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 s...

... middle of paper ...

...n of CPR or first aid. Recruits need to get the basics of these possibly life-saving techniques because it is likely they will have to use these skills at some point in their career.

The proper training in the use of firearms is a major part of a recruits training, especially due to the possible ramifications of improper use. Recruits would receive many hours of instruction about firearms safety, shooting fundamentals and range behavior. Training would also consist of practical exercises such as: range work for basic patrol (including practical pistol and shotgun), night fire familiarization, shoot – don’t shoot scenarios, and tactical skills training. Officers must continue the training they receive in the academy and must qualify on a regular basis.

I think this curriculum that I have devised is a good general education for recruits that will be entering the law enforcement world. There are many areas that must be covered in training because being a police officer requires a multitude of knowledge and skills. This curriculum covers the pertinent areas that would prepare a recruit to hit the streets as a police officer.