The Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program (SLETP) was first developed in 1977 to prepare seasonal park rangers to perform law enforcement in areas administered by the National Park Service. The program at Unity College is one of only nine training venues across the country. This intensive 400+ hour training program includes such topics as federal criminal law and court procedures, pistol and shotgun qualifications, emergency response driving, patrol skills, and defensive tactics. This course of study is mandatory for anyone seeking seasonal employment in National Parks as a law enforcement ranger. For more information on the SLETP program, please contact tpeabody@unity.edu.
Curriculum
The program focuses on six essential training areas:
- Legal (officer liability, federal criminal law, federal court procedures)
- Behavioral science (communications, victim witness awareness, managing abnormal behaviors)
- Enforcement techniques (bombs and explosives, crimes against property, crime scene processing and investigation)
- Enforcement operations (use of force, patrol skills, report writing)
- Law enforcement skills (firearms safety rules and regulations, judgment pistol shooting, officer response tactics)
- National Park Service specifics (cultural resource law, natural resource law, physical efficiency battery)
Outcome
Successful graduates become eligible to receive a Type II law enforcement commission after they obtain employment and successfully complete a background investigation, drug testing, and medical screening, as well as pass a physical efficiency battery. For more information, please see:
Once obtained, the Type II commission enables the bearer to carry firearms, make arrests, investigate crimes, and assist in the execution of warrants, following policies guiding seasonal law enforcement officers with the National Park Service.
Qualification Standards
Interested candidates must meet the following program prerequisites:
- Minimum age of 20 years by the end of the program
- Valid driver’s license (without restricted driving privileges)
- No felony convictions
- No convictions for domestic violence
- No history of unlawful drug usage (beyond experimental)
- No restrictive medical history or condition, including mental illness or suicidal tendencies
- U.S. citizenship
Application review will take place upon receipt of completed application materials on a first-come, first-served basis. Only 20 spots are available for qualified participants. Qualified applicants in excess of 20 will comprise a stand-by list for use in the event of a cancellation.
Accepted applicants are notified by mail in time to complete the final steps of program registration and preparation. Be certain that you meet the National Park Service Medical Standards before submitting your application and investing your time and money.
Further, begin a physical conditioning program now in preparation for the class, as a rigorous training regimen is a component of this program. It is further advisable to schedule a medical exam as soon as possible, as it is a requirement for admission into this program. Refer to the SLETP Academy Trainee Standards Handbook for detailed information about the program.
Program Costs
Participants will have two options for receiving the instructional part of the course:
- Participants may choose to complete the coursework as an undergraduate student through Unity College and will receive sixteen (16) undergraduate credits upon completion of the program. Under this scenario, tuition is $11,500 for the program/semester, plus a $1,200 instructional fee.
- Participants may choose to complete the course without receiving credit. With this option participants are not receiving any undergraduate credit from Unity College and there will be no record of course completion through Unity College. Under this scenario, there is a noncredit instructional fee of $6,000.
Room and Board Options
The student rooms are four-bedroom apartments. All students will have a private room in one of the apartments. The apartments are fully equipped for cooking including stove, refrigerator, coffee pot, toaster, utensils, place setting for four, and pots and pans, should you choose the room-only option.
There are three room and board options:
- Room with five-day meal plan—$3,500.00 (includes 3 meals a day, Monday-Friday)
- Room only—$1,500.00 (includes no meals)
- Meals only—$2,000.00 (for students living off-site)
Application Materials
This program is cooperatively operated by the National Parks Service, Schoodic Point Education and Research Center, and Unity College. Its purpose is to provide trained candidates for law enforcement positions meeting the hiring standards of the National Parks Service and other federal land management agencies.
All of the application materials are at the bottom of this page. The materials are designed to establish eligibility for the program. Prompt attention in completing all materials will assist applicants in being considered for placement in the program. Failure to thoroughly complete and expedite all application materials may result in the applicant’s rejection from further consideration.
Applicants must complete the Criminal Offense Checklist, which provides current personal background information. A criminal background check will be performed. An applicant may receive conditional program acceptance, however should the background investigation return a finding of criminal history, the applicant may be dropped from the program. Refunds are processed according to the Unity College refund policy.
Accepted applicants are notified by mail in time to complete the final steps of program registration and preparation. Be certain that you meet the National Park Service Medical Standards before submitting your application and investing your time and money.
It is further advisable to schedule a medical exam as soon as possible, as it is a requirement for admission into this program.
Forms
- Application Form (doc)
- Risk Agreement (doc)
- Criminal Offense Checklist (doc)
- Criminal History Background Check (doc)
- Medical Form (doc)
