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G.O. 26 LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER NUMBER: GO - 26 SUBJECT: TRAINING EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 1, 1995 REVISED: SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 1 OF 15 I. POLICY It shall be the policy of the Longwood Police Department to maintain a training function that directs the development of new skills and on-the-job training for new employees. It is also the policy of the Longwood Police Department to improve and update employees’ present skills and knowledge, to obtain re-certification of performance in high liability areas, develop specialized skills, and create an awareness of new techniques and technologies for all agency employees. II. PURPOSE A. To develop and maintain a comprehensive training program within the department by providing instruction at department level in those subjects pertinent to established methods, techniques, and procedures. B. Provide remedial training where applicable. C. Schedule department personnel to attend advanced training sessions, lectures, and seminars conducted at other institutions. III. OBJECTIVES The Training Program objectives for this department will be based on job relatedness to determine formal training requirements, what is to be learned, evaluation of the training received through testing, and the overall effectiveness of the training program as it relates to job proficiency. The department training program shall encompass all phases of training, including, but not limited to: A. In-Service Training; GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 2 OF 15 B. Roll Call Training; C. Advanced Training; D. Specialized Training; E. Field Training And Evaluation; F. Mandatory Retraining; G. Civilian Personnel Training; H. Instructor Training; I. On-The-Job Training; And J. External Training. IV. TRAINING COMMITTEE A. Organization: A training committee shall be established to review and recommend in-service, roll call, and civilian personnel training. The recommended staffing for the committee is as follows: 1. Lieutenant in charge of training (Training Coordinator) 2. All In-service Training Instructors B. Duties and Responsibilities: The department’s Training Committee shall perform the following functions. Plan and develop the annual training programs for review and approval by the Chief of Police. Formulate and publish the department’s in-service Master Training Schedule. 1. Training Coordinator: The Training Coordinator shall be responsible for the administration of the department’s training program. The coordinator’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 3 OF 15 a. Publishing yearly and monthly training schedules to include dates and times of scheduled training, training subjects, personnel to attend, designated instructor(s) and assistant instructor(s), training uniform and/or required equipment. b. Monitor attendance at department in-service training sessions, and request mandatory retraining credit for completed in-service training. c. Coordinate training programs with other law enforcement agencies, the Central Florida Criminal Justice Institute, Seminole Community College, local institutions of higher learning, and Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission representatives. d. Reporting to the Training Committee any recommendations for revisions, rescheduling, modifications or additions to the in- service Master Training Program based upon a review of new laws, court decisions, agency directives, and new methods, techniques or procedures adopted by the agency. e. Conduct periodic in-service training audits. Verifying that lesson plans are being developed and utilized, attendance is recorded, and tests are administered to measure the quality and effectiveness of instruction received. f. Maintain records of all training activities, both internal and external, involving participation by department members. Training activities shall be documented by training course and by individual participation. Training records shall include: 1. Course title and content; 2. Name(s) of participants; 3. Performance of individual participants (if applicable); and 4. Instructor(s). 2. Selection and Training of In-service Training Officers An employee applying to fill the position of In-service Training Instructor shall: GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 4 OF 15 a. Have successfully completed two years of service as a sworn law enforcement officer and all Longwood Police Department probationary periods. b. Have “Meets Standards” ratings or better on their most recent employee evaluation. c. Have been selected by an In-service Training Officer Selection Board. This board will be comprised of the Training Coordinator and three active In-service Training Instructors. d. Have successfully completed a Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) approved Instructor Techniques course. e. Successfully obtain a general instructor certification status with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement prior to applying for this position. The F.D.L.E. instructor application is available on the F.D.L.E. website. The Training Coordinator will provide guidance on the completion and submission of F.D.L.E. application if necessary. f. Should specialized training needs arise, which would most appropriately be presented by an instructor from outside the department, that instructor and his/her course material must be approved by the Chief of Police. 3. Department Training Program: a. The department’s training program will be developed from but not necessarily limited to, the following resources: 1. Inspection Reports/Audits; 2. Staff Reports/Meetings; 3. Training Committee Reports; 4. Training Evaluations/Requests; 5. Internal Affairs Investigative Reports; and 6. Statistical Reports. 