Columbus Division of Police
Regional Training Center
Regional Training Center
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Columbus Division of Police Regional Training Center |
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Training Bureau The Training Bureau is responsible for the basic training of police recruits, the advanced training of active personnel, Ordnance Units, FTO coordinators as well as overseeing the Columbus Police Reserve Program and Explorer’s Program. A December 13, 2004 ribbon cutting ceremony officially opened the first phase of the new Columbus Police Academy and Regional Training Center. Aside from traditional classrooms and lecture halls, the new 166,288 square foot main facility houses scenario rooms for experiential based training; a forensics classroom for evidence collection, preservation and processing; physical conditioning center; gymnasium; aquatic center; defensive tactics training rooms; and an auditorium that seats over 500 people. Work on future phases of the training complex will continue. The design phase for “Tac Town” and the driving components of the overall project has been completed and awaits funding for construction. The new training complex is truly a state-of-the-art facility. The Recruit Training Unit continues each year to train candidates for the police officer position. Training in many areas is provided, based on state mandated requirements and those that are specifically designed to prepare recruits for policing in Columbus. The Academy far surpasses the time required by the basic state mandated curriculum. This additional time is designed to stress the state curriculum but also to incorporate in our candidates the Division’s Core Values Initiative. Core-Values training includes the areas of self confidence, tolerance, compassion toward the citizens whom we protect and serve, strengthening our skills in personal interaction, defensive tactics, proper decision making, and professionalism. Each class is at the academy for 26 weeks. The basic curriculum covers training in the law and legal issues, handling people with special needs, cultural differences and diversity, applied behavioral science, domestic violence, juvenile crime and missing children, report writing, mobile computer use, ethics, defensive tactics and officer response to resistance, physical fitness, driving, pursuits and numerous other areas. All courses are provided to insure our candidates are prepared to face the challenges of modern law enforcement and policing today's society. These courses also prepare the recruits for the next phase of training which is done on the job by well-trained coaches called Field Training Officers. The FTO coordinators work with the Training staff to ensure recruits are provided all necessary training in each phase. The two Ordnance Units serve as the Division’s resource for all aspects of firearm skills and training. One unit works normal daytime hours while the other unit works 6:00p.m. to 4:00 a.m. Ordnance officers provide comprehensive training to recruit classes and offers numerous sessions of basic and advanced skills development for veteran officers. In addition to the basic training, the Ordnance Units conduct quarterly firearm proficiency qualifications for all officers. Ordnance personnel also coordinate and provide specialized training for the Division’s SWAT team and the Narcotics Bureau In-Tac teams. The Ordnance Units continually conduct tests on various weapons and ammunition to promote effective and safe services to the citizens of Columbus. This testing and other factors have led to a decision for the Division to transition from the issued Smith and Wesson .45 handgun to an improved handgun from Smith and Wesson, the M&P .40 caliber handgun. This transition will occur starting in late 2006 and end in 2007, with over 1800 personnel being trained in the new weapon. As noted, all sworn personnel within the Division of Police must complete four phases of firearm qualifications each year. In an effort to provide the most realistic training possible, the Ordnance Units provide Division personnel with the most up-to-date training available. Personnel are trained in NRA courses, cover and fallback shooting, simulated scenario-based training, maze navigation and more. Beyond providing in-house services, Ordnance personnel offered a variety of safety courses and demonstrations for citizens coming to the Training Academy to participate in the Citizen’s Police Academy, the Spouse Night program, and a multitude of tours. Each year, the Advanced Training Administrative and Operations Units, along with other personnel, present and/or coordinate Advanced Training for active Division personnel. Topics provided over the years have included Deadly Force and Pursuit policy changes, First Responders to hostage situations, Legal Updates, Canine Tactics; Use of the Police Helicopter; New CCW Law; Nutrition; Communication Skills; Forcible Entry Tactics; and Dealing with Suicide Bombers. The Advanced Training Administrative Unit coordinates management training for supervisory personnel through The Ohio State University's Management Advancement for the Public Service (MAPS) program. Approximately 100 students attended classes in this program. The Administrative Unit also handles the management of the Entrepreneurial Training program. This program and its fund supplement the existing training budget. This program enables the Division to sponsor training from outside vendors. Costs are subsidized by the attendance of personnel from outside agencies. A portion of the seats is kept for training Division personnel. The program also allows the Division to use the expertise of its own personnel to create courses that can be delivered to other law enforcement professionals. The Citizen's Police Academy (CPA) is another program operated through the Advanced Training section. This program began in 1993 and each year graduates students who are taught how the Division’s units work to get a better understanding of the Division of Police and its many activities and responsibilities. The students are mainly citizens who are involved in Crime Watch programs, civic associations and commissions, and other community organizations and groups. The goal of this program is to make these citizens aware of the realities of police work and how the Division functions. Graduates become ambassadors for the Division by explaining how officers serve the city to their groups, families and friends. This program continues to be refined with the aid of its participants. In addition, a Youth Citizen’s Police Academy is delivered to teenagers during the summer. Youth CPA allows teenagers to experience Division members in a positive manner while the youths are educated in the workings of the Division of Police. An alumni association of adult CPA graduates became a reality during 2004, with the assistance of an officer from the Advanced Training Operations Unit. This association provides some volunteer support to the Division. The Defensive Tactics Unit (DTU) provides and coordinates defensive tactics, secondary weapons training, and tactical training during annual re-training each year. The training sessions provided by DTU included: Tasers, Batons, Mace, Defensive Tactics Instructor Certification, and training involving the use of Simunitions® and HITMAN® suits. The Division purchased and began using tasers during 2004. The tasers were assigned to numerous units, and DTU trains all taser users. The tasers enable officers to control aggressive/resistive subjects while minimizing injuries to the officers or subjects. The taser has proven to be an effective new intermediate tool for officers. The Columbus Reserve Police is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to augment and aid the Division of Police by providing an additional source of law enforcement officers. All reserve officers are fully certified law enforcement officers with full arrest authority, but have full-time jobs other than law enforcement. The reserve police actively participate in working patrol cruisers with active officers as well as providing police services to a variety of major events such as Columbus’ “Red, White and Boom” celebration, the Columbus Marathon, the city’s “First Night” New Year’s Eve celebration and a multitude of other events. The Columbus Reserve Police routinely contributes in excess of 15,000 hours of service to the citizens of Columbus. The Columbus Police Explorers program is overseen by the Training Bureau chain of command as well. This program offers juveniles and young adults the opportunity to work with Division members in pursuit of police training and perhaps, when old enough, a position with the Division of Police. More information on the Explorers program can be found at the link on the Home page.
The below classes are open to all certified law enforcement officers who are presently employed by a law enforcement agency. A Columbus Police Officer will confirm your employment prior to your attendance. Registration for these classes will be completed by email only. If you have questions regarding any of these classes, please call the Columbus Police Training Academy at (614) 645-4800 EXT 1110. To register, please email: RegionalTraining@columbuspolice.org.
Click here for fax class registration form
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