HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 185 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-185
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 6, 2022
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SUBJECT: TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR FORT WORTH
rrn POLICE OFFICERS BY RANK
The purpose of this report is to explain the different training opportunities available for each rank in the
Fort Worth Police Department. Employees with the department have access to a significant amount of
training, ranging from entry-level awareness to professional certifications. Many courses are required by
the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) for professional advancement, with an expectation
that certain courses are to be taken at different points in an officer's career. Other courses are considered
optional and teach officers specialties beyond foundational knowledge.
TCOLE has four certification levels for peace officers: Basic Peace Officer, Intermediate Peace Officer,
Advanced Peace Officer, and Master Peace Officer. All peace officers, regardless of rank, in the State of
Texas are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing training every two years. At certain
certification levels, there are mandatory classes that must be taken every two years. These classes are
above and beyond any mandated departmental training. Additionally, the following mandated training must
occur by the designated dates for all peace officers:
• Peace Officers first licensed on or after 01/01/2011: Human Trafficking class within two years of
initial licensing date— unless the course was included in the Police Academy.
• Peace Officers first licensed on or after 01/01/2016: Canine Encounters class within two years of
initial licensing date— unless the course was included in the Police Academy.
• Peace Officers first licensed on or after 03/01/2016: Interacting with Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Drivers class within two years of licensing date — unless the course was included in the Police
Academy.
• Peace Officers first licensed on or after 04/01/2018: 40-hr Crisis Intervention Training within two
years of licensing date — unless course was included in the Police Academy.
• Peace Officers licensed prior to 01/01/2018: Civilian Interaction Training Program by 01/01/2020.
All others within two years of initial licensing date— unless course was included in the Police
Academy.
As a Basic Peace Officer, the following classes are mandated by the State of Texas every two years:
• Cultural Diversity
• Crisis Intervention
• Special Investigative Topics
• De-escalation
In order to advance to an Intermediate Peace Officer license, the following training hours, years of service,
and the classes must be completed:
Hours OR Education OR Military Service Training Credit AND Years
400 8
800 6
1200 4
2400 2
Associate's 2 Years 4
Bachelor's or hi hei 1 4 Years 2
• Child Abuse Prevention and Investigation
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Use of Force
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-185
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 6, 2022
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SUBJECT: TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR FORT WORTH
rrn POLICE OFFICERS BY RANK
• Arrest, Search, and Seizure
• Spanish for Law Enforcement
• Identity Theft
• Asset Forfeiture
• Racial Profiling
• Human Trafficking
• Crisis Intervention Training
• Interacting with Drivers Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• De-escalation Techniques
• Missing and Exploited Children
• Child Safety Check Alert List
• Canine Encounters
• Cultural Diversity
• Special Investigative Topics
In order to advance to an Advanced Peace Officer License, the following training hours, years of service,
and classes must be completed:
Hours OR Education OR Military Service Training Credit AND Years
800 12
1200 9
2400 G
Associate's degree 2 Years 5
Bachelor's or higher 4 Years 5
• Must have obtained an Intermediate Peace Officer license
• Advanced Human Trafficking
In order to advance to a Master Peace Officer License, the following training hours and years of service
must be completed:
Hours OR Education OR Military Service AND Years
Training Credit
1200 20
2400 15
3300 12
4000 10
Associate's Degree 2 Years 12
Bachelor's Degree 4 Years 9
Master's Degree 5 Years 7
Doctorate/JD 8 Years 5
• Must have obtained an Intermediate and Advanced Peace Officer License
Additionally, the Fort Worth Police Department mandates training above and beyond what TCOLE
requires throughout the year depending on the need for departmental wide training. This year, the
department requires sworn officers to attend:
• Sexual Harassment Training
• First Amendment Auditor Training
• Primary Screener/Personal Radiation Detector for sworn personnel in Patrol only
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-185
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 6, 2022
Page 3 of 6
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SUBJECT: TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR FORT WORTH
rrn POLICE OFFICERS BY RANK
• Active Shooter Training for School Resource Officers only
• Yearly control tactics/taser/firearms qualifications
As a department, we understand the importance of continued training. Our goal is to have every officer at
the Advanced Peace Officer level as soon as practical within the given timelines. Currently, there are 69
officers with a Basic Peace Officer certification (most of these officers have not met the time requirements
for an Intermediate certificate), 218 officers have an Intermediate Peace Officer certification, 254 have an
Advanced Peace Officer certification, and 899 have a Master Peace Officer certification.
