I enrolled in the 02E Entry-Level Private Investigator course at 1st Virginia Public Safety…read moreTraining Academy in June 2025 to try and pave the way to a career after retiring from the military, and it was without a doubt the worst educational experience I have ever had. The instructor, Luis Cortes, demonstrated a complete lack of professionalism, instructional structure, and ethical conduct from the moment class began.
Here is exactly what happened:
No Real Instruction Given: The first half and only day of actual classroom time was spent listening to Luis Cortes ramble on about his past as a bodybuilder and brag about how agencies supposedly seek him out for training. Instead of teaching, he used up class time to gloat and print off a disorganized 100-page packet that we were then told to study outside of class, with no in-class teaching, review, or guidance on the material we would be tested on.
Abandonment of Classroom Responsibility: After that first day, which was on a Monday, Luis Cortes informed us we were told not to return until that Friday, essentially dismissing us from the course while still expecting us to complete a series of self-directed assignments, robbing us of the required sixty hours of classroom instruction to legitimately fulfill DCJS standards and earn a license. We were given a vague scenario (e.g., car crash) and told to generate our own investigative case file from scratch, with zero instruction on how to properly conduct interviews, draft reports, or follow legal procedures. It was the equivalent of paying nearly $500 to be told, "Figure it out on your own."
Hidden, Undisclosed Costs: On top of the $495 course fee, students were expected to pay additional, undisclosed expenses. These included using our own gas and transportation to attend civil/criminal court hearings and to go to city records offices to pay for and retrieve the original deed to our current residence. None of these required tasks were mentioned prior to enrollment, which is deceptive and unacceptable for any legitimate training program.
Unethical and Possibly Improper Behavior: During class, Luis Cortes called someone he personally knows at DCJS on their cellphone to expedite student paperwork, then told us not to tell anyone about it, explicitly admitting it could get them both in trouble. This behavior directly contradicts the "moral, legal, and ethical" standards he preached during the course. It was both hypocritical and concerning.
Unprofessional Environment: Luis Cortes made an inappropriate comment to a student that made some of us uncomfortable. The entire setting felt more like a personal vanity show than a professional learning environment. The lack of structure, lack of respect for students' time and money, and blatant disregard for proper protocol made it very clear this is not a place committed to actual education.
Bottom line: This was not a class. It was a disorganized, overpriced, self-study assignment disguised as professional training. If you're considering this academy for any certification through a class instructed by Luis Cortes, don't. You will not receive what you're paying for, and you'll likely leave frustrated, misled, and still unprepared to pass your exam or perform in the field. I have formally withdrawn, filed a complaint with DCJS, and requested a refund and permanent removal of my personal information from their system.
Save your time, your money, and your patience. This is not a legitimate learning environment. One star only because zero stars is not an option.
