270 R.I. Code R. 270-RICR-30-00-2.3

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 270-RICR-30-00-2.3 - Recruit Training

A. Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy Staff

1. The staff of the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy that falls under the Executive Director is made up of the following positions: Assistant Director of Operations, Basic Training Coordinator, Law Enforcement Highway Safety Coordinator, Administrative Assistant to the Director, and Adjunct Instructors.

B. Duties and Responsibilities of Academy Staff Members

1. In-Service Training Coordinator (Assistant Director of Operations): shall report directly to the Executive Director of the Academy, and is responsible for the development, management, and administration of all continuing education programs for municipal and State law enforcement agencies. This person shall also be responsible for the following:

a. Develop, implement, manage, evaluate, and administer all in-service training programs for law enforcement personnel;

b. Establish standards for entry into and exit from the Academy; develop, implement, administer and evaluate all In-Service Training/Continuing Education programs offered by the Academy;

c. Ensure the periodic review of all training programs and establish a system to assess the relevancy, efficiency, professionalism, and educational value of each training component;

d. Coordinate, supervise, and evaluate the performance of all full and part-time instructors to ensure that their conduct, capabilities, and lesson plans reflect the standards of the Academy and accepted instructional practices, and ensure collaboration for training amongst instructors, where applicable;

e. Manage and maintain in-service training budgets, schedules, and records;

f. Provide data, documentation and input into the development of grant proposals; assist in the development and administration of grant-funded training programs;

g. Provide data from the Academy to law enforcement agencies seeking and maintaining accreditation;

h. Serve as the Veterans Affairs certifying official for Veteran student benefit programs.

2. Basic Training Coordinator (Assistant Director of Basic Training): the Assistant Director of Programming shall report directly to the Executive Director of the Academy, and will be responsible for the development, management, and administration of all basic recruit training programs and those functions assigned by the Executive Director to include, but not limited to:

a. Develop long and short range plans for the Academy;

b. Develop, implement, manage, evaluate, and administer all basic recruit training programs for law enforcement personnel;

c. Perform routine analyses of curricula content to determine relevancy to objectives, and provide recommendations for adaptation or amendment;

d. Establish standards for entry into and exit from the Academy;

e. Manage and control the Academy rules and regulations;

f. Research and coordinate the implementation of work-study, internships, and other part-time personnel projects that offer personnel resources to the Academy;

g. Coordinate, supervise, and evaluate the performance of all full and part-time basic training instructors to ensure that their conduct, capabilities, and lesson plans reflect the standards of the Academy and accepted instructional practices, and ensure collaboration for training amongst instructors, where applicable;

h. Manage and maintain recruit training schedules and training records;

i. Develop, implement, and update an ongoing process of periodic inspection and evaluation of the full and part-time personnel, attendees, and administrative procedures of the Academy;

j. Direct the administration and management of Academy property, personnel and recruit records, and information systems; and develop and maintain control mechanisms for all Academy property and assets;

k. Administer disciplinary programs for recruit classes;

l. Assist with the research, development, planning and administration of grant-funded training programs;

m. Serve as the Veterans Affairs certifying official for Veteran student benefit programs;

n. Develop and supervise a professional advancement fundraising program.

3. Administrative Assistant to the Director: works under the general supervision of the Executive Director of the Academy as authorized by the Rhode Island Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training. Duties include, but are not limited to:

a. Serve as a confidential secretary/administrative assistant to the Executive Director of the Academy and the Rhode Island Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training;

b. Attend employee disciplinary proceedings, maintain notes, research and prepare written responses to labor complaints, and coordinate operations for grievance hearings;

c. Maintain confidential files; develop, maintain, and secure the medical and psychological testing reports of all recruits, in accordance with established guidelines of the Rhode Island Secretary of State and the Rhode Island General Laws;

d. Create data base files, maintain documentation, and manage all records regarding the financial transactions at the Academy, to include check disbursements, requisitions, invoices, and payment vouchers; also maintains payroll records and oversees payroll disbursements for Academy staff and instructors; plans the purchase and acquisition of all Academy office equipment and supplies;

e. Maintain, monitor, and report all personnel leave and time records, and prepares personnel forms;

f. Serves as Academy liaison to various State departments, the Community College of Rhode Island, Flanagan Campus, vendors, police departments, other state and federal law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and outside training organizations;

g. Operate as the first point of contact for the Academy to law enforcement agencies and the general public to respond to questions, provide Academy schedules, arrange appointments with training staff, and provide general information services;

h. Perform basic administrative duties to include, but not limited to, maintain website, photocopying, filing, answering phones, and execute mailings;

i. Serve as the Veterans Affairs certifying official for Veteran student benefit programs.

4. Adjunct Instructor: an individual who has been approved by the Rhode Island Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training at a specified instructor level to teach law enforcement programs.

C. Qualifications and Standards of Conduct for Instructors

1. Instructors at the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy fall into three categories:

a. Basic Level Instructor: an instructor certified by the Rhode Island Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training to teach law enforcement programs from an outline prepared by the Academy.

b. Advanced Level Instructor: an instructor certified by the Rhode Island Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training to teach law enforcement programs from an outline prepared by the Academy, and who also possesses the ability to determine course learning objectives, develop lesson plans, coordinate other instructors, and utilize results of job task analysis material.

c. Master Level Instructor: an instructor certified to perform Basic and Advance Level Instructor functions, with the added responsibilities of test development (assessment tool application), supervise instructors and support staff, organize training objectives, and assist in developing a budget for specific training programs.

