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Police Officer Training Process
Non-certified police officers will initially be assigned to the police academy for Basic Police Recruit School training conducted at the Santa Fe Community College's Institute of Public Safety. The Police Academy is a 16 week course, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. During this program, officers learn criminal and constitutional law, firearms skills, patrol tactics, defensive driving, investigative techniques, domestic violence investigations, human diversity, and other related subjects. After successful completion of the Basic Police Recruit Academy, non-certified police officers must take and successfully complete the State law enforcement certification examination. Upon receipt of the Florida Law Enforcement Officer Certification, the officer will be promoted into the certified police officer job classification, and will be assigned to a structured Field Training Program.
During field training, probationary certified police officers are assigned to a variety of actual police activities under the supervision of an experienced field training officer. As the program progresses, new officers are assigned more complex tasks while working various shifts. Upon successful completion of the Field Training Program, new officers will be assigned to work in a solo status in Patrol.
Progressive training is of great importance to the Gainesville Police Department. In-service training is provided to each sworn officer. Advanced criminal law, tactical police driving, discretionary use of firearms, officer survival tactics, and interpersonal communications are just a few of the topics taught.
In addition to the regularly scheduled training, each officer is eligible to attend advanced training courses offered at the Santa Fe Community College Institute of Public Safety. Successful completion of some of the advanced courses may result in the officer's receipt of salary incentive moneys.
Career development and other specialized police training courses are also available through the Institute of Public Safety, as well as other recognized training centers throughout the nation.
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