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 program is a basic or entry-level law enforcement program, the program includes specific job-related training in ethics and integrity. 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 eTraining, technical assistance is available. 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    When copyrighted materials are used, the applicant complies with relevant rules and laws. Advisory: Potentially not applicable.

1. curriculum content (e.g., syllabi, lesson plans, training materials, etc.);
2. a listing of all instructors and other instructional personnel indicating the actual block of instruction in which each presented or participated;
3. inclusive dates the program is conducted and actual dates and times when each segment of training occurs;
4. roster of participants; and
5. practical evaluations and/or written examinations and keys.

Advisory: None.

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

1. if the training has prerequisites, documentation that verifies the student met all prerequisites for attending the training program;
2. a complete record of the students’ training evaluations (grades, scores, final results);
3. documentation of any exceptions, waivers, or reasonable accommodations requested or granted to the student; and
4. documentation that verifies the student successfully completes the training program.

Advisory: .01 is potentially not applicable.

1.10    The applicant follows procedures for program-related and student training records (physical and/or electronic), regarding:

1. security;
2. release;
3. retention; and
4. destruction.

Advisory: The intent of the standard is to address processes associated with program and student record keeping, and may include such items as transcript requests, FOIA requests, system backup notifications, records access logs, external requests for training materials, etc.

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 applicant adheres to its policy for medical clearance. Advisory: Potentially not applicable.

1.13     The applicant adheres to its policy for student misconduct. Advisory: Evidence may include documentation of notification, adjudication, and/or redress for allegations of student misconduct.

Section 2 – Program 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 an orientation to training staff that includes:

1. applicant's mission and/or vision;
2. program goals and/or objectives;
3. code of conduct;
4. violations and consequences of prohibited conduct;
5. organizational structure; and
6. safety rules/regulations and procedures.

Advisory: None.

2.02     The applicant monitors and provides guidance/feedback to 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: Evidence may include items such as, reviewing operational reports, journal article reviews, TDY assignments to the field, town halls, recertification, etc.

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: Evidence may include items such as reading articles on advanced instructional competencies, development in mentoring and coaching, training on instructional systems design, etc.

2.06     The applicant conducts and documents quality checks of its instructional staff by supervisors (or designees) to ensure training quality is maintained. Advisory: None.

2.07     When using guest presenters, the applicant ensures training quality is maintained. Advisory: Potentially not applicable. The intent of this standard is to ensure training quality is maintained when inviting persons, who are not designated as instructors, to deliver materials, who are speaking on an infrequent basis, or where the training organization cannot control/direct the training/development of the individual.

2.08     When a program has other than full-time instructors, the applicant ensures training quality is maintained. Advisory: Potentially not applicable. The intent of this standard is to address instructors that are part-time, adjunct, detailed, coaches, mentors, field advisors, etc.

Section 3 – Program 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/revision documents. Advisory: None.

3.02    The applicant develops, approves, secures, and administers examinations and/or evaluation(s) within the program:

1. When using written examination(s)
2. When using practical evaluation(s)

Advisory: .01 or .02 is potentially not applicable.

3.03     The applicant reviews documents that influence the content of the training such as, but not limited to, current agency policies, procedures and manuals, or operational reports. Advisory: None.

3.04     The applicant defines and validates tasks to derive training objectives. Advisory: The applicant may use subject matter experts, policies, legislation, etc. to determine: the tasks to be trained, the organization/grouping of job-related tasks, and the special conditions under which tasks will be performed.

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

3.06      Objectives are sequenced to facilitate student progress from one level of skill and knowledge to another. Advisory: None.

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

3.08     Program documents identify instructional strategies, methodologies, and/or resources to estimate program costs. Advisory: Pre-existing programs may use historical program expenditures to estimate costs.

3.09     When the training program is inherently dangerous and/or creates potential safety risks, the applicant conducts risk assessments and implements procedures to mitigate identified hazards. Advisory: Potentially not applicable. The intent of this standard is to show how the risk assessment is applied to the training.

3.10     Training materials describe activities to ensure consistent delivery of instruction. Advisory: Items may include, but are not limited to, lesson plans, instructor guides, program(s) of instruction, presentations with instructor notes, etc.

3.11     Training materials are reviewed and approved prior to their use. Advisory: Items may include, but are not limited to, lesson plans, instructor guides, program(s) of instruction, presentations with instructor notes, etc.

3.12     The program is pilot tested with documented results. Advisory: The pilot requirement addresses new or revised programs. Ongoing maintenance to training materials may not require a pilot.

3.13     The applicant establishes the standard(s) of competence:

1. When using written examination(s)
2. When using practical evaluation(s)

Advisory: .01 or .02 is potentially not applicable. As an example, training programs may use numerical cut scores, pass/fail, go/no go, sat/unsat, or other methods for documenting participant completion of written exams, laboratory/practical exercises, performance activities, or other assessment tools used to evaluate the standard set by the training organization.

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

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

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

3.17     The applicant reviews the examination and/or evaluation results (Level 2 of the Kirkpatrick model or an equivalent) to determine gaps in instruction, training materials, or the examination and/or evaluation tool(s):

1. When using written examination(s)
2. When using practical evaluation(s)

Advisory: .01 or .02 is potentially not applicable.

3.18     The applicant gathers and reviews feedback (Level 3 of the Kirkpatrick model or an equivalent) from graduates and others who often observe the graduates' behavior, such as their immediate supervisors, subordinates, and/or peers to identify opportunities to improve the program. Advisory: None.

3.19     The applicant ensures that training programs are comprehensively reviewed within a five-year period and revised, if necessary. A comprehensive review consists of, at a minimum, Levels 1-3 of the Kirkpatrick model or an equivalent. Advisory: None.

Section 4 – Program Training Delivery

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

4.01     Training materials are followed for instruction conducted in the program. Advisory: None.

4.02     Students have access to program-related materials and/or equipment. Advisory: None.

4.03    The applicant provides training space and/or resources identified in the training materials to support the program:

1. When delivering in-person training
2. When delivering eTraining

Advisory: .01 or .02 is potentially not applicable. Evidence may include, but is not limited to, facilities, equipment, or hardware/software.

4.04     The applicant provides an orientation to students that includes:

1. program goals and/or objectives;
2. training schedules;
3. practical evaluation and/or written examination requirements;
4. when training is conducted in person, students receive information on safety rules and emergency procedures;
5. code of conduct rules and requirements; and
6. disciplinary procedures.

Advisory: .04 is potentially not applicable.