Level of Training for Current Corrections/Detention Officers.

[MOCOP]

Just a question to you who are current Detention or Correction Officer/Deputies.

What is the length of your acadamy (if you have one) and what is the length of your FTO/OJT or whatever your agency calls it.

[Cat_Doc]

We send our cadets to the Arizona Department of Corrections Training Academy, 9 weeks. http://www.azcorrections.gov/COTA/cota.htm

After they return, they go through a 2 week internal mini-academy stressing our policies, procedures, forms, and orientation of the 1526 bed adult facility and 100 bed juvenile facility.

Then, they are placed on four months of FTO, daily and weekly observation forms similar to the deputy FTO program with similar phases and rotating FTO's for the OIT. We don’t baby them and it is not uncommon to dismiss for failing to meet satisfactory probation.

We are also housing federal prisoners and staff goes through internal advanced training for the requirements by the U.S. government on holding their prisoners. I do not know how long that training is. We have also provided office space for staff from ICE who monitor the medical and legal requirements for their prisoners.

We have an indoor firing range just outside the facility that detention and sworn share, and our detention staff have their own Range Masters, K-9 unit and Tactical Unit.

There are two fully sworn AZ Peace Officers (detective rank) on staff who investigate criminal activity inside and associated outside crimes such as smuggling, extortion, etc.

We have an intelligence unit tracking STG's and Criminal Street Gang members and they assist with proper classification when they come into the system. These guys stay in constant communication and monthly briefings with the DOC Security Threat Group investigators, State Gang Task Force and other gang intell organizations.

There is a transportation unit who also works as courtroom security when needed, and assists in high risk convoy security.

I think with the last big raise we got, our detention officers are the highest paid in the state. We have been "stealing" a lot of good officers from DOC and Sheriff Joe's jail and I noticed lately we have been getting laterals from out of state prison systems. (Interesting comment our Sheriff made concerning chain gangs, when asked if we had them. He said, "If they are bad enough to be chained up then they are not getting out of my jail.)

Because we hire at sworn standards, many of the detention officers have successfully been able to transfer over to the sworn side and they are generally damn good cops after gaining the experience in the jail.

[MOCOP]

Sounds like your Dept. is pretty locked on.

Our Academy is only 1 1/2 weeks but we have a 6 mo FTO. 4 mo active, 1 mo shadow and 1 mo call back. IMO we need at least a 4 wk Academy and FTO remain the same.

We also hold federal but it's the ICE Liaison Officers and the USMS Liaison to train new hires on the protocols, this is usually passed down to the shift Master or Senior Deputy. All J.D.'S (Jail Deputies) get post basic Taser, LTL 12 GAUGE & 37MM, and basic STG training.

The investigative / STG duties are handled by supervisors or Master Deputies.

Firearms carry and qual are available pending approval after 1 yr for nonsworn and upon appointment for sworn.

[Cat_Doc]

Sounds like your Dept. is pretty locked on.

It didn't used to be.

Real horror stories coming out of that place until the new sheriff came in and mandated the jail be raised to professional standards.

[MOCOP]

I've got a kick *** Sheriff. Any Training , any Equip the jail wants they pretty much get pending justification.

My academy was Basic Patrol Academy Go to the Jail. Heres the keys run it.;)

[GoDirectly2Jail]

The length of our jail's academy is currently 13 weeks. In July of 2008 it will be raised to 15 weeks. (and be almost a clone of the LE academy, just with a detention emphasis). The LE academy is 18 weeks.

FTO is a little ofer a month with an additional 40 hours specialized training at the start. Annual training is a minimum of 40 hours with many electing to take at least double that.

[hey co]

In Pa. our academy is 5 weeks followed by 12 months of OJT ane we are tested every 7 weeks and given objectives to complete every day. After that is another 6 months of Civil service probation. This is for PA DOC

[co1669]

When i came on the job in 1997 the academy was 3 1/2 months with 1 week OJT and 1 week firearms training .Probation is 2 years.

[nypd7748]

When i came on the job in 1997 the academy was 3 1/2 months with 1 week OJT and 1 week firearms training .Probation is 2 years.

I'm guessing you are NYC DOC judging by your icon. I think you guys are able to be verified since you have arrest powers and carry firearms. If you are interested PM me.

[tps_co]

When I came on the job I had 6 weeks at C.O Bick (the Toronto Police College) followed by 9 weeks of field training where I was literally attached to my Coach officer's hip. I couldn't even move a prisoner from one cell to another without him.

[richjorg]

California's state academy is 16 weeks. We have no formal FTO program. You pretty much hope your partner is willing to tell you what's up. We are on probation for 1 year and our apprenticeship program lasts 2 years.