Police Academy and Police Training: The Baltimore Police Department Academy Experience. Police training in the United States, particularly in the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), has been a subject of scrutiny and debate. My experience , I joined the force in 1980, which sheds light on the training process and its evolution over time.
In the early 1980s, the Baltimore Police Academy was a six-month program, lasting approximately 26 weeks, or 1,040 hours. The rigorous nature of the training was evident in the attrition rate: out of an initial class of 50 trainees, only 22 graduated. Most who didn’t make it through either quit or were fired, with only a few recycled to another class due to injuries. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, MeWe and other social media platforms. Listen to numerous episodes of the radio show as a free podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website or most major podcast platforms.
Rigorous Schedule and Academic Focus
The academy schedule was intense, with trainees attending classes five days a week for eight hours each day. Contrary to what some might expect, the vast majority of the training was classroom-based, focusing heavily on legal education. This included in-depth studies of state and city laws, as well as the U.S. Constitution. The curriculum also covered BPD policies and procedures, ensuring that new officers were well-versed in departmental regulations.
Beyond legal studies, the academy provided a comprehensive education in various aspects of police work. Trainees learned first aid and life-saving techniques, including how to deliver babies. The curriculum also covered crime investigation and patrol tactics for crime prevention. Importantly, the academy placed significant emphasis on interpersonal skills and community relations. Trainees received instruction in de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, psychology (with a focus on handling domestic or family disturbance calls), drug and alcohol abuse counseling, and mental and physical health diagnostics. Police Academy and Police Training: The Baltimore Police Department Academy Experience.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, MeWe, Pinterest and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news.
Physical Training and Weapons Handling.
Surprisingly, physical training and weapons handling received relatively little attention compared to the classroom work. The officer recalls that the most challenging aspect of the academy was the academic portion, which required extensive studying outside of class hours to prepare for regular tests.
Continuing Education and Annual Training
However, police training didn't end with graduation from the academy. Officers attended daily roll call training, which served as a form of continuing education and provided updates on local crime trends. Additionally, they participated in annual week-long in-service training, with four days dedicated to classroom instruction and one day for firearms qualification at the range.
Listen to Law Enforcement Talk Radio for free in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website or most major podcast platforms.
Criticism and International Comparisons
Despite this seemingly comprehensive approach, police training in the United States has faced criticism when compared to international standards. A 2015 report by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) highlighted significant gaps between U.S. police training and that of other countries. The report, titled "Transforming Police Recruit Training: 40 Guiding Principles," argued that training standards for the more than 18,000 police agencies in the U.S. were outdated, inconsistent, and often too brief. It noted an overemphasis on weapons and tactics at the expense of decision-making, communication, and critical thinking skills. Police Academy and Police Training: The Baltimore Police Department Academy Experience.
The disparity becomes apparent when comparing training duration across countries. While police training in the U.S. is typically measured in weeks, many other nations measure it in months or years. A 2018 Justice Department study found that the average length of core basic police training in the U.S. was 833 hours, or less than 22 weeks. In contrast, police recruits in Japan receive between 15 and 21 months of training, German police undergo 2.5 years of training, and in Finland, police education takes three years to complete.
State-Specific Training Durations
Within the United States, training duration varies significantly by state. As of 2020, North Carolina required the most training at 903 hours, while Mississippi mandated the least at 400 hours. Other states fall somewhere in between, with Florida requiring 620 hours, Alabama 520 hours, Tennessee 501 hours, South Carolina 480 hours, and Georgia 408 hours. The Bureau of Justice Statistics' Census of Law Enforcement Training Academies found that Georgia's training requirements were less than half the national average.
You can stay updated about this and other crime and trauma stories simply by following us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and most all social media platforms.
Structure of Police Academies
A police academy, also known as a law enforcement training center, police college, or police university, is designed to prepare cadets for their future roles in law enforcement agencies. These institutions typically offer training in legal matters, driving skills, equipment use, firearms, use of force, crisis negotiation, and de-escalation techniques. Facilities often include classrooms, vehicle courses, shooting ranges, running tracks, gyms, and sometimes dormitories and cafeterias. Police Academy and Police Training.
It's worth noting that police academies are not used exclusively by new recruits. They also serve as training grounds for sworn officers, special units like SWAT, and occasionally even civilians and non-law enforcement personnel. For instance, the Los Angeles Police Academy's range was used for the shooting event in the 1932 Summer Olympics.
Check out all of our great interviews available as a free podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or most major podcast platforms.
Requirements and Funding Implications
Police Academy and Police Training. The requirements to join a police department and attend an academy vary by jurisdiction but typically include background checks, physical and mental examinations, and criminal record checks.
In conclusion, the quality and duration of police training in the United States are directly linked to funding. As the saying goes, Americans get the police department they're willing to pay for. If citizens want to increase the amount and length of training for police recruits, they must be prepared to fund it adequately. However, recent "defund the police" policies in various parts of the country have had a negative impact on many departments, cities, counties, and states. When funding is cut, training is often the first casualty, potentially compromising the quality of law enforcement and community relations.
Learn more about policing, police academy and more about these topics. Check out all the free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms. For more updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website and various social media outlets. Police Academy and Police Training.
Attributions
