You're going about it all wrong. No need to go to any "academy" on your own since most major departments have their own anyway. You have to have minimum requirements in age, background, credit, criminal background, citizenship, school, and physical abililties.

The actual process, I've gone through it, goes something like this:

First, you have to go online and either apply online or download the application and fill it out.

Second, you'll be scheduled to take the first set of tests. If you pass those.....

Third, they'll call you in for an initial assessment where you will get an orientation and have to submit more supporting documents to go with your application, i.e. credit explanations, background explanations, references, any kind of school records, and general work history. You'll have to fill out this mondo application where they'll ask you a ton of questions. If you pass this part......

Fourth, they'll order you to take more tests. This is where they do the infamous Lie Detector test and Psych eval. If you pass this part......

Finally, you'll come in for a final verbal interview where they'll offer you either a "Cadet/Recruit" position to work at the Precint until the next Academy session comes around, or you'll still be a "Cadet/Recruit" but they happen to have hired you in time to get you into the very next Academy class.

You get paid the minute you start to work, but at a reduced rate. When you go through the Academy and get your P.O.S.T. certification, THEN you are officially a Police Officer and your initial full pay kicks in. Each department has additional requirements when you're a rookie before they let you loose on your own on the street.

The end.

I suggest that if you are really serious about pursuing this that you talk to a real LEO to get prepared, because in all honesty......you don't sound ready at all IMO. I'm just warning you because the process is not easy at all. You'd think they were hiring you for a $100k/yr job as many hoops you have to jump through, but every department does it. Smaller departments that can't afford their own Academy usually don't hire anyone that is not already P.O.S.T. certified. In other words, you have to have worked elsewhere or gotten your P.O.S.T. certification elsewhere to even apply to them. These are usually your mom and pop city departments. Nothing wrong with working there at all. Matter of fact, I'm told it's actually nice if you get in. Big departments have BIG politics. Big departments also have BIG budgets which in turn balances that politics thing out (sometimes). Gwinnett is ultra hard to get in, but you can also start with their Sherriff's Dept working at the Jail and then moving on up to the courthouse(s) detail and eventually on to other things if you want. Dekalb is not the easiest to get in either. Yes, they always advertise they want people, but they don't always accept everyone either. If I remember correctly, Gwinnett's Academy is very very good and detailed and Dekalb's is longer. Don't quote me on that because it's been a little bit since I talked to somebody about that part. If you are going to do it, do it. Don't pussy foot around. Departments hate that shit. If you want it, go get it but then don't back out at the last minute.

Go to the department's website and they'll have a ton of information under the "careers" section that will answer most if not all your questions.

Good luck.