7. Accreditation Requirements GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 5 OF 15 b. Instruction of training course material on behalf of the department and/or department personnel shall center on the development and maintenance of formal lesson plans. The course lesson plans shall be prepared and submitted to the Chief of Police or his designee for approval, prior to offering any training course material to an audience. Lesson plans submitted for approval shall contain the following information: 1. Course title; 2. Performance objectives for participants; 3. Course content and specific instructional techniques; 4. Method of measuring performance (if any); 5. Length of instructional period; 6. Name and Social Security Numbers of instructor(s); and 7. Written examination (if applicable). NOTE: Employees needing assistance in developing a formal lesson plan should contact the Training Coordinator for assistance. c. Lesson Plan Format: 1. Lesson plans will contain a section for approval signatures, training topic, instructor’s name(s), and dates when the training will take place. 2. Lesson plans will have a data page which will contain the course name, lesson topic, time required, instructor’s name(s), instructional goal, performance objectives, method of teaching or presentation, equipment and classroom requirements, student materials, and references. 3. The course content for the lesson plan will be presented in an outline form or any other form, which has prior approval from the Training Coordinator. The course content will be listed in a chronological order to assist the instructor with presenting the material. GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 6 OF 15 4. The lesson plan shall contain an area for notes, which will assist the instructor with presenting his/her material. C. The Training Coordinator shall maintain records of each training class administered, including the following information: 1. Course Content / Lesson Plan; 2. Names of participants; 3. If applicable, the performance of the individuals; and 4. The Instructor(s). D. The training program shall be flexible enough to allow changes in the program, to accommodate changes in personnel needs, legal requirements, operational needs, and department directives. All changes in the training program will be reflected in a revised training schedule. E. When deemed appropriate by the instructor, written examinations based upon instructional objectives shall be administered. Test questions shall be derived from the period(s) of instruction presented. A passing score of 75% is established for all written training tests administered within this agency. Persons who fail any written test shall be administered additional training in the deficient area(s) and retested within a 30-day period. Persons who fail a second like test may be subject to remedial training and/or personnel action. V. TRAINING ATTENDANCE AND MAKEUP CLASSES A. Members shall attend scheduled training classes as prescribed in the department’s annual training program. Upon posted notification, it is the responsibility of those members required to attend, to sign-up for a training class, unless their respective squad, unit, section, etc. has been specifically scheduled to attend the class. B. Any employee unable to attend a scheduled training class shall forward a memorandum, via the chain of command, to the Training Coordinator explaining their reason for not attending. If an employee fails to attend his/her scheduled class, the Training Coordinator shall forward a memo to the employee’s immediate supervisor who shall question the employee in regards to missing the class. The employee shall complete a written explanation, detailing his/her reason for failing to attend the class. The report will be returned to the Training Coordinator via the chain of command. GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 7 OF 15 C. Failure to attend a required training class, without prior approval or excused absence, shall be considered an unauthorized absence as defined in General Order 17: Employee Leave Provisions and the employee may be subject to discipline as detailed in General Order 32: Discipline. D. Make-up classes are only scheduled when necessary and shall not be viewed by members as regularly scheduled training class. Employees who fail to attend a training class without being excused, shall attend a make-up class. E. Employees will not be required to attend department training, which has been determined by his/her Division Lieutenant, to be “NOT APPLICABLE” to their current job assignment. VI. PHASES OF INTERNAL TRAINING Phases of internal training available to this agency include: A. In-Service Training The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Division of Criminal Justice Standards and Training encourage agencies to offer and conduct in-service training. Longwood Police Department members shall receive department conducted in-service training as detailed by the department’s in-service training schedule. This training may include department conducted periodic re-training, refresher training, or pre-promotional training. The in-service training shall, when necessary be converted to mandatory re-training credit as directed by Florida Department of Law Enforcement (F.D.L.E.) policy. B. Roll-Call Training Training sessions of short duration conducted prior to or after duty. Roll call training generally covers items of an immediate need-to-know nature in reference to court decision, new laws, legal updates, directive changes, new equipment procedures, or officer safety issues. Training conducted during roll call or shift briefings is designed to supplement, but not take the place of, annual retraining. This type of training should be documented by the supervisor and forwarded to the Training Coordinator on a monthly basis. C. On-The-Job Training Instructional training and skills taught to new employees by select personnel. GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 8 OF 15 D. Field Training and Evaluation 1. Entry level training program for new department members, addressing agency directives including a familiarization to the Accreditation program as contained in the agency’s policy and procedures manual. The Longwood Police Department’s field training and evaluation program is governed by a policy and procedure. 2. Unless exigent circumstances exist, trainees shall only be assigned for training to a Florida CJSTC certified, Field Training Officer. Additional training required in regards to the field training function will be arranged by the Training Coordinator. 