Program Standards

Section 1 – Program Administration

Section 1 standards are intended to ensure the applicant organizes, staffs, and manages the training process.

1.01     If the training program is a basic law enforcement program it includes ethics training. Advisory: Potentially not applicable.

1.02     If full-time instructional staff or training facilities span multiple organizations, a written agreement/policy is in place specifying the authority and responsibilities of each party. Advisory: Potentially not applicable.

1.03     The applicant has implemented security measures specific to the program. Advisory: The intent of this standard is the focus on program-specific security measures (e.g., weapons, explosives, hazardous materials, equipment, classroom security, controlled substances, etc.).

1.04     When conducting inherently dangerous training as identified by the agency, the applicant assesses risks and prescribes the use of safety equipment and procedures to mitigate those risks. Advisory: Potentially not applicable.

1.05     Training equipment is properly maintained in accordance with organizational policy or industry standards. Advisory: None.

1.06     The applicant suspends or discontinues training activities that become hazardous due to exigent circumstances. Advisory: The intent of this standard is to address such things as inclement or adverse weather conditions, accidents, equipment failure, power outage, etc.

1.07     The applicant complies with applicable licensing and copyright laws. Advisory: None

• Curriculum content (syllabus, lesson plans and other training materials);
• A listing of all instructors and other instructional personnel indicating the actual class in which each presented or participated;
• Inclusive dates the program is conducted and actual dates and times when each segment of training occurs;
• Roster of participants in each iteration; and
• Practical evaluations and/or written examinations and keys.
• If electronic records are maintained, there are procedures for security, including access, storage of files, backup, and equipment.

Advisory: The last bullet is potentially not applicable.

1.09     The applicant maintains records for each student attending the program. At a minimum each record will include:

• If the training has prerequisites, documentation that verifies the student met all prerequisites for attending the training course;
• A complete record of the students’ training evaluations (grades, scores, final results);
• Documentation of any exceptions or waivers requested or granted to the student; and
• Documentation that verifies the student successfully completes the training course.
• If electronic records are maintained, there are procedures for security, including access, storage of files, backup, and equipment.

Advisory: The first and last bullets are potentially not applicable.

1.10     The applicant follows procedures for the physical security, management, retention, release, and destruction of training-related records. Advisory: None.

1.11     The applicant projects and tracks expenditures for the training program. Advisory: None.

1.12     If physical activity is a required part of the curriculum, the agency has a medical clearance process. Advisory: Potentially not applicable.

1.13     The applicant provides notification, adjudication, and redress for allegations of student misconduct. Advisory: None.

Section 2 – Training Staff

Section 2 standards are intended to ensure training staff receive the training and management oversight necessary to provide effective training.

2.01     The applicant provides written information and an orientation to training staff that includes:

• Agency and academy mission and vision
• Program goals and objectives
• Code of conduct
• Violations and consequences of prohibited conduct
• Organizational Structure
• Safety rules/regulations and procedures

Advisory: None.

2.02     The applicant monitors and mentors newly assigned instructors. Advisory: None.

2.03     The applicant ensures and documents that instructors receive basic instructional skills training. Advisory: None.

2.04     The applicant ensures and documents development of its instructor staff in their area of expertise through formal or informal training, operational participation, or field observation. Advisory: None.

2.05     The applicant ensures and documents development of its instructor staff in instructional facilitation through formal or informal training, operational participation, or field observation. Advisory: None.

2.06     The applicant has specific criteria and documented supervisory quality checks of instructor preparations, class preparations, and performance. Advisory: None.

2.07     When using guest presenters, the applicant ensures training quality is maintained. Advisory: Potentially not applicable.

2.08     The applicant adheres to instructor qualification guidelines for all types of instructors utilized. Advisory: None.

Section 3 – Training Development

Section 3 standards are intended to ensure training programs are developed, implemented, and reviewed using an industry-recognized systematic approach to training.

3.01     The applicant uses an archiving system to store and retrieve program and curriculum development documents. Advisory: The documents associated with each phase of the course development process are maintained with archived course development materials.

3.02     Practical evaluations and written examination question banks are developed, approved, secured, administered, and maintained for the program. Advisory: None.