2. Instructors who are certified by the Rhode Island Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training must seek renewal of their certification every three years from the date of their current level certification award. Only instructors in good standing shall be allowed to seek recertification.

3. All Instructors at the Academy shall operate according to the following rules of conduct:

a. Instructors shall always conduct themselves in an exemplary manner that will typify their position with the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy.

b. Instructors shall not us profanity, and shall not use language or demeanor that will intimidate the recruits. Instructors shall refrain from "manhandling" recruits. The only physical contact should be for safety or the instruction of a manipulative skill.

c. It shall the responsibility of instructors to thoroughly be prepared for and be familiar with their assigned topic. They shall ensure that they have prepared enough material to cover the assigned class.

d. Instructors shall be at the assigned class location with ample time to prepare the classroom and materials without undue delay in class start. It is important to start classes on time.

D. Academic Standards

1. General Standards

a. Recruits are required to read books or other materials as assigned.

b. Recruits will be tested by written or oral examination as prescribed.

c. Recruits are required to follow all instructions.

2. Graded Courses

a. The Recruits will be graded on completed assignments for each graded course of study. A graded course of study is not complete until all assignments are submitted and all requirements and standards have been met. The recruit officer's grade average shall be no less than 70%.

b. Final exams and/or projects will be given in each of the following subject areas:

(1) Criminal Law

(2) Motor Vehicle Law

(3) Crash Investigation

(4) Patrol Operations

(5) Report Writing

(6) Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault

(7) Basic Crime Scene Investigation

(8) RADAR/Laser

(9) DUI Enforcement (SFST/Breathalyzer)

3. Pass/Fail Courses

a. Certification exams and Practical Skills Assessments (PSA) are graded on a pass/fail basis. A Pass grade is equal to scoring 70%, or higher.

b. Pass / Fail and PSA courses include, but are not limited to:

(1) Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Certification

(2) Impact Weapons

(3) Firearms

(4) Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC)

(5) Role Playing

(6) Basic Water Rescue

(7) First Aid/CPR/AED

(8) Basic Water Safety

(9) Physical Training

(10) Arrest Tactics, Firearm

(11) Officer Survival

4. If a recruit fails an examination, personal skills assessment (PSA), or project he/she will be counseled, placed on academic probation, and permitted one (1) make up examination, assessment, or project. If the second attempt is failed, then the recruit will be prohibited from certification. If the Recruits should be aware that under such circumstances both the Executive Director and the agency head of their sponsoring agency will be notified of the failure (each occurrence).

5. Notebooks

a. Recruits are required to maintain a formal notebook during his/her training.

(1) Course notes, handouts, and manuals must be maintained in this notebook in order of subject.

(2) Course notes maintained in this notebook must be typed.

(3) Notebooks will be checked periodically to ensure that they are neat, complete, and organized.

6. Cheating/Plagiarism

a. Recruits shall not plagiarize or present the work of others as their own.

b. Recruits shall not cheat, or attempt to cheat, on any exam, quiz, project, or practical exercise.

c. Any cheating or plagiarism is considered grounds for suspension and/or expulsion.

E. Fitness Standards

1. The Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy shall designate a qualified trainer to administer the physical fitness assessment to determine the fitness level of a recruit to learn and perform the essential job functions of an entry-level police officer.

2. In order to learn and perform the essential job functions of an entry-level police officer, all recruits must participate fully in the physical fitness-training program.

a. Only those recruits assigned to Limited Participation Days, out on excused absences, or directed by Academy staff with the approval of the Executive Director, Assistant Director(s), or Academy Training Officer, may be excused from participation.

3. Safety must always be a main priority for all recruits and Academy staff during the Physical Training Program.

4. All Recruits must achieve a PASS grade to successfully complete the Physical Training Program. To achieve a PASS grade in the Physical Training Program, a Recruit must meet or exceed the following standards:

a. 300 Meter Run Assessment-50% of Academy recognized Cooper Norms

b. 1.5 Mile Run Assessment- 50% of Academy recognized Cooper Norms

c. Successful completion of the Academy Stage 1 (Alpha Course), a Physical Fitness Abilities Assessment, in the Job Defined standard of no greater than 3:02 (minutes/seconds)

d. Successfully completion of the Academy Stage 2 (Bravo Course), a Physical Fitness Abilities Assessment, in the Job Defined standard of no greater than 1:19 (minutes/seconds)

F. Maintenance of Student Records

1. It is the responsibility of the Executive Director to maintain all student files in the following manner:

a. Certification records must be maintained in a database with a hard copy in each class file.

b. All records and files regarding all recruits are to be stored in a secured cabinet.

c. The only person authorized other than the Executive Director and Academy staff to review or obtain any information regarding any recruit is that recruit.

(1) Any designation must be signed by the recruit, and must include the scope of information begin requested.

270 R.I. Code R. 270-RICR-30-00-2.3