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. Advisory: The intent of this standard is the focus on program and/or facility specific security measures (e.g., weapons, explosives, hazardous materials, equipment, classroom security, controlled substances, access control, etc.).

1.04     When conducting eTraining, technical assistance is available. Advisory: Potentially not applicable.

1.05     If the program has training equipment, it is maintained in accordance with organizational policy or industry standards. Advisory: Potentially not applicable.

1.06     The applicant suspends or discontinues training activities that are in progress and 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, infectious disease, 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 training records (physical and/or electronic), regarding:

1. security and
2. retention.

Advisory: The intent of the standard is to address the training organization’s records management processes associated with security and retention of training program and student records.

1.11     If physical activity is a required part of the curriculum, the applicant adheres to its policy for medical clearance. Advisory: Potentially not applicable.

1.12     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 Instructor Staff

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

2.01     The applicant provides an orientation to instructors that includes:

1. applicant's mission and/or vision;
2. program goals and/or objectives;
3. code of conduct;
4. potential 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 new instructors. Advisory: Evidence may include, but is not limited to, evaluations, instructor certification panel results, personal conferences, email conversations, mentor reports, or other documentation.

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

2.04     The applicant ensures and documents development of its instructors through formal or informal training or operational participation. Advisory: Evidence may include items such as, reviewing operational reports, journal article reviews, TDY assignments to the field, town halls, recertification, reading articles on advanced instructional competencies, development in mentoring and coaching, training on instructional systems design, etc. Evidence should show acquired skills beyond the applicant's initial or minimum instructor requirements.

2.05     Supervisors (or designees) conduct and document quality checks on instructors. Advisory: The intent of this standard is to ensure quality controls for instructors primarily assigned to deliver one or more training programs.

2.06     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 to deliver materials who are not designated as instructors; who are speaking on an infrequent basis; or where the training organization cannot control/direct the training or development of the individual.

2.07     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, counselors, 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 curriculum development/revision documents. Advisory: None.

3.02    When using written examination(s), the applicant:

1. approves and
2. secures the examination(s).

Advisory: Potentially not applicable. The intent of this standard is to minimize potential compromise.

3.03     When using practical evaluation(s), the applicant:

1. approves and
2. secures the evaluation(s).

Advisory: Potentially not applicable. The intent of this standard is to minimize potential compromise.

3.04     The applicant defines and validates tasks (job requirements). Advisory: The applicant may use subject matter experts, and/or the review of policies, legislation, procedures and manuals, operational reports, 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      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.

3.07     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.

3.08     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.

3.09     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.

3.10     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.

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

3.12     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 reference other programs/organizations, consider attrition/failure rates, use informed judgment, comparative/contrast groups, conjectural methods, or rely on subject matter experts or other methods when determining the standard set by the training organization. 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 tools used to evaluate the standard set by the training organization.

3.13     When written examinations are used, equivalent 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.

3.14     When equivalent 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.

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

3.16     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.

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

3.18     The applicant conducts a curriculum review process of the training program within a five-year period, which includes the review of Levels 1, 2, and 3 evaluations 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     The applicant provides training space, equipment, resources, and/or student materials identified 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.

4.03     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
6. disciplinary procedures.

Advisory: .04 is potentially not applicable.