3.11     The applicant reviews program-specific documents such as current agency policies, procedures and manuals, operational reports, and program-related materials. Advisory: None.

3.12     The applicant uses subject matter experts to determine:

• The tasks to be trained
• The organization/grouping of job-related tasks
• The special conditions under which tasks will be performed

Advisory: None.

3.13     The applicant defines and validates tasks in sufficient detail to derive training objectives. Advisory: None.

3.21     Learning objectives are derived from job tasks (job requirements). Advisory: A task-to-objective matrix may be used to demonstrate this relationship.

3.22      Learning objectives are sequenced to facilitate student progress from one level of skill and knowledge to another. Advisory: None.

3.23     Students are evaluated on each learning objective. All written examination questions and practical evaluation criteria are referenced to one or more learning objectives. Advisory: An objective-to-test item matrix may be used to demonstrate this relationship.

3.24     Program design documents identify instructional strategies, methodologies, and resources in sufficient detail to estimate program costs. Advisory: Documents from the analysis, design, development or evaluation phases may be used to demonstrate compliance.

3.31     Lesson plans describe learning activities in sufficient detail to ensure consistent delivery of instruction. Advisory: None.

3.32     The training program is developed with appropriate safeguards (e.g., safety and environmental) as identified by the agency. Advisory: None.

3.33     Lesson plans, training guides, and other training materials are reviewed and approved prior to their use. Advisory: None.

3.41     Prior to formal delivery of training, the program is pilot tested using a sample of the target population generating data to support evaluation and potential revision. Advisory: None.

3.51     The applicant sets the pass/fail (cut) score consistent with the purpose of the credential and the established standard of competence for the profession, occupation, role, or skill. Advisory: None

3.52     When written examinations are used, multiple versions must be available and evaluate the same objectives. Advisory: An objective-to-test item matrix is one way of showing this. Potentially not applicable.

3.53     When different versions of practical evaluations are used, the evaluated objectives must remain the same. Advisory: An objective-to-test item matrix is one way of showing this. Potentially not applicable.

3.54     The applicant conducts, compiles, and reviews student reaction surveys (Level 1 of the Kirkpatrick model or an equivalent) to identify opportunities to improve the program, instruction, support and administrative elements of the training received. Advisory: None.

3.55     The applicant reviews the results of the program's method of evaluation to identify gaps in instruction, student materials, or deficiencies in the outcomes of evaluation construction:

• When evaluation includes Written Examination(s)
• When evaluation includes Practical Evaluation(s)

Advisory: The first or second bullet is potentially not applicable.

3.56     The applicant gathers and reviews feedback (Level 3 of the Kirkpatrick model or an equivalent) from graduates and their immediate supervisors but may also include subordinates, peers, and/or others who often observe the graduates’ behavior to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Advisory: None,

3.57     Training programs are comprehensively evaluated within a five-year period to include data gathered from Levels 1-3 of the Kirkpatrick model or an equivalent. Advisory: None.

Section 4 – Training Delivery

Section 4 standards are intended to ensure processes are established and used to for effective delivery of training.

4.01     Lesson plans or equivalent training guides are followed for all instruction conducted in the program. Advisory: None.

4.02     Students have access to learning resource materials and program-related equipment and receive training in its proper use. Advisory: None.

4.03     The applicant provides appropriate training space, equipment, and materials identified in the training documents to support the program. Advisory: None.

4.04     The applicant provides an orientation to students that include:

• Course goals and objectives
• Training schedules
• Performance expectations
• Practical evaluation and/or written examination requirements
• When training is conducted in person, students receive information on fire and emergency procedures, and safety rules and regulations
• Code of conduct rules and requirements
• Disciplinary procedures

Advisory: .05 (5th bullet) is potentially not applicable.

Section 5 – Distance Learning

Section 5 standards are intended to ensure processes are established and used for effective electronic or blended training.

5.01     The program utilizes resources, platforms, instructors, and support services appropriate for distance education. Advisory: None.

5.02     The applicant provides an on-line learning orientation program that includes policies on academic integrity specific to the on-line learning. Advisory: None.

5.03     On-line courses and examinations employ appropriate protocols to verify student identity. Advisory: None.

5.04     Technical assistance is available to instructors and on-line students. Advisory: None.