Curriculum

Basic Academy Curriculum

Focus Area 1 – Foundations of American Policing

(A Minimum of 21 hours)

Focus Area 1 - Foundations of American Policing
Focus Area 1Foundations of American Policing
Observation, Perception and Decision-Making14 Hours
Observation, Perception and Decision-Making Sub-categories (Including Project) Observation, Perception & Decision-Making (3), Community Policing (6), Community Partnerships (2), Special Needs Population (1), Deaf & Hard of Hearing Culture (2)
Court Organization2 Hours
Discretion2 Hours
Ethics & Professionalism1 Hour

Civil Process		2 Hours

Focus Area 2 – Communication Skills 

(A Minimum of 41 hours)

Focus Area 2 - Communication Skills
Focus Area 2Communication Skills
Communication with People in Crisis2 Hours
Communication and Verbal Responses2 Hours
Death Notification2 Hours
Interviews and Interrogations7 Hours
Moot Court2 Hours
Report Writing and Investigative Note Taking16 Hours
Social Media1 Hour
Testifying in Court2 Hours
Verbal Defense & Influence8 Hours
Trauma Informed Interviews4 Hours

Focus Area 3 – Life Skills 

(A Minimum of 124 hours)

Focus Area 3 - Life Skills
Focus Area 3Life Skills
Below 1002 Hours
Bloodborne Pathogens1 Hour
Crisis Intervention Training (Including Practical)28 Hours
Critical Incident Stress Management2 Hours
Federal Color of Law (Aspects of Use of Force)2 Hours
Iowa Law Enforcement Emergency Care Provider (ILEECP)(Including Practical)32 Hours
Mental Health Emergencies4 Hours
Officer Resiliency 2 Hours
Physical Training (4 P.T. Testing Dates)46 Hours
Stress Management2 Hours
Survival Awareness1 Hours
Introduction to Trauma2 Hours

Focus Area 4 – Legal Topics 

(A Minimum of 67 hours)

Focus Area 4 - Legal Topics
Focus Area 4Legal Topics
Civil Liability2 Hours
Confessions and Admissions3 Hours
Criminal Law18 Hours
Juvenile Law3 Hours
Law of Arrest2 Hours
Motor Vehicle Law (Including TraCS)11 Hours
Narcotics Law2 Hours
O.W.I. Legal4 Hours
Peace Officer & Management Rights1 Hour
Procedural Due Process1 Hour
Rules of Evidence2 Hours
Search and Seizure14 Hours
Use of Force4 Hours

Focus Area 5 – Patrol Procedures 

(A Minimum of 55 hours)

Focus Area 5 - Patrol Procedures
Focus Area 5Patrol Procedures
Alcohol Licensee Compliance1 Hour
ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training) (Including Practial)14 Hours
Animal Control Procedures1 Hour
Basic Incident Command (IS-100 & IS-700)4 Hours
Felony Calls in Progress (Includes Building Searches) (Including Practical)7 Hours
Fire Calls1 Hour
Gangs3 Hours
Hazardous Materials4 Hours
Iowa System Communication2 Hours
Meth Labs2 Hours
Observation & Perception2 Hours
Patrol Techniques & Beat Assignments2 Hours
Radar Enforcement (Including Practical)4 Hours
Radio Communications2 Hours
Terrorism Awareness2 Hours
Traffic Direction1 Hour
Traffic Law Enforcement2 Hours
Weather Preparedness1 Hour

Focus Area 6 – Investigations 

(A Minimum of 116 hours)

Focus Area 6 - Investigations
Focus Area 6Investigations
K-9 & Drones2 Hours
Bombing & Arson2 Hours
Burglary2 Hours
Card Fraud1 Hours
Collision Investigation (2 Hours Testing)20 Hours
Conservation & Parks1 Hour
Crime Scene Search and Recording3 Hours
Death Investigation3 Hours
Document Fraud1 Hours
Domestic Violence (Including Practical)13 Hours
Financial Crimes2 Hours
Fingerprinting2 Hours
Forensic Science and the DCI Laboratory3 Hours
Hate Crimes2 Hours
Human Trafficking (Including Practical)6 Hours
Insurance Fraud1 Hour
Iowa Lottery Security1 Hour
Iowa Missing Persons1 Hour
Mandatory Reporting of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse4 Hours
Narcotics Investigation6 Hours
O.W.I. Enforcement (includes Chemical Testing and DataMaster Training,                              
Drug Recognition for Street Officers) (Including Practical)		13 Hours
Photography1 Hour
Sexual Abuse Investigation (Including Practical)9 Hours
Stalking2 Hours
Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (Including Wet Lab Practical)10 Hours
Street Intoxication2 Hours
Vehicle Theft3 Hours
Healthcare Abuse1 hour

Focus Area 7 – Tactical Skills 

(A Minimum of 188 hours)

Tactical Skills
Focus Area 7Tactical Skills
Chemical Spray (Including Practical)4 Hours
Defensive Tactics (Including Practical)46 Hours
Expandable Baton Training (Including Practical)7 Hours
Firearms: Handgun, Rifle and Shotgun (Including Night Fire and Simulator)92 Hours
Risk Management2 Hours
Vehicle Operations (Including Night Pursuits and Practical)36 Hours
Vehicle Stops (Including Night Stops and Practical)10 Hours

Focus Area 8 – Administrative 

(21 hours)

Administrative
Focus Area 8Administrative
Examinations14 Hours
Graduation1 Hour
Graduation Rehearsal1 Hour
Registration/Orientation4 Hours

Total: 639 hours over 16 weeks