Intended Audience: State and local law enforcement officers who may or may not be involved in traffic law enforcement

Program Focus: This program covers educational, enforcement, and reporting issues to improve officers' knowledge of and ability to enforce occupant protection laws. A significant portion of the curriculum is skill-based to provide officers with the abilities necessary to identify driving risks and to evaluate the events of a crash. The program also provides strategies for increasing occupant protection use, ranging from advocacy to managing resources. Note: National certification is not available for this course.

Program Length: The curriculum for this program consists of seven modules - three are core to the program and four are optional. The core modules require five hours of classroom time. The four optional modules are designed to stand alone, but may be combined. They are each approximately 45 minutes long.

Content: The following topics are covered in the seven modules:

• General driving risks and driving risks for law enforcement
  
  
• The six types of crashes and crash dynamics
  
  
• The cost of traffic crashes
  
  
• Correct usage of safety belts and child safety seats
  
  
• Current air bag issues
  
  
• Local occupant protection issues
  
  
• Working with community advocacy groups and the media
  

Instructional Staff: NHTSA recommends that this course be taught by law enforcement instructors who are familiar with the TOPS curriculum.

Participant Materials: Materials, such as participant manuals and handouts, are provided by the host agency.

Equipment: Teaching tools, as indicated in the instructional materials.

Room Requirements: A room large enough to comfortably seat the planned class size.

Recommended Number of Participants: Varies depending on course content selected

Cost to Host Agency: Costs vary and may include the cost of the facility, instructional team, food, audiovisual equipment, and materials.

Cost to Participants: No cost for materials; tuition, if any, is determined by the host agency.