In addition to the training classes offered through TCOLE, we have developed or brought in additional
training for officers to receive. Below is a list of courses by each rank that can help with professional and
leadership development throughout an officer's career. Some are mandatory, while others are highly
recommended, and officers are encouraged to attend.
Police Officer
Optional Course
• Professional Development - This course provides officers with tools and skills to further develop
and enhance their career. Some to the topics include risk management, leadership fundamentals,
resume and interview techniques, and conflict resolution.
Corporal/Detective
Mandatory Courses
• New Detective Course - This course gives new detectives and criminal investigators a
comprehensive review of their responsibilities in an investigation and the broad array of issues and
factors that must be considered as the investigation proceeds. It provides practical approaches to
overall investigations, witness interviews, suspect interrogations, and preparing a case for
successful prosecution.
• The REID Technique of Investigative Interviewing and Advanced Interrogations - This four-day
course includes Interview and Interrogation preparation, distinction between a non-confrontational
interview and interrogation, proper room arrangement, and factors affecting the subject's behavior.
This is a comprehensive course for new detectives to learn the skills needed to conduct a complete
interview/interrogation.
Optional Courses
• Front-Line Leadership for Corporals - The goal of this two-day course is to provide useful tools to
those in front-line supervisor positions to be effective leaders.
• LSI Basic Course and Advanced Workshop on SCAN (analysis of statements) - SCAN is an
effective technique for obtaining information and detecting deception strictly by means of verbal
communication. Investigators learn how to extract vital information from oral or written statements
given by suspects, witnesses, victims or informers, information which otherwise will not be obtained
by any other investigative method. The course includes training on the VIEW Questionnaire, a
useful investigative tool.
• CTK Group - This class will teach students a system of investigative interviewing on the cutting
edge of incorporating evidence-based interview and interrogation methods. This class implements
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-185
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 6, 2022
Page 4 of 6
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SUBJECT: TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR FORT WORTH
rrn POLICE OFFICERS BY RANK
a research-based approach with a foundation in cognitive interviewing, influence and persuasion,
and the strategic use of evidence. It is court-defensible and produces results.
• TCU Supervisor and Leadership in Law Enforcement - Officer & Corporal
This training is designed to develop law enforcement supervision and leadership skills to increase
professionalism. The training curriculum includes leadership theories, strategic decision-making, as
well as communication and transparency to work with other criminal justice professionals and the
community. It will integrate rigorous academics with practical law enforcement leadership
experience via training facilitated by an instructor with law enforcement experience.
Sergeant
Mandatory Courses
• Sergeant Field Training Program - The Patrol Sergeant Training Program (PSTP) is designed to
facilitate the learning process for newly promoted sergeants within the Fort Worth Police
Department. The purpose of the program is to ensure that newly promoted sergeants are capable
of adequately performing the basic job tasks and responsibilities of a sergeant assigned to the
patrol function. The training program consists of two weeks of training prior to being assigned a
patrol shift. New sergeants will be trained by experienced sergeants during the program. Upon
completion of the program, new sergeants will receive their first assignment as a patrol sergeant.
• Use of Force Analysis and Review for Supervisors — This course is designed to provide tools,
guidelines and a basic understanding on how to properly analyze use of force (UOF) incidents.
The course covers updated case law, liability protection. departmental policy and processes and
analysis techniques.
• Sergeant Leadership Development — This one-day course, designed for newly promoted
sergeants, focuses on enhancing leadership skills and how to apply them in a team environment.
Communication, risk management, use of force, report writing, leadership fundamentals and team
development are discussed.
Optional Courses
• FBI LEEDA - Supervisor School - The FBI LEEDA Supervisor Leadership Institute is a cutting-edge
four-and-a-half-day program built especially for supervisors and middle managers with the goal of
enhancing their leadership competencies. The Supervisor Leadership Institute faculty members
are senior law enforcement leaders who are committed to passing on their lessons learned.
Attendees will be engaged in personality diagnostics, leadership case studies, mentoring,
developing personnel, performance management, risk management, and credibility. This institute
is student-centered and rich in facilitated dialogue and group work.
• Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command - Sergeant and Above
SPSC is an intensive ten-week police management and leadership program that helps prepare
mid- and upper-level personnel for senior command positions. Whether on-ground or online, SPSC
combines academic principles with practical applications and focuses on a range of critical
leadership and management areas, including planning and policies, media relations, organizational
behavior, budgeting and resource allocation, human resources, and contemporary policing. Our
expert instructors not only teach the important topics, concepts, and strategies necessary for
leadership and managerial success, but they also discuss how to implement these strategies
effectively, apply the concepts, and lead situations where the problems are real and agency
performance outcomes are critical.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-185
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 6, 2022
Page 5 of 6
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SUBJECT: TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR FORT WORTH
rrn POLICE OFFICERS BY RANK
• TCU LEAD - Sergeant and Above - LEAD is the first professional law enforcement development
program of its kind in our area offering twelve graduate-level college credit hours. All classes are
held locally on the TCU campus or at a nearby law enforcement facility for one full academic year
(two semesters, fall and spring). LEAD was designed to be convenient and practical for working
law enforcement professionals. This highly selective program is specifically tailored for current
leaders with proven abilities and emerging leaders who have demonstrated exceptional potential.
• Southern Police Institute - Sergeant and Above - The Administrative Officers Course is a twelve-
week (480 hour) in-residence, accredited college-level educational program. The course curriculum
is designed to develop informed, effective, ethically and technically competent law enforcement
managers who are capable of assuming positions of leadership in their respective agencies. It is
an appropriate course for individuals in or about to be promoted to middle and upper management
positions. This comprehensive development program provides instruction in law enforcement
issues, diagnostic problem solving, and administrative law. The varied methods of instruction used
by the faculty permit participants to engage their individual creativity and initiative through the
analytical examination of issues and problems faced by contemporary law enforcement executives.
Lieutenant
Mandatory Degree/Course
• Associate degree — Lieutenants are required to complete at least 60 hours of college credit or
achieve an associate degree from an accredited college within 48 months of promotion in order to
maintain the rank.
• Use of Force Analysis and Review for Supervisors — See Sergeant section.
Optional Courses
• FBI LEEDA - Command School - The FBI-LEEDA Command Leadership Institute is a dynamic,
intensive and challenging four-and-a-half-day program specifically and uniquely designed to
prepare law enforcement leaders for command-level positions. The Command Leadership
Institute's focus is to provide real-life contemporary, best-practice strategies and techniques for
those aspiring to command-level assignments. Command Institute faculty members are passionate
instructors who have executive-level law enforcement and leadership experience. Command
Leadership Institute students are engaged in such topics as credibility, command discipline and
liability, dealing with problem employees, and leading change within an organization. The
Command Leadership Institute is student-centered with a high degree of student involvement.
• Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command - Sergeant and Above — See Sergeant section.
• TCU LEAD - Sergeant and Above — See Sergeant section.
• Southern Police Institute - Sergeant and Above — See Sergeant section.
• FBI National Academy - Lieutenant and Above - Each year the Fort Worth Police Department is
allotted one position to attend the FBI National Academy. The ten-week program is offered four
times each year, usually in January, March, July, and October. The program provides coursework
in intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral
science, law enforcement communication, and forensic science. It serves to improve the
administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad and to raise law
enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-185
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 6, 2022
Page 6 of 6
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SUBJECT: TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR FORT WORTH
rrn POLICE OFFICERS BY RANK
Captain
Mandatory Degree
• Bachelor's Degree - Captains are required to obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited
college within 60 months of promotion in order to maintain the rank.
Optional Courses
• FBI LEEDA - Executive School - This innovative four-and-a-half-day program is designed for
executive level law enforcement leaders and focuses on the emerging challenges facing our
profession. This highly interactive program follows the FBI-LEEDA "Cops Talking to Cops" model
of professional development. The seminar uses a wide range of source material and calls upon
participants' own professional experiences to facilitate individual development and learning.
• Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command - Sergeant and Above —See Sergeant section.
• TCU LEAD - Sergeant and Above — See Sergeant section.
• Southern Police Institute - Sergeant and Above — See Sergeant section.
• FBI National Academy - Lieutenant and Above — See Lieutenant section.
Appointed Ranks: Commanders, Deputy Chiefs, and Assistant Chiefs
Mandatory Degree
• Bachelor's Degree - Captains are required to obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited
college within 60 months of promotion in order to maintain the rank.
Optional Courses
• Commander Development Course — This course covers higher-level leadership and management
guidelines. Command level leadership skills, risk management, community engagement, officer
wellness and development, administrative oversight and departmental liability are some of the
topics covered.
• Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command - Sergeant and Above — See Sergeant section.
• TCU LEAD - Sergeant and Above — See Sergeant section.
• Southern Police Institute - Sergeant and Above — See Sergeant section.
• FBI National Academy - Lieutenant and Above — See Lieutenant section.
If you have any questions about this information, please contact Executive Assistant Police Chief Robert
Alldredge at robert.alldredge@fortworthtexas.gov or 817-392-4131.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS