Product Lines Course Offerings Course Offerings The courses listed below provide students with a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on practical exercises. Students must apply their classroom knowledge during exercises that simulate typical situations encountered on the job. These exercises often involve staff role-playing as victims, witnesses, or suspects. Active Threat Response (ATR) Instructor course is a 56-hour course designed to certify field instructors to train police officers in the safest, most effective techniques to utilize during a response to an event in progress. Instruction is focused solely on advanced tactics and weapons skills necessary to rapidly confront and successfully neutralize the attack to reduce injury and loss of life. All VHA facilities are required to have sufficient numbers of certified ATR instructors to effectively support required sustainment training for all police officers. Administrator Course is a 24-hour course designed to ensure VA police services have the ability to effectively and efficiently manage administrative functions in accordance with the inspection guide. Topics to be addressed are: RCS files, means to manage and account for employee time, basic budgeting and fiscal procedures, communication skills associated with interacting with individuals suffering from mental illness and/or anger management issues. Advanced Crime Scene Collection (Redesigned) course is a 40-hour class which affords detectives and investigators the opportunity to process crime scenes utilizing advanced technical collection and photographic equipment. Advanced Patrol Officer Course (Redesigned) is a 40-hour program that has been mandated by the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS), Office of Security & Law Enforcement and VHA leadership for all VA police officers. The course contains blocks of instruction for legal updates, verbal de-escalation skills, and VA Police & Federal law enforcement policy. VA police officers are required to attend every five years. Armorer Course is a 16-hour class that provides Armorer Training and certification as a VA Armorer. Upon completion, students are certified to conduct minor repairs, maintenance and inspections of approved agency firearms. Basic Police Officer Course is an in-residence training course held at the LETC and is 320 hours in duration with emphasis on law enforcement in a service environment. This course provides-duly appointed VA Police Officers with a specialized orientation to agency law enforcement policies and procedures; training that will ensure the proper exercise of federal statutory law enforcement authority; and, specialized training that will prepare them for situations that Page 1
involve patients or persons of diminished capacity. Conceptually, this course is designed to provide police officers with the knowledge, skills, and ability to blend their duties as law enforcement officers with the special needs of the public they serve. This course, which includes the Semi-Automatic Pistol Course, is offered to other special-mission or service-oriented federal police agencies. The scope of the Basic Police Officer Training Course encompasses agency rules, policies, and procedures for the proper exercise of law enforcement authority; those laws and rules to be enforced on VA property; general police knowledge and skills development; and, interpersonal encounter skills for dealing with situations involving people with special needs. Approximately one-fourth of the course length is devoted to interpersonal skills in dealing with situations involving people with diminished capacity. We also offer this program exclusive of meals and lodging at a reduced cost. Combined ATR/Tactical Course is an 80-hour course which combines the two previous courses of Active Threat Response and Tactical Firearms Instructor. This course is designed to certify field instructors to train police officers in the safest, most effective techniques to utilize during a response to an event in progress. Instruction is focused on advanced tactics and weapons skills necessary to rapidly confront, and successfully neutralize, the attack to reduce injury and loss of life. All VHA facilities are required to have sufficient numbers of certified ATR instructors to effectively support required sustainment training for all police officers. Crime Scene Photography is a 40-hour course intended to develop skills in preparing effective crime scene photographs. It is designed to instruct the student in the type of photographs necessary, as well as the lighting needed for good crime scene photography. This course is presented by LETC Instructors who have been certified through the Evidence Photographer s International Council (EPIC). Daily (In-Residence) Costs. This product line is generic. For example, it enables us to recover the daily costs for a student sent by the USAF for a fitness evaluation, or enables us to charge based on number of training days for students who are unable to complete full courses due to various reasons. Detective Course is an 80-hour course designed to teach students investigative methods and the laws that affect investigations. This class caters to police officers who conduct long-term and follow-up investigations. This course is appropriate for any Federal law enforcement officer in a similar role. Dispatcher Course is a 24-hour course designed to provide training to individuals performing the duties of a police dispatcher. The course will provide Page 2
