Police officer Training Curriculum

POLICE OFFICER TRAINING CURRICULUM

The curriculum that is devised for a police officer is very important to the police officer and his or her success in their chosen career path. An officer's training is also very important to the community in which they serve and the department in which they work. An officer must receive training in a variety of fields to help them be a well-rounded police officer. Officers receive training in such areas as: law, community relations, firearms, vehicle driving, search and seizure, and cultural awareness. The basic curriculum that is offered to a new recruit is focused on giving the recruit the best overall training that will give him or her the tools necessary to become the best police officer they can be. I have developed a curriculum that is well rounded and covers the basic necessities a recruit needs in order to become an officer.

The recruit needs to be orientated into the world of law enforcement. Within this training I would stress the foundations of the legal system, the functions of the criminal justice system and what role the police officer plays in the criminal justice system. A recruit also needs to understand that an officer needs to handle himself or herself in a professional manner at all times and the importance of ethics and values. Ethics and values need to be ingrained into the recruit from day one so that they know how important it is for an officer to maintain their high moral and ethical standards.

Another area of importance that needs to be covered is the professional development of the recruit and the continuation of this development as a police officer. Physical conditioning and emotional health are a necessary aspect in an officer's life. An officer needs to be fit physically and mentally in order to carry out their job functions. Within this professional development, recruits would also be trained human relations and that a police officer is many times a public relations person for their department. Officers need to be able to interact well with others, co-workers and those within the community. Recruits need to know the basics of firearms safety, weapon care, the use of force and the possibilities and consequences of criminal and civil liability. Once out in the field officer need to know how to handle situation that may require use of force and to conduct themselves within the department's use of force policy.

Police officers need a good understanding of the law. Recruits need training in criminal law and civil law. Within the law training blocks, recruits would be introduced to criminal procedure and rules of evidence. Training must also include how to handle incidents with juveniles and the mentally ill and domestic violence situations.

The majority of a patrol officer's work involves traffic stops. Recruits need to be trained in all aspects of the vehicle code and highway safety. Recruits need to understand vehicle licensing, title and registration. Many officers who know the vehicle code that conduct traffic stops for minor vehicular infractions often encounter much larger criminal activity, such as finding drugs or a wanted felon.

A major area of training for the recruits is patrol procedures and operation. First, recruits would be trained in the history and importance of patrol. Next, would be orientation into pre-patrol and routine patrol procedures. Once the recruits have a good understanding of the patrol basics, then they would be introduced to patrol activities and incidents. Recruits would have practical application exercises where, under the direct supervision of instructors, they would encounter a variety of possible scenarios. Scenarios may include: traffic stops, felony traffic stops, driving into an ambush, DUI enforcement and procedures, and pursuits. Recruits would receive emergency vehicle training that would teach them how to drive in pursuits, in poor weather conditions, and overall driver safety.

Recruits need to understand the role of the patrol officer and the detective in investigations. The investigations training block would introduce the recruit to a general overview of investigations. More specialized instruction would entail: preliminary investigation, securing a crime scene, searches for evidence, and processing evidence. Recruits would also be trained in interviewing, surveillance, accident investigation and in-depth investigations. I think it is important that recruits get an understanding of what is expected of them as a first responder to a crime scene as well as the roles of the detective in investigations.

I believe communication is another area of training. Recruits need a basic understanding of the communications system, such as radio and written correspondence and emergency notifications. It is also necessary to learn proper communication skills. Officers must talk to individuals on a daily basis and they must be able to express themselves, whether