3. Guidelines for the evaluation of trainees by the Field Training Officer (FTO) and the use of the Daily Observation Report are contained in the Field Training Officer’s manual available to each active FTO and new officer. Any additions, changes, or updates shall be authorized by the Chief of Police or his designee. E. Mandatory Retraining Is that training mandated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Division of Criminal Justice Standards and Training, for continued certification as a Florida law enforcement officer. All officers will complete their required mandatory retraining requirements to maintain their certification. F. Specialized Training 1. Is normally conducted through formal instruction approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Police Standards and Training Commission at local institutions of higher education or other designated facilities. Law Enforcement related specialized training courses are described in the Career Development section of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Standards and Training Manual. 2. Sworn personnel or civilian employees assigned to the following duties shall receive specialized training through an academy-based program or through participation in supervised on the job training, field operational and readiness exercises prior to performing in the following capacities: a. K-9 Officers; b. Field Training Officers; c. Hostage Negotiators; GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 9 OF 15 d. Explosive Ordinance Disposal; e. Breathalyzer Technician/Inspector; f. Officers assigned to utilize traffic speed measuring devices in an enforcement capacity; g. Personnel assigned the use of special purpose vehicles. (i.e. Motorcycle, bicycle, jet-ski); h. Crime Scene Technicians; i. Computer Voice Stress Analyzer examiners; j. Computer Forensics Investigator; k. Traffic Homicide Investigator; l. Evidence Custodian; and m. Officers Assigned to Recruitment Functions. 3. Specialized training is also conducted at the department level and includes, but is not limited to, the following subjects: a. Tactical firearms training and annual qualification (Duty firearms, second firearm, shotgun, rifle, M-16, off duty firearms); b. Weapons (i.e. OC/CS spray, Expandable Baton) annual refresher training; c. Defensive Tactics Training; d. Bi-Annual C.P.R. certification and First Aid refresher training; e. FCIC / NCIC Limited Access training; f. Annual Use of Force; and g. Infectious Disease and Biohazardous Materials Training. h. Legal Updates i. Annual dart-firing stun gun training GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 10 OF 15 j. Mental Health Awareness, Prevention, Mitigation and Treatment to include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder k. Motor Vehicle Pursuits G. Civilian Training 1. Civilian employees performing the following functions shall receive additional training, as follows: a. Civilian Volunteers Volunteers shall receive training as prescribed in Department General Order #28, Civilian Volunteer Program H. Management Training 1. The training coordinator provides job related training for all newly promoted first line sworn supervisors. This training program may occur prior to promotion, but it must be received no later than 12 months after appointment to a supervisory position. At a minimum, the job related training will include use of performance evaluation tools and the supervisor’s job task analysis. VII. EXTERNAL TRAINING A. Any employee desiring to enroll in an external training program shall complete a Training Request Form and forward it to their Division Lieutenant through their respective chain of command. 1. To allow timely processing, requests should be submitted to the Division Lieutenant no later than two weeks prior to the date the training begins. 2. The request will include all appropriate information including, but not necessarily limited to: a. Name of employee; b. Employees Social Security number; c. Date(s) of course; d. Title of course; GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 11 OF 15 e. Sponsor of the course; f. Cost of course; g. Location of course; h. Hours of training. 3. The Division Lieutenant shall complete his/her portion of the Training Request Form and submit any other documentation required through the chain of command for approval by the Chief of Police. 4. Upon approval by the Chief of Police, the training request shall be processed by the Chief of Police’s Administrative Assistant and returned to the Division Lieutenant. 5. The Division Lieutenant or his designee shall then forward notification to the affected employee advising of all arrangements for class attendance, including dispersal date for applicable per diem or any other related expenses. 6. Any employee enrolled for external training shall be required to attend and successfully complete the course of study or program. Any employee who fails to attend or satisfactorily complete external training without cause, shall be required to reimburse the police department training fund for the tuition paid or equivalent fees, and may also be subject to disciplinary action. 7. It shall be the employee’s responsibility to ensure that the following documentation is submitted to the Training Coordinator within five working days after returning to work: a. Two copies of the course certificate or other acceptable proof of course completion. Distribution of copies as follows: 1. Training Division’s employee file, 2. Employee’s personnel file. b. Receipts for all expenses other than meals. GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 12 OF 15 8. Travel and/or per diem expenses will be processed in accordance with City of Longwood policy 9. If the proper documentation is not submitted as required above, the Training Coordinator will forward a request for said information to the affected employee’s immediate supervisor, via the chain of command. The affected employee shall provide the proper documentation within three days of receipt of the request. 