Curriculum

Basic Academy Curriculum

FOCUS AREA 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN POLICING 

(21 hours)

Foundations of American Policing
Unbiased Policing14 Hours
 Implicit Bias (3), Cultural Competency (5), African Community Relations (2), Asian Community Relations (1), Latino Community Relations (1), Special Needs Population (1), Deaf Culture (1)
Court Organization2 Hours
Discretion2 Hours
Ethics & Professionalism1 Hour
Jail Operations/Corrections/
Civil Process		2 Hours

FOCUS AREA 2 – COMMUNICATION SKILLS 

(39 hours)

Communication Skills
Death Notification2 Hours
Interviews and Interrogations7 Hours
Moot Court3 Hours
Report Writing and Investigative Note Taking13 Hours
Social Media1 Hour
Testifying in Court2 Hours
Verbal Defense & Influence8 Hours
Trauma Informed Interviews4 Hours

FOCUS AREA 3 – LIFE SKILLS 

(124 hours)

Life Skills
Below 1002 Hours
Bloodborne Pathogens1 Hour
Blue Courage4 Hours
Crisis Intervention Training (8 Hours Scenarios)24 Hours
Critical Incident Stress Management2 Hours
Federal Color of Law (Aspects of Use of Force)2 Hours
Iowa Law Enforcement Emergency Care Provider (4 Hours Testing)32 Hours
Mental Health Emergencies4 Hours
Physical Training (2 Hours Testing)46 Hours
Stress Management2 Hours
Survival Awareness3 Hours
Introduction to Trauma2 Hours

FOCUS AREA 4 – LEGAL TOPICS 

(67 hours)

Legal Topics
Civil Liability2 Hours
Confessions and Admissions3 Hours
Criminal Law18 Hours
Juvenile Law3 Hours
Law of Arrest2 Hours
Motor Vehicle Law (2 Hours Testing)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 

(55 hours)

Patrol Procedures
Alcohol Licensee Compliance1 Hour
ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training)12 Hours
Animal Control Procedures1 Hour
Basic Incident Command (IS-100 & IS-700)1 Hour
Felony Calls in Progress (Includes Building Searches)7 Hours
Fire Calls1 Hour
Gangs2 Hours
Hazardous Materials8 Hours
Iowa System Communication2 Hours
Meth Labs2 Hours
Observation & Perception2 Hours
Patrol Techniques & Beat Assignments2 Hours
Radar Enforcement4 Hours
Radio Communications2 Hours
Terrorism Awareness4 Hours
Traffic Direction1 Hour
Traffic Law Enforcement2 Hours
Weather Preparedness1 Hour

FOCUS AREA 6 – INVESTIGATIONS 

(116 hours)

Investigations
K-9 & Drones2-3 Hours
Bombing & Arson2 Hours
Burglary2 Hours
Card Fraud2 Hours
Collision Investigation (2 Hours Testing)20 Hours
Conservation & Parks1 Hour
Crime Scene Search and Recording3 Hours
Death Investigation3 Hours
Document Fraud2 Hours
Domestic Violence (6 Hours Practical)13 Hours
Financial Crimes2 Hours
Fingerprinting2 Hours
Forensic Science and the DCI Laboratory3 Hours
Hate Crimes2 Hours
Human Trafficking3 Hours
Insurance Fraud1 Hour
Iowa Lottery Security1 Hour
Iowa Missing Persons1 Hour
Mandatory Reporting of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse4 Hours
Narcotics Investigation6 Hours
Officer Involved Shootings1 Hour
O.W.I. Enforcement (includes Chemical Testing and DataMaster Training,                              
Drug Recognition for Street Officers)		13 Hours
Photography1 Hour
Sexual Abuse Investigation9 Hours
Stalking2 Hours
Standardized Field Sobriety Testing10 Hours
Street Intoxication2 Hours
Vehicle Theft3 Hours
Healthcare Abuse1 hour

FOCUS AREA 7 – TACTICAL SKILLS 

(188 hours)

Tactical Skills
Chemical Spray4 Hours
Defensive Tactics (3 Hours Testing)46 Hours
Expandable Baton Training (2 Hours Testing)7 Hours
F.A.T.S11 Hours
Firearms (6 Hours Night Fire)72 Hours
Risk Management2 Hours
Vehicle Operations (4 Hours Testing)36 Hours
Vehicle Stops (2 Hours Night Vehicle Stops)10 Hours

FOCUS AREA 8 – ADMINISTRATIVE 

(21 hours)

Administrative
Examinations14 Hours
Graduation1 Hour
Graduation Rehearsal1 Hour
Registration/Orientation4 Hours
Student Advisor Meeting1 Hour

Total: 639 hours over 16 weeks