testing & Selection Center
3865 North Wickham Rd.
Melbourne, FL 32935

Main Phone Numbers:
321-433-5638 
321-433-5640

James Gibbens, Director
321-433-5639
gibbensj@easternflorida.edu

Kris Boyd, Investigator 
321-433-5641
boydk@easternflorida.edu

Maria "Teri" Avina, Investigator
321-433-5642
avinat@easternflorida.edu

Listra Daniel, Office Manager
321-433-5638
daniell@easternflorida.edu

BPTC: More About What We Do

Administration & Funding

BPTC is administered through an agreement with Eastern Florida State College. BPTC is funded through a surcharge on criminal and civil fines levied in Brevard County and by user fees for testing and records checks. Because of this funding structure BPTC provides its services without additional taxpayer funding.

BPTC also pays Eastern Florida State College for office space and the cost of administration with no expenses borne by EFSC or the Florida College System.

Evaluation of Candidates

BPTC evaluates the fitness of a candidate's certification standards and background for admission to the law enforcement academy or equivalency training, but final admission to any Eastern Florida State College program is the prerogative of the college.

Applying to Eastern Florida State College's Law Enforcement Academy, or any other public safety program when a candidate is screened by the BPTC, is a separate application process that must be initiated by the candidate through EFSC.

Job Prospects

BPTC Is Not A Job Placement Service.

Successful completion of the Brevard Police Testing Center background and screening process does not guarantee employment as a law enforcement officer, nor does it guarantee an employment interview.

It is the applicant's responsibility to submit applications to the appropriate human resources office of each agency of interest, if that agency accepts applications directly.

Agency recruiters regularly review open applicant files and may choose to contact selected applicants directly; however, BPTC participating agencies are under no obligation to contact any particular applicant.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the agencies of interest to them and arrange for tours, ride-alongs, and meetings with recruiters as the agency permits.