10. The Chief of Police shall be empowered to hear any special cases or extenuating circumstances and may waive the external training repayment requirement as stipulated in section 6 above. B. Accreditation Process Familiarization 1. Each member of the Longwood Police Department shall be familiar with the state law enforcement accreditation process. The Accreditation Manager shall issue memorandums, attend shift briefings and/or staff meetings to keep employees abreast of the accreditation process and its impact on the department. 2. Employees will be kept informed of the process at a minimum, during the self-assessment phase of the initial accreditation and subsequent re- accreditation, during the on-site assessment of the initial accreditation and re-accreditation. 3. Newly hired employees will be familiarized with the accreditation program. 4. If an employee is assigned to the position of accreditation manager or to the position of accreditation officer during the current accreditation cycle, they shall receive specialized accreditation manager training within one year of being appointed to the position. VIII. ADVANCED TRAINING A. Department personnel may be selected to attend advanced training institutions specializing in the law enforcement field. These institutions include, but are not limited to: 1. The F.B.I. National Academy; 2. The Southern Police Institute. GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 13 OF 15 B. Officers who are selected to attend advanced institutional training must possess, but not be limited to, the following minimum qualifications: 1. The prospective candidate will have received “meets standard” or better evaluations for the preceding three years. 2. The prospective candidate will have achieved the rank of Sergeant or above. 3. The prospective candidate will have completed any probationary period. 4. The prospective candidate will have no formal discipline on file for the two years immediately preceding the application. IX. OFFICER CERTIFICATION Once an employee is certified in a particular area, (i.e. radar, intoxilyzer, etc.) it shall be the employee’s responsibility and obligation to maintain that certification, provided the certification is applicable to the employee’s current job responsibilities and duties and must be reviewed by the employee’s supervisor. X. ORIENTATION A. All new permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees, both sworn and civilian, shall complete a new employee orientation. The employee orientation will include training through the City of Longwood Human Resource Department on city policy with regards to sexual harassment, benefits, and any other information distributed by the Human Resource Director. In addition to this, the employee will receive training on city and department organizational structure, role, purpose, goals, policy and procedure, general orders, working conditions, regulations, rights and responsibilities, collective bargaining agreement (if applicable), computer operation (if applicable), firearms qualifications (if applicable), and the accreditation process. This orientation will take place within five (5) working days of appointment. For sworn personnel the orientation will be documented on Daily Observation Reports, Field Training Sign off forms, and New Employee File Check List (Human Resource Dept. Forms). Civilian employees will have their training documented on a Civilian Employee Orientation Form (Human Resource Dept. Form). Civilian Orientation Forms will be routed to the Training Coordinator once completed. XI. REMEDIAL TRAINING A. Remedial training may be provided to an employee anytime his/her job performance has been determined to be less than acceptable. Remedial training may be scheduled for those employees who: GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 14 OF 15 1. Consistently demonstrate a lack of skill, knowledge, or ability in job-task performance. 2. When an employee personally requests remedial training in specific areas that are perceived to be a problem area in performance. 3. When formally requested by an employee’s supervisor as a matter of routine work observations, noted deficiencies or disciplinary problems that can be corrected through remedial training. B. Remedial training may consist of, but is not limited to: 1. Specific one on one training in a deficient area. 2. Training from a qualified outside source in a specified area. 3. Projects or assignments geared towards improving the employee’s performance in a deficient area. 4. Extending the duration of the officer’s field training. 5. Counseling the employee about specific deficiencies in performance. C. Prior to remedial training commencing, the affected employee will be advised of the nature of the deficiency, the type of remedial training he or she will receive, the level of proficiency expected, and the time frame for expected improvement in performance. Time frames for expected improvement will be developed on a case-by-case basis and be determined by the nature of the deficiency, material to be covered, the prescribed training method, and any extenuating circumstances noted by the Training Coordinator. D. Supervisors may provide remedial training instruction to assist employees in overcoming a noted deficiency. Remedial training shall be documented, in writing, by the supervisor. E. All requests for remedial training that are beyond the scope of the immediate supervisor’s capabilities shall be forwarded in writing to the Training Coordinator through the employee’s chain of command. F. Upon receipt of a specific request for remedial training, the Training Coordinator shall review all pertinent information and develop or recommend a remedial training strategy to the employee or the employee’s immediate supervisor. GENERAL ORDER TRAINING GO – 26 PAGE 15 OF 15 G. Failure to participate in, or respond to, remedial training may result in the employee being placed on, or an extension of, a probationary period. If circumstances warrant, the employee may also be subject to disciplinary action, which may include termination. H. All sworn officers shall be required to maintain a level of proficiency during annual firearms qualifications. Those officers who fail to attain this standard shall be remediated in accordance with the provisions as stated in department policy and procedure EPP-1 Use of Force section V.