Becoming a Police Officer: Video Exams, Essay Exams and Police Training (page 4)

State Requirements

Most states have mandated that police officers receive training. The hours required for police recruit training vary from state to state. Generally, states require a minimum of 12 weeks of recruit police training. To assist smaller police departments, a few states allow very small police departments to hire probationary law enforcement officers, but the states require that these probationary officers successfully pass the training provided by the police academy within the first year of being hired.

Generally, medium-sized and large cities require that police recruits receive police recruit training prior to working as police officers. In addition, it is not unusual for these departments to require more training than small departments. Generally, larger departments have training requirements ranging from 22 weeks to about 18 months. Once recruit training school has been competed police recruits then have several months of field training. Field training refers to working under the supervision of a senior police officer.

Training Requirements

Police recruit training subjects are taught at police academies. The hours for the training courses vary depending on the time frame of the training facility.

A list of commonly taught courses is as follows:

Law

• United States Constitution and Bill of Rights
• State Criminal Laws
• Testifying in Court
• State and Federal Criminal Procedures
• Laws of Arrest, Search and Seizure
• Juvenile Code and Procedures
• Alcohol Beverage Control Laws
• Traffic Code
• Laws of Evidence
• Civil and Criminal Liability of Police
• Use of Force-Legal Aspects
• Civil Process
• Legal Guidelines in Interrogation

Police Patrol Procedures

• Introduction to Patrol
• Crowd Control/Chemical Agents
• Officer Survival
• Mechanics of Arrest
• Criminal Justice Information System
• DUI Recognition and Apprehension
• Vehicle Stops
• Building Searches
• Crimes in Progress Calls
• Hazardous Material Awareness Level
• Handcuffing and Search Techniques
• Occupational Protection Usage and Environment

Police Investigation Procedures

• Collecting, Recording and Protecting Physical Evidence
• Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
• Laboratory Services and Polygraphy
• Techniques of Interviews, Admissions and Statements
• Accident Investigation
• Arson Investigation
• Developing Informants
• Bomb Calls, Threats and Investigations
• Crimes against Persons
  • Assault
  • Robbery
  • Sex Crimes
  • Hostage Situations
  • Death Investigations
  • Hate-bias Crimes
  • Physical and Sexual Abuse of Children
• Crimes against Property
  • Credit Card Fraud
  • Checks and Frauds
  • Burglary
  • Theft

Human Relations

• Interpersonal Communications
  • Communication Process
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Police Professionalism
• Crisis Situations
  • Domestic Violence
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Abnormal Behavior
• Police-Community Relations
  • Crime Prevention
  • Community and PR

Demonstrable/Proficiency Areas

• Report Writing
• Defensive Tactics
• Firearms
• Fingerprinting
• Emergency Vehicle Operations
• Practical Problems in Felony Stops
• Practical Problems in Criminal Investigations
• Moot Court
• Practical Problems in Officer Survival
• Practical Problems in Crisis Intervention
• Physical Training

Medical/Emergency

• Basic First Aid
• CPR
• Infectious Diseases

Examinations

Police recruits are expected to successfully pass all course work with a minimum score of 70 percent. Most academies limit the opportunities for recruits to repeat failed exams over any of the required areas of study. Thus, the time spent at police academies is intended to be a time of intense focus and will require all recruits to prove their ability to learn the standards for carrying out the duties of policing both quickly and well.

Conduct and Behavior

Police recruits are expected to conduct themselves in a highly professional manner and to avoid problems with the law and the general public. Recruits can be dismissed from the academy for illegal, unethical or inappropriate behavior. Additionally, recruits will be expected to avoid any actions that create even the appearance of impropriety. By adhering to these rigorous educational and behavioral standards, police recruits grow to understand the high expectations that the public places upon its law enforcement officers.