Training

The year 2007 saw an implementation of many changes in the area of training for our department. The department began scheduling training throughout the calendar year in order to make scheduling easier. The department had classes that were taught by in-house instructors coupled with hosting more schools in order to see more localized training.

In-house instruction was offered in areas related to Defensive Tactics, Rapid Deployment, Emergency Vehicle Operation, Range, and a host of other courses covering a wide variety of training. Our goal is to maintain a program that keeps our officers’ skills fresh.

During 2007 we also hosted a number of other schools. Those included instruction in the areas of Interview and Interrogation, Gangs, School Safety, and Motor Vehicle Theft. Our department also took advantage of training presented by other law enforcement agencies within the state and the Midwest Counter Drug Training Facility in Des Moines, along with the Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Training Facility out of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Finally, on July 9, 2007, we hired six recruits. The recruits attended 8 weeks of in-house instruction followed by 12 weeks of Standards Training in Pierre, after which they are put into a 12-week Field Training Officer program. The recruits will be through the FTO portion of their training and on their own by mid-February 2008.