Basic Law Enforcement Training

Law enforcement officers go through vigorous training before they can work in the field.

Law enforcement officers have a very stressful and potentially dangerous job. From the police department to the FBI, law enforcement officials frequently encounter violent crimes and dangerous situations. They require extensive training not only in the tactics needed to survive in conflict, but also the state and federal laws that dictate how they are required to perform their duties.

Physical Training

Officers are required to meet a standard of fitness when they go into their training courses. These requirements normally involve distance running, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and vertical leaps. Trainees have a certain time period in which they must complete a certain number of repetitions in succession. This is vital not only for upholding the image that most law enforcement wishes to portray, but also because the officer may find himself or herself in a chase or fight situation where his or her fitness level could be the difference between life and death.

Firearms

Officers spend a significant amount of time on the shooting range so that they can learn to handle a wide range of weapons safely and efficiently. The types of weapons used depend on the job for which the officer is training. A regular patrol officer would mostly work with a handgun and possibly a shotgun, while SWAT officers would undergo additional training in automatic weapons and explosives. Officers work on shooting accuracy with both hands from various positions, safe handling, reloading and firing while in motion.

Investigations

Observation is one of the most important skills a law enforcement officer can have. The officer must also know what to look for in a given situation to amplify the agency's chances of solving or preventing a crime. Officers are taught how to properly respond to a crime scene. and how to correctly and legally interrogate witnesses and suspects. They also work on proper collection of evidence and proper writing of reports.

Restrain and Disable

Law enforcement officer must be knowledgeable in how to defend themselves from various threats. Martial arts and self-defense tactics are drilled frequently in law enforcement training programs. The amount of training can vary depending on what type of job responsibility the officer is likely to have, but pressure points, joint locks and proper handcuffing procedure are all commonly trained across the board.

Legal Responsibility

Training courses do not just involve fieldwork. Officers must know the state and federal laws that apply to their jobs so that they know what they can and cannot do legally while performing their job duties. Law violations could cause an officer to be fired or face criminal charges, so all officers must pass multiple written exams regarding the law and how they must conduct their duties within it.

References

• Allied Health Public Service: Law Enforcement Training Academy
• Indiana Law Enforcment Agency: Basic Training