Specialized training

[hamstring]

Hey LEO's!

Am interested to know this: While you are on the job, how does specialized training work? Specifically, I mean does a class or seminar on drugs or tactical entry come along and you have a choice to go or not? What are some things that are required for you to continue training on (like Homeland Security)? What comes along that is an option for you to participate in? Do you have to pay for non-required training? Do you realistically have the time to take a lot of additional/optional training?

I guess the reason I'm asking is if I do make it into an LEO career, I want to learn everything possible. Just the way I am, whenever I do something, I have to know every angle. The more info the better! :D I have a mind that constantly needs feeding!

Not that I care, but it would be a plus: With all of the extra certifications and specializations, is there extra income?

Thanks.

Hamstring

[mcsap]

Some training is mandatory ( legal updates, EVOC) and some is optional. Meaning that when you find out about training via email, fax, etc, you write a letter asking to go. The free classes ar the easiest ones to go to.

The Municipal Police Academy in Harrisburg, PA puts on classes all of the time. Most are free to cops, some are not. We are assigned a training day and go on duty. We don't have to wear a uniform and can take a cruiser.

Sometimes I get sent to a school that I am not totally enthused about but it beats going to a dead body call !!

[Piggy]

Most of the limitations you'll have on the classes you can attend will be your department, budget restrictions and if they can afford to have you off patrol.

Here's a link from www.officer.com if you want to see some training that is available:

http://www.officer.com/training/

[tpd_six]

Each state has different standards for how much training an officer must have to keep their certification. Here it is 40 hours a year, although most officers have at least twice that.

Our state POST puts out a catalog of available training each year. In addition, there are various training groups which offer other training, and most departments have their own instructors for certain areas.

We can request a class if we want to, doesn't mean it will be approved, but they sometimes are. Also if the department feels a certain officer needs or would benefit from certain training, they are sent.

There isn't usually any additional pay involved, we are paid our usual wage to go to the training instead of working our regular shift generally. If the training involves some certification which will result in us being utilized more or be called out, then usually overtime applies.

A lot of our training is offered free, most of it the department ends up paying for. Some of the training is very good, and officers in my department occasionally take vacation time to go if the dept. won't send them.