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Previous PagePolice Training Curriculum

T he Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOTEC) requires 777.5 hours of instruction to receive certification as a Police Officer.  The Philadelphia Police Academy has expanded upon that requirement by providing its recruits with an additional 264.5 hours for a total of 1042 hours of instruction.  The Philadelphia Police Department has committed a vast amount of resources to the education of its sworn personnel. The Police Academy Curriculum is divided among 13 areas of instruction.
  1. Law Enforcement Orientation
    1. Foundations of the Legal System
    2. The Role of Police in the Criminal Justice System
    3. Functions of the Criminal Justice System
    4. Legal Systems
    5. Anti-Social Behavior
    6. Professional Relations
    7. Ethic and Values
  2. Professional Development
    1. Physical Conditioning
    2. Emotional Health
    3. Human Relations Skills
    4. Application of Force
    5. Firearm Safety and Weapon Care
    6. Criminal and Civil Liability
  3. Law
    1. Authority and Jurisdiction
    2. Criminal Law
    3. Criminal Procedure
    4. Evidence
    5. Juvenile Justice
    6. Mental Health Act
    7. Civil Law
    8. Use of Force
    9. Controlled Substance Act
    10. Liquor Law
    11. Domestic Violence – Spouse and Child Abuse
    12. Victims’ Assistance Act
  4. Motor Vehicle Code
    1. Introduction to Highway Safety
    2. Vehicle Code Terminology
    3. Vehicle Terminology
    4. Title, Registration and Vehicle Terminology
    5. Drivers Licensing
    6. Vehicle Regulation
    7. Rules Governing Movement of Vehicle and Actions of People
    8. Serious Offenses
  5. Patrol Procedures and Operation
    1. History and Importance of Police Patrol
    2. Pre-patrol and Routine Patrol Procedures
    3. Patrol Activities and Incidents
    4. Monitoring Vehicular and Pedestrian Traffic
    5. Driving Under the Influence – Enforcement
  6. Investigations
    1. Investigation Overview
    2. Preliminary Investigation
    3. Securing the Crime Scene
    4. Investigative Interviewing
    5. Processing Evidence
    6. In-Depth Investigation
    7. Area Searches
    8. Accident Investigation
    9. Surveillance
  7. Communications
    1. Communication Overview
    2. One to One Communication
    3. Delivering Correspondence and Emergency Notifications
    4. Written Communications
    5. Public Speaking
    6. Testifying in Court
  8. Handling Violent and Dangerous People
    1.  Behavior Management and Crisis Intervention
    2. Dispute Intervention
    3. Handling the Mentally Ill
    4. Suicide, Barricaded Persons and Hostage Situations
    5. Role Playing
  9. Custody
    1. Review of Legal Authority and Constitutional Principles
    2. Mechanics of Arrest and Search
    3. Transportation of those in Custody
    4. Booking and Lock-Up
    5. Juvenile Custody
    6. Custody of the Mentally Ill or Disturbed Persons
    7. Special Problems
  10. First Aid and CPR
    1. American Heart Association CPR
    2. American Red Cross First Aid
  11. Firearms
    1. Introduction to Firearms
    2. Shooting Fundamentals
    3. Range Behavior
    4. Range Work for Basic Patrol
    5. Classroom for Practical Pistol
    6. Range Work for Practical Pistol
    7. Qualification
    8. Introduction to the Police Shotgun
    9. Range Exercises for the Shotgun
    10. Night Fire Familiarization
    11. Judgment and Tactical Skills
  12. Operation of Patrol Vehicles
    1. Traffic Safety and Defensive Driving
    2. Vehicle Operation and Control
    3. Techniques of Vehicle Control
  13. City Hours
    1. City Hours are classes, over and above what the state requires for certification.  Theses classes allow for additional time to be spent on Material covered during the state required time.  Additionally, these classes also cover material that is unique to the Philadelphia Police Department.

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Information listed here is believed to be current at the time of publication. However, some of the material presented here may have expired since it was posted. Persons should contact a Philadelphia Police representative whenever relying on dated material or information that is subject to change.
 
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