Training
- LVMPD Recruit Training Academy
The LVMPD operates its own training academy—officially the LVMPD Recruit Training Academy, but referred to by members the department as 'The Academy'. New recruits are required to attend a 26-week academy. This includes those who have attended another police academy. The academy is composed of a hand-picked training staff of senior police officers who are recognized experts in multiple fields, including police academics, patrol tactics, procedure, defensive tactics/martial arts, physical fitness, and firearms skills.
The academy is headquartered at the Jerry Keller Training Facility next to the Northwest Area Command station. The first 12 weeks are held at that location. During the initial phase, the recruits' training is centered around intense physical conditioning, basic defensive tactics, and academic classroom instruction.
The remainder of the academy is located at the Mojave Training Facility adjacent to the Northeast Area Command. At this facility, the recruit's training becomes less academic-based and far more practical-application-based. The concentration of the curriculum focuses on intense defensive tactics/martial art instruction and advanced police tactics. It is also during this phase that the police recruit receives firearms training and the Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course.
The LVMPD Recruit Training Academy is nationally regarded as one of the toughest police academies in the nation, both physically and academically. The drop-out rate is roughly 35 percent.
In addition to police academics, the recruits must successfully complete a basic Spanish language program which is taught throughout the academy training.
The LVMPD runs a separate academy for corrections officer. This academy is located inside the Clark County Detention Center (CCDC). and is similar to the police academy, but somewhat shorter in duration.
On June 15, 2012, the Las Vegas Sun reported that Sheriff Doug Gillespie announced in a video release that LVMPD is instituting a hiring freeze as it faces a potential deficit of nearly $70 million in its 2013–14 budget, and that a Metro Police Corrections Academy currently under way would continue, but a Metro Police Academy scheduled for July would be canceled.
- Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP)
Upon successful completion of academy, the new officers' training continues during a 19-week Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP), during which new officer rides side-by-side with a certified Field Training Officer (FTO) who grades and evaluates the new officers.
The role of the FTO is also to train the new officer in real-world application of the skills learned at the academy in a student/master relationship. The new officer is assigned to a new FTO every three weeks for a total of six FTOs over two 'phases' (9 weeks in Phase 1, 10 weeks Phase 2). The new officer must show a measured level of skill and competency to advance through the phases.
The final three weeks FTEP are 'solo' weeks in which the new officer rides by himself or herself for at least two shifts per week under the close scrutiny of his/her final FTO. At the successful completion of the FTEP program, the new officer is transferred to his/her first duty patrol squad and is officially a police officer.
From the day the recruit enters the academy to the day he or she completes training and is a solo police officer patrolling the street is 45 weeks.
- In-Service / Continued Training and Education
The LVMPD also places emphasis on its continuing training for its sworn police officers. LVMPD officers are required to attend quarterly firearms training and re-qualifications, quarterly defensive tactics training, a vigorous annual Advanced Officer Survival Tactics course, monthly 'back-to-basics' training, various required on-line classes per year, and an additional mandatory 10 hours of new training per year selected from a list of classes offered by the LVMPD or other certified agency.
One complete shift every two weeks is also dedicated for squad-level training. This does not include special skill or specialized unit specific mandated training. The LVMPD encourages its officers to attend as much training as is possible to learn new skills and stay current with cutting-edge law enforcement techniques and tactics.
The Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) takes place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Police officers complete their initial course of training for EVOC at the academy. Commissioned officers then must re-certify every two years during an additional 10-hour EVOC course.
Motorcycle officers must initially attend and pass a three-week police Motorcycle Riders Course. They then must re-certify every six months in order to continue operating a motorcycle for duty.
- Citizen training
The department also operates two Citizen's Police Academies. One of these is a regular academy and the second is a Spanish Citizen's Police Academy.
Read more about this topic: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
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