CIVICA SoHo is proud to partner with the Homestead Police Department to provide students with an authentic, career-focused Criminal Justice Academy experience. Through this partnership, students will have opportunities to engage in hands-on learning experiences, including field trips, demonstrations, guest speakers, and career exploration activities with law enforcement professionals. Experiences may include visits to local law enforcement agencies, the Homestead Police Department, public safety facilities, courtrooms, correctional institutions, communications centers, and other criminal justice organizations.

Our Criminal Justice Academy is built upon the principles of honor, integrity, leadership, service, accountability, and respect. The program is designed to mirror the expectations of a professional law enforcement academy. Students and parents should understand that enrollment in this academy is a commitment to maintaining high academic, behavioral, and professional standards.

Students are expected to demonstrate professionalism in their appearance, conduct, attendance, communication, and the quality of the work they submit. As future public servants and leaders, Criminal Justice Academy students will be held to standards that reflect the values of the profession they aspire to join.

Physical Training (PT)

As part of the Criminal Justice Academy curriculum, students will participate in Physical Training (PT) on a regular basis. PT activities may include running, push-ups, circuit training, team-building exercises, fitness challenges, and other physical activities designed to improve strength, endurance, discipline, and teamwork while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Participation in Physical Training is an important component of the academy and contributes to students' overall course performance. Students are expected to participate unless they have a documented medical exemption.

Students will be excused from Physical Training only upon submission of documentation from a licensed medical professional, which will be maintained in the student's school file. Notes from parents or guardians cannot be accepted in place of medical documentation.

Through our partnership with the Homestead Police Department, students will gain valuable insight into the physical, mental, and ethical expectations required of today's law enforcement professionals while developing the character, leadership, and resilience necessary for success in criminal justice careers.

M/J Career Exploration of Criminal Justice Occupations 8400310 7th grade

The purpose of this course is to give students initial exposure to the skills and attitudes associated with a broad range of occupations relating to careers in health, including job requirements and tasks performed, to assist students in making informed decisions regarding their future academic and occupational goals.

Criminal Justice Operations I 891801001 9th grade

This course is to introduce the student to the history, goals, and career opportunities in the Criminal Justice Profession. It also covers ethics and professionalism, constitutional and criminal laws, court and trial process, juvenile justice system, and the correctional system. Students will also be instructed on personal, interpersonal, and communication skills as well as demonstrate employability skills. 

Criminal Justice Operations II 891802001 10th grade

This course is to introduce the student to the characteristics and procedures of patrol, complete written reports, and crime prevention programs. Students will also describe guidelines for Use-of-Force; perform CPR/ first aid techniques, and procedures to protect from Blood-Borne pathogens.

Criminal Justice Operations III 891803001 11th grade

This course is to introduce the student to the crime scene safety, conducting criminal investigations, conducting forensic processing, and complete property control procedures.

Public Service Education-Directed Study 8900410JT 12th grade

The course will focused on the students completing a Miami-Dade College

Parking Enforcement and Public Service Aide certification.

PSA: Public Service Aide Certification

Police Service Aides (PSAs) are primarily assigned to duties within the police station. PSAs will be responsible for all aspects of the care and processing from intake to discharge of persons taken into custody. This includes, but is not limited to, using lockup and detention area computer software; routine inspections for cleanliness, headcount and contraband; finger and palm printing; processing of court documents such as warrants, inventory and security of prisoner personal property, rostering, prisoner intake screening including the evaluation of medical and mental conditions and requirements; appearance and testimony in various courts; interact with arresting officers of this and other agencies; interact with supervisors; confirm warrants with other agencies. The PSAs will process complaints, take reports in compliance with field based reporting procedures, operate various computer software and hardware; process and file documents including the confirmation of warrants; operate LEIN devices; retrieve and process records of all types; answer and direct incoming telephone calls; make voice broadcasts over police radio equipment; intake, inventory, process and release evidence; receive and process motor vehicle accident reports; perform vehicle inspections, impoundments, and inventories. PSAs will perform other related duties as assigned.