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54th Entry Level Law Enforcement Class

Week one of the Basic Law Enforcement Class includes a detailed orientation of what is expected of students while attending the academy. This is followed by 3 full days of criminal law, PT, PT Test, inspections and concludes Monday with the First test.

Week 2 starts with the first test covering orientation and criminal law. The students receive course material on court systems, use of force, motor vehicle code, patrol techniques, community policing and start there regular PT daily sessions.

Week 3 includes numerous blocks of instruction to include communications, developing criminal intelligence, crime information systems, surveillance techniques, incident based reporting and law enforcement professionalism.

Week 4 includes a huge dose of Constitutional Law (approx. 32 hours). The students also have blocks of instruction on animal complaints, diplomatic immunity and child and elder abuse and lets not forget physical training which heads to the hills.

Week 5 includes a myriad of topics to include fingerprints, emergency childbirth, hazardous materials, crime prevention, noise violations, malicious mischief, crime scenes and evidence, and a crime scene practical. They will also take their second shot at the PT and physical abilities tests.

Week 6 starts with numerous investigative blocks of instruction. The students then learn the basics of a traffic stop and vehicle search techniques and end the week with blocks on sex crimes, gambling violations and street gangs.

Week 7 is devoted to traffic direction, and traffic accident investigation. The students will be given a practical exercise and must fully investigate a traffic accident.

Week 8 is used to teach the students the proper techniques to install and use radar. They will also be exposed to practical exercises to estimate speed and properly display the use of a radar unit. The last day is used for the classroom portion of firearms.

Week 9 is dedicated to firearms training. The recruits will use training tools and exercises to help them learn weapons assembly/ dis assembly, weapons cleaning, operation, ballistics, home safety, and quick draw techniques before going to the range to qualify on mandated courses.

Week 10 begins with instruction on domestic violence, first aid, CPR, and criminal investigations. The end of the week begins the physically demanding block of instruction on defensive tactics.

Week 11 is devoted to defensive tactics. The students are taught techniques in takedowns, vehicle extractions, weapons takeaways, escapes, ground fighting and active countermeasures. The recruits also cover searching, handcuffing and transporting prisoners.

Week 12 is back to the classroom to re-coup and cover interview and interrogation, court testimony, cultural diversity, civil liabilities, victim witness program, weapons violations, and investigations into assaults, murder, and suicide. The recruits also take their 3rd PT and physical ability tests.

Week 13 begins with juvenile offenders, and police K-9. The students then move to intermediate weapons and crowd control. The students also learn the proper use of the baton and take a full exposure to chemical spray.

Week 14 covers areas to include controlled substances, mental illness and emotionally disturbed persons. The students then learn how to detect a person driving under the influence and the steps taken to make an arrest and secure a conviction.

Week 15 begins with the incident command system implemented to assist police, fire and rescue in large multi-jurisdictional incidents. The end of the week we shift gears literally into vehicle operations.

Week 16 is dedicated to vehicle operations. The recruits cover pursuit,night driving and cover emergency response driving and liability issues. 95% of this week involves practical driving scenarios.

Week 17 begins the portion of the academy where every aspect is tied together. The students begin receiving instruction on officer survival to include surviving edged weapons, response to an active shooter, mental survival, hostage situations, react to ambush and foot pursuits.

Week 18 again focuses on officer survival including close quarters battle, night vision, handcuffing and search and felony vehicle stops. The recruits begin the practical testing on their officer survival skills.

Week 19 is mentally and physically challenging. This week involves practical testing on all skills developed during the academy and focuses on officer survival. The recruits are put in stressful high risk situations and expected to respond properly.

Week 20 begins with practical testing on interview and interrogation, courtroom testimony, domestic situations, investigations and obtaining warrants. Then the recruits begin practicing for graduation and officially becoming Police Officers. Congrats to all the new officers.

47th Entry Level Jailor/Court Services Class

Week one of the Basic Jail Civil Process Class includes a detailed orientation of what is expected of students while attending the academy. This is followed by P.T. Test, inspections and concludes Monday with the first test.

Week 2 includes the first test on Monday followed by course material on ethics, stress management, jail history, court systems, work release, report writing, and communication skills. The recruits also begin daily PT.

The 3rd week of the Jailor/Court Services Class includes instruction in daily workings of the jail and how to book an inmate into the jail.

Week 4 covers topics including Code of Virginia, civil liability, rules of evidence, juvenile law and not to forget physical training which heads to the hills.

Week 5 begins with 4th Amendment issues, special populations and suicide prevention.

Week 6 includes training in courtroom security and civil process. They must also participate in a practical exercise to demonstrate knowledge in this area.

Week 7 is devoted to practical excercises in transpotation, booking and cell searches. The recruits will also learn about use of force, first aid and CPR.

Week 8 is devoted to Intermediate Weapons. This involves O.C. Spray, Riot Baton and Impact weapons.

Week 10 is devoted to driver training and the basics of defensive tactics.

Week 12 may be used once new mandated training comes out.

Training Courses

This course covered two weeks of intense training. Both the students and the instructors did an outstanding job in making this a very successful course.

This course was instructed by a (LEBA) Law Enforcement Bicycle Association certified instructor and is designed to teach new bicycle patrol officers the basics of riding a bicycle under patrol condition, basic maintenance, and other bicycle-related skills. This was a very physically demanding course and everyone was able to successfully complete the week.

Violent attacks in schools, businesses and public places continue to rise, and national terrorism alerts remain in the headlines. Law enforcement agencies across the country are seeking to develop new tactics, policies and awareness programs to deal with active shooter situations. The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) mission is to teach law enforcement officers, specifically the true first responders, to safely and effectively respond to - address - and stop an active shooter.

This was a physically demanding week that was well received by all students despite the inclement weather conditions. Topics covered included combat shooting, immediate action/rapid deployment, building search, high risk vehicle stops and takedowns, wooded terrain and K-9 searches.

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