instruction in such areas as National Crime Information Center (NCIC), VAPS entry and queries, communication skills and operating in a stressful environment. Evidence Custodian/Alternate Custodian Course is a mandatory course for primary and alternate evidence custodians. It is a 24-hour course designed to ensure VA police services properly manage, account for, maintain and accurately document evidence and items taken as safekeeping. It will utilize the inspection guide as a basis for establishing a firm understanding of the requirements associated with the VA s evidence program. Topics to be addressed are: evidence logs, appointment letters, completion of evidence tags, differentiation of evidence and safekeeping, transmittal of evidence, destruction/return of evidence, inventory requirements, etc. This class is mandatory for all primary and alternate evidence custodians and must be completed within one year of appointment to either position. Firearms Instructor Course is an 80-hour training course designed to train law enforcement officers to become firearms instructors in the field. The course covers such areas as learning how to teach basic marksmanship skills, use of force, weapon and equipment nomenclature. It also includes coaching skills, range management and safety. This course is one of the most comprehensive firearms instructor s courses in the law enforcement community. This course also includes VA Armorer certification. All VHA facilities require a minimum of two certified firearms instructors to maintain sustainment training requirements and qualifications. Medium and large facilities would require additional instructors depending on numbers of police FTE. Firearms Recertification course is a 40-hour block of instruction designed to recertify law enforcement officers as firearms instructors in the field. The course provides advanced training in the areas coaching basic marksmanship, use of force, legal updates, and armorer skills. Recertification required not exceeding three years from the previous certification date. Fraud/Computer Crime (Redesigned) is a 40-hour course to prepare law enforcement officers to properly protect and seize computer components which possess evidentiary value and to identify and investigate fraudulent activity common within a VA Medical Center. Ground Defense and Recovery (GDR) Instructor Course is a 64-hour class on how to properly train police officers in the use of the baton and application of unarmed defensive techniques. Students become certified in side-handle baton use after passing a skills test. All VHA facilities are required to have sufficient numbers of certified GDR instructors to effectively support required sustainment training for all police officers. Ground Defense and Recovery Instructor Recertification course is a 40-hour block of instruction designed to recertify law enforcement officers as ground defense and recovery instructors in the field. The course provides refresher Page 3
materials covering how to properly train police officers in the use of the baton and application of unarmed defensive techniques. Recertification required not exceeding three years from the previous certification date. Instructor Development (Redesigned) is a comprehensive course designed to provide the basic concepts of instruction and to increase the quality of professional law enforcement training. The goal of this course is to prepare a cadre of highly skilled instructors capable of developing and presenting effective training at their station. In addition, these instructors will be able to provide assistance to the Law Enforcement Training Center in conducting training to the Basic Police Officer Courses and other Specialty Courses. Introduction to Executive Protection is a 5-day course designed to provide police service personnel the requisite skills and knowledge to assist the Secretaries security detail when called upon. The course would consists of topics, such as: key concepts of being a member of a security detail, movements, pre-route surveys, threat assessments, driving techniques, dress and appearance and documentation. Introduction to Police Supervision is a 5-day course designed to provide police service personnel supervisory skills. The course would consists of topics, such as: situational law enforcement, customer centric communication, integrating as a member of the patient care team, and focus on de-escalation concepts to enable veterans to receive care versus enforcement of laws are emphasized. Monadnock Expandable Baton/Oleoresin Capsicum (MEB/OC)/Defensive Tactics Instructor Course: In FY 2014, we will offer a 32-hour course to certify field instructors to properly train police officers in the use of the baton, OC and application of unarmed defensive techniques. Recertification is required not to exceed three years from the previous certification date. Verbal Judo is a 16-hour course (minimum of 10 students) designed to provide police officers with verbal skills to assist in de-escalating a tense or violent situation. Three Day Mobile Training Team (MTT) Course. This course will be targeted towards dispatchers, administrators, evidence custodians and similar positions. It will be offered at a fixed price, as reflected in attachment E, per student (minimum of 10 students) plus customer reimbursement of the LETC instructors travel related expenses. Five Day MTT Course. Any of LETC s 40-hour courses will be offered at a fixed price, as reflected in attachment E, per student (minimum of 10 students) plus customer reimbursement of the LETC instructors travel related expenses. Page 4
Ten Day MTT Course. Any of LETC s 80-hour courses will be offered at a fixed price, as reflected in attachment E, per student (minimum of 10 students) plus customer reimbursement of the LETC instructors travel related expenses. Physical Security (Redesigned) course is delivered in a 40 or 80-hour block of instruction which offers students training to provide reliable physical protection of the personnel and property in healthcare and other customer service oriented environments. The 80-hour version was redesigned to include vulnerability assessment teams (VAST), predictive analyses and remediation of identified deficiencies. The skills we teach are based on attributes of professionalism, including situation/response analysis, psychology of deterrence, risk management, security tactics, and legal decision-making. Police Service Program Compliance Course is a 5-day course designed to ensure senior leadership within a VA police service have the knowledge and skills required to provide management and oversight of the critical components of a police service within a VA medical center. Topics to be covered are: evidence accountability, RCS filing system, training records management, physical security surveys/vulnerability assessments, firearms management/training, report writing and the inspection process. This course would be optional except for new VA chiefs of police or those whose most recent inspection was classified as unsatisfactory. In addition, medical center personnel such as assistant directors, who have little knowledge of managing a police but have the responsibility of overseeing this function, would be afforded the opportunity to attend this course. Supervisory Officer Training Courses (Redesigned) include 40 hours of instruction specific to leading, supervising and managing within police services. These courses provide basic training for newly appointed supervisors and more advanced training for police chiefs and other senior management personnel. Included in this two-tiered approach to managing a law enforcement program are: o First Line and Intermediate Supervisor Training o Executive Leadership Course These courses consist of classroom study on ethics, personnel management, Equal Opportunity Employment and sexual harassment, human resources, civil liability, Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, and administration of a police service. VHA police supervisors and managers are required to successfully complete this course within one year of appointment. Tactical Firearms Instructor Course is a 40-hour training course on how to properly prepare firearms instructors to instruct first responding officers on basic weapons and tactics. The course covers close quarter battle drills, tactical movement, cover and range drills, preparation set up and safety concerns, tactical operations, escalation and de-escalation of force exercises, vehicle cover ballistics, and high risk traffic stops. Page 5
Technical Surveillance Installation course is a 40-hour course designed to train detectives and investigators in the proper use of technical investigative equipment in compliance with all applicable federal legal procedures that govern both audio and video surveillance activities. Students learn the proper techniques for the operation, installation, and maintenance of devices such as body recording microphones, transmitters & receivers, and covert surveillance cameras. Traffic Accident Investigation is offered in either 40 or 80-hour options that provide students the necessary tools to learn to interpret evidence from vehicles and the roadway at the scene of a crash, describe vehicle/occupant behavior, conduct measuring/diagramming, and perform a variety of mathematical formulas that include speed calculations, skids, time, distance, and motion. Students are also taught how to properly incorporate analysis from the accident scene into a comprehensive police report. Verbal Defense in HealthCare is an 8-hour program that provides a multi-disciplinary approach to educating participants in verbal de-escalation techniques. This course utilizes classroom presentation, multi-media and role-playing scenarios to provide students with the means and capabilities to effectively communicate with disruptive individuals, set appropriate boundaries and gain voluntary compliance. The goal of this course is to increase both patient and employee satisfaction and to reduce the potential for violence and injury. The class will be capped at 30 students with a flat tuition cost of $3,500.00 for the initial day and $2,000 for any subsequent day that the course is taught during the same visit. In addition, the customer is to reimburse the LETC for the LETC instructors travel-related expenses. USAF Basic Police Officer Course is an in-residence training course at the LETC and is 200 hours in duration. The scope of the USAF BPOC encompasses Department of the Air Force (DAF) rules, policies, and procedures for the proper exercise of law enforcement authority; those laws and rules to be enforced on Air Force Installations; general police knowledge and skills development; intra and interpersonal skills; tactical firearms skills; and familiarization with Air Force and Department of Defense forms used in law enforcement. The DAF BPOC is taught to the Air Force Security Forces 3-Level Specialty Training Standard, equivalent to an active duty Security Forces Member. This is an introductory law enforcement course designed to prepare the officer to perform most tasks with assistance. The course is designed to provide students necessary entry level skills, regardless of prior experience. The objective of this course is to meet the needs of the Air Force Security Forces and their growing civilian police force by providing Department of the Air Force Police Officer students basic law enforcement training tailored to a military Page 6
installation environment; this includes Air Force Combatives, Air Force specific forms and law enforcement activities, patrol tactics and procedures, and military and civilian law familiarization. USAF Security Officer Course consists of 80 hours of practical and classroom training. Included is USAF policy, military law and jurisdiction, physical apprehension and restraint techniques and installation entry control and verbal de-escalation skills. Administrative Services The VA LETC also offers a variety of administrative products and services for field units in support of policy requirements, for pre-employment screening and credentialing. Form 0120 is used for pre-employment screening of police officer candidates. Field units complete the form and submit electronically to our administrative staff who conduct criminal history searches to determine if there are any disqualifying criminal records and to ensure candidates meet other qualification criteria. Police Officer Credentials are ordered electronically through our LETC Intranet site. Our administrative staff process requests and produce, track and ship the credential to field units as required. Annual verifications are conducted to ensure the integrity and accountability of these vital items. Silver Badges are issued to all VA police officers serving in the ranks of Officer to Deputy Chief of Police. Field units order badges electronically through our LETC Intranet site. Badge requests are processed, packaged and shipped by our administrative staff. Annual verifications are conducted to ensure the integrity and accountability of these vital items. Gold badges are issued to all VA Chiefs of Police. Field units order badges electronically through our LETC Intranet site. Badge requests are processed, packaged and shipped by our administrative staff. Annual verifications are conducted to ensure the integrity and accountability of these vital items. Special Agent Badges are issued to all Special Agents of the Office of Security and Law Enforcement. The Director of Police Services orders badges electronically through our LETC Intranet site. Badge requests are processed, packaged and shipped by our administrative staff. Annual verifications are conducted to ensure the integrity and accountability of these vital items. Page 7
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