Training
The Manchester Police Department currently employs 122 sworn and 38 civilian personnel for a total of 158 employees. The Training Division is responsible for providing personnel with basic recruit training, mandated, advanced and specialized/advanced areas. This is accomplished through roll-call training, in-service training, the Connecticut Police Academy, FBI, professional vendors and colleges and universities around the country.
Basic Training
Once candidates are selected to be officers for the Town of Manchester, they must attend the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden. Officers reside at the academy Monday through Friday where they are taught classes in law enforcement subject matter ranging from constitutional law to domestic violence laws to personal relations to accident investigations to Intoxilyzer certification to emergency driving. In order to graduate, they must pass exams in all academic areas, achieve a 50% level on the Cooper physical fitness tests, consistently shoot a score of 80% or better on the pistol course and successfully complete an emergency driving course.
After returning to the department, officers attend a five day in-service training course in tactical firearms, night shooting, handcuffing, baton and pepper spray. Their training continues as the enter the Field Training Program for the next 14 weeks. When the F.T.O. segment is completed they become certified Law Enforcement Officers by the Police Officer Standards Training Council at the Academy.
Mandated Training
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Mandated training for the Department includes the following:
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Police Officer Re-Certification through Police Officer Standards Training Council
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Annual re-certification for the Intoxilizer 5000
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Biannual re-certification for the N.C.I.C./C.O.L.L.E.C.T. data system
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Biannual re-certification for Medical Response Technician
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OSHA required blood borne and airborne pathogens
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HAZMAT
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Telecommunications certification training for dispatchers.
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Firearms and Force Continuum training for all sworn personnel.
Advanced Training
Advanced training incorporates both professional and personal development. In order for the Police Department to provide the community with a high level of professional service, it is essential to develop its personnel by providing them advanced training in police procedures and investigations along with self enrichment skills such as effective communications and cultural awareness.
Uniformed Services Division
Many of the advanced training opportunities for patrol officers are available through P.O.S.T. free of charge. They include topics primarily in the area police techniques and investigations such as:
Supervisors
Leadership and management training for supervisors is offered through P.O.S.T.C. and several colleges throughout the country. Newly promoted supervisors attend the following programs:
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First Line Supervisor - Connecticut Police Academy, 1 week
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Institute for Police Leadership Development - Bryant College, 2 weeks
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Command Training Program - Babson College, 3 weeks
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Management College - Southwestern Law Enforcement Institute, 8 weeks
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School of Police Staff and Command - Northwestern University, 10 weeks
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Southern Police Institute - University of Louisville, 12 weeks
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National Academy - Federal Bureau of Investigation - 12 weeks
Telecommunications
Dispatchers receive their basic instruction through the Department of Public Safety in a two week Telecommunicator Certification Program. They also are certified on the N.C.I.C./C.O.L.L.E.C.T. system and attend semi-annual re-certification training. Other programs available include:
Support Services Division
Information Services Section
Training for this unit includes specialized computer training in the AS400 system and updates along with future training on a proposed regionalized system. In addition, they are responsible for training new officers the in-house data system.
Accreditation Section
This unit is responsible for keeping the department in compliance with national accreditation standards. Much of the focus is on policy development. Seminars are available at the academy for related subjects.
Training Section
One of the responsibilities of the training section is to develop officers as instructors for in-service training. This entails sending officers to Instructor Development classes and several schools in the areas of expertise. Once the schools are attended and a lesson plan is approved, the officer is certified as a Law Enforcement Instructor by P.O.S.T.C.
Command Staff
The Chief and Captains attend several conferences through the year including the National and New England International.Association of Chiefs of Police Conference. The FBI National Academy re-trainer updates are attended throughout the year and keep the Command Staff informed of current trends within the law enforcement community. P.O.S.T.C. also offers several legal updates, policy development and management level courses throughout the year.
Maintenance Division
The Maintenance Division is responsible for the buildings and fleet of the department. It is responsible for approximately fifty vehicles and forty electrically controlled intersections throughout town. To effectively perform this task, the Maintenance Division supervisor attends an annual Police Fleet Management Conference. In addition, seminars for vehicle maintenance and traffic signal maintenance and repair are attended.
Investigative Services Division
Detectives assigned to this division investigate a multitude of different types of crime. For this reason, their training is more extensive and specific. Training for this position includes:
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Basic and Advanced Interview and Interrogation for the Investigator
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Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Crime Scene Investigation
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Death Investigation
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Basic & Advanced Fingerprint Analysis
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Child Sexual/Physical Abuse
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Sexual Assaults
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Assaults
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Crime Scene photography and Video
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Forensics
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