What level of training do new officers receive, and what ongoing training is required for all officers?

Every new officer must attend a Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Council Certified academy and complete 408 hours of certified training to receive his/her Basic Law Enforcement Certification.  In addition to the State’s basic training requirement, ACCPD puts every officer through advanced in-house training during its New Officer Basic Course (NOBC).  This advanced training is about 200 hours that focuses on crisis intervention, implicit bias, de-escalation, domestic violence response, and community-oriented policing. It includes a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) module, Fair and Impartial Policing, and Integrating Communication Assessment and Tactics (ICAT).  New officers are also required to complete 15 weeks of field training with an experienced and trained Training Officer.  For its field training, ACCPD uses the Police Training Officer (PTO) model that was recommended by the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing because it focuses on developing advanced problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills.  In total, every officer receives over 1200 hours of training before being released to perform law enforcement duties on his/her own.

ACCPD officers are also required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of P.O.S.T. Certified training each calendar year.  Although many of our officer complete 50 or more hours yearly in a variety of advanced topics on law enforcement.  As part of their yearly requirement, officers must complete training specifically in de-escalation, community-oriented policing, use of force, and firearms.  

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1. What is the Athens-Clarke County Pre-Arrest Diversion (PAD) Program? Is it a "get out of jail free" card?
2. What is the process for hiring police officers?
3. What level of training do new officers receive, and what ongoing training is required for all officers?
4. What ACCPD's position on First Amendment demonstrations?
5. How does ACCPD engage with our community?
6. How can community members learn more about the police department?
7. What general resources are available regarding ACCPD's approach to policing, use of force, and accountability?