Class Details

Additional Information Origins and History Upcoming Class Dates Attendance Requirements Rules of Conduct Class Syllabus Class Descriptions Questions and Answers APD Volunteer Program Print an Application for Postal Mail Request an Application via E-mail Related CPA links

Communications/911
Learn how roughly 91 to 100 9-1-1 and Radio operators handle nearly half a million calls for service! (2002 actuals = 397,058). Listen to an actual 911 call. Operators and supervisors of the Communications center will amaze you with their statistics. Learn about the Telephone Reporting Unit (TRU) and how it can be the best method for reporting many routine incidents. Learn about how calls for service are prioritized and the difference between a burglary and a robbery.

Recruiting and Selection
The staff of the Recruiting office explain the entrance requirements for attending the APD Training Academy. Physical, mental abilities and other requirements are explained in some detail. Some interesting statistics are given concerning what it takes to complete the training!

Patrol/Traffic/Bike/Horse Units
Learn how the various units within APD share the responsibility for the wide variety of duties and services that they perform. Learn about the "EXTRA" requirements necessary to belong to any specialized units.

Use of Force
Officers explain about the use of force in police situations. You will be taught about the use of the Reactive Control Model (RCM), and how a cooperative suspect in a seemingly benign situation can become a threat to the officer, the public, or both in the blink of an eye! Learn how the circumstances of a stop/arrest affect how the officer handles the situation. Are there weapons present? Is the suspect known to exhibit violent behavior? Is the suspect an "NFL Line Backer" type, or of fairly average stature?

Arrest and Control
Find out how an officer arriving on the scene takes control of the situation! Why were the officers called in the first place? Was it a crime in progress? Was it to place someone into protective custody? Was it to serve an arrest warrant? What should you do if YOU are stopped? Some Do's and Don'ts of stumbling into a crime scene. There is also a class participation activity in which students are invited to learn baton techniques with an officer/instructor in a special suit.

Internal Affairs
Learn about the job of having to investigate your fellow officers! What happens to officer and Department morale. Why are officers put on administrative leave following a police shooting?

D.W.I.
If you think you know something about the D.W.I. problem around here, then this class is definitely for you! Find out what the statistics mean in real terms and see first hand what happens to someone who drinks too much. Class volunteers are given the opportunity to drink during the class, given a field sobriety test, and are given a breath analysis test. All volunteers MUST be of legal drinking age and have a designated driver present to participate in this activity.

Canine Unit
Meet with actual officers who work with Police Service Dogs. Find out what is involved in the selection and training process for these dogs, as well as the somewhat surprising dollar amount involved! Did you know that the officers must be familiar with commands in a foreign language in order to work and issue commands to them? Learn why this is done.

Anti-Crime Team/S.W.A.T.
The function of the Anti-Crime Team is very important. Find out what this specialized unit does, the types of situations in which they are called to assist, and the special training all members must have. You may also be surprised to find out that a large percentage of all their activations are resolved through negotiation rather than the use of force.

Crisis Intervention Team
The Crisis Intervention Team's goal is to minimize the use of force in situations that otherwise might demand force. They deal with those elements of our society that exhibit chronic behavior patterns that may pose risks to themselves or others. They also work closely with the mental health care provider network to help identify deficiencies in our health care programs. Learn how they work to accomplish these objectives.

Domestic Violence
If the fact that in 2002, there were 16,000 Domestic Violence calls placed to APD surprises you, then you will be interested in this class. Knowing what to expect when arriving on the scene of a Domestic Violence call can mean the difference between life and death, not only for the Officer, but possibly for those involved.

Juvenile Probation
Juvenile Probation Officers will educate you about some of the types of problems encountered with the youth of the Duke City. You may be surprised to learn the daily cost of maintaining a single juvenile in jail.

Gangs
Officers from the APD Gang Unit will present some startling stats on the nature and scope of the gang problem in Albuquerque. Who they are, where they come from, etc. See how young they start the gang life, and how some gang members never leave the fold. Learn about gang "wannabe's" and how to tell the difference between true gang bangers and graffiti taggers.

Narcotics
Officers from the Narcotics Unit will show you actual samples taken during local drug busts: heroin, crack, pot, etc. You will learn how to tell one from the other. Find out the alarming statistics about the explosive growth in the manufacture and use of something called methamphetamines.

Criminalistics
Criminalistics investigators will amaze you with the tools and techniques used in the science of modern crime investigation. You may get to view some crime scene investigation photographs.

Field Invesitgations
Find out what goes on at a crime scene. You will be shown what field investigators look for at a crime scene and how clues are gleaned from the most insignificant findings. There may also be an opportunity to take a tour of the Mobile Crime Lab van.

Violent Crimes
In this class, you will find out some of what makes the truely violent criminal offenders mind's tick. What does it take to work with these kinds of special cases?

Vice
This is actually one of the more lively discussions in the class. Unfortunately, it is also one of the more sobering ones as well! Too many young people never get to be older citizens due to choosing to live a life on the streets and turning to prostitution. Find out how the vice officers tackle this illegal activity, and why certain times of the year are busier than others.

CrimeStoppers
Representatives from Crime Stoppers tell you what you can do to avoid becoming a statistic. How to safeguard your home, car, and other property is discussed.

Please submit comments or questions to Officer Gerald Sandoval, CPA Coordinator, at (505) 343-5009