The Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation (FLETA) Board is pleased to announce it granted reaccreditation status to two Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) programs at the April 22, 2010 meeting held in Annapolis, Maryland. The two programs are the Inland Boat Operators Training Program (IBOT), which trains law enforcement officers and agents to operate a patrol vessel utilizing the maritime disciplines and skills customary for waterborne assignment on inland waterways, and the Law Enforcement Instructor In-Service Training Program (LEIISTP), which provides certification training for Senior Instructors and Program Specialists at the FLETC. The LEIISTP is offered to Center instructors and Partner Organization personnel assigned to Center programs.
FLETA Board Member Commander Paul Baker, USCG, noted that the IBOT program also trains state and local law enforcement officers who as first responders may be on the scene of an incident well before the Coast Guard. He mentioned two Best Practices identified in the assessment if the IBOT program: 1) the Glynco Facility Student Handbook, which was found to be an excellent guide for students, and 2) the practice of conducting formal evaluations for all instructors semi-annually.
Board Member Ronald Ward, U.S. Courts, said FLETC is to be commended for its standard of excellence in instructor development. He noted that the LEIISTP not only teaches presentation skills, but also moves the students toward Instructional Systems Design.
To achieve accreditation, an agency must undergo a voluntary thorough assessment of their academy and/or program to ensure compliance with the FLETA standards. These professional standards were developed to increase agency effectiveness and efficiency. The standards address the following areas: Academy Administration; Qualifications and Development of Training Staff; Program Administration; and Program and Curriculum Development.
Once an academy or program is accredited, they must undergo reaccreditation every three years using the current standards and process. Reaccreditation takes a fresh look at all information to determine if the evidence supports the agency’s continued compliance with FLETA Standards. To maintain accredited status, agencies also are required to submit annual reports to the FLETA Board.
The FLETC is definitely a leader in accreditation with 12 programs accredited, seven of which have now been reaccredited, as well as FLETC itself being accredited and reaccredited as an academy.
The FLETA Board is nationally recognized by federal law enforcement agencies, as well as stakeholders in law enforcement training. It is the Board’s goal to improve the federal law enforcement community with each accreditation, and the Board has now awarded 36 program accreditations and 12 academy accreditations.
If you would like more information regarding the FLETA process, please visit the website at www.FLETA.gov or contact FLETA at 912-261-3684.