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Basic Academy

New officers attend Basic Academy training after being hired by or sponsored by a law enforcement agency in the state of Iowa. Prior to attending, recruits must pass the physical entrance test (requirements found here).

At the Academy, recruits will train Monday through Friday and return home for the weekend. 

At the completion of 16 weeks of training, recruits are certified as police officers and recognized at graduation.

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Photos of all historical Basic classes

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Highest academic averages

Click here for the current Basic Academy schedule

ILEA’s basic academy

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Iowa 501 – Law Enforcement Academy

Chapter 80B– Law Enforcement Academy

IADLEST– Int. Association of Law Enforcement Standards and Training

BJA– Bureau of Justice Assistance

ILEA’s Basic Academy

ACADEMIES

YEARS

STUDENTS

AGENCIES

Upcoming Basic Academy Dates

 

309th and 310th Basic Classes:
May 1, 2023 – August 18, 2023
311th and 312nd Basic Classes:

August 28, 2023 – December 15, 2023

313th and 314th Basic Classes:

January 3, 2024 – April 19, 2024

315th and 316th Basic Classes:
April 29, 2024 – August 16, 2024
317th and 318th Basic Classes:
August 26, 2024 – December 13, 2024
Professionalism Through Training

Basic Academy at ILEA

The ILEA Basic Academy consists of 636 hours of instruction over the course of 16 weeks.

Basic Academy Curriculum

.FOCUS AREA 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN POLICING (21 hours)

  1. Unbiased Policing……………………………………………………………………………………………. 14 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)

  1. Court Organization…………………………. ……………………………………………………………… 2 Hours
  2. Discretion………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Hours
  3. Ethics & Professionalism…………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Hour
  4. Jail Operations/Corrections/Civil Process…………………………………………………………. 2 Hours

FOCUS AREA 2 – COMMUNICATION SKILLS (39 hours)

  1. Death Notification……………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Hours
  2. Interviews and Interrogations………………………………………………………………………….. 7 Hours
  3. Moot Court………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3 Hours
  4. Report Writing and Investigative Note Taking…………………………………………………. 13 Hours
  5. Social Media……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Hour
  6. Testifying in Court…………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Hours
  7. Verbal Defense & Influence…………………………………………………………………………….. 8 Hours
  8. Trauma Informed Interviews………………………………………………………………………….… 4 Hours

FOCUS AREA 3 – LIFE SKILLS (124 hours)

  1. Below 100……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Hours
  2. Blood borne Pathogens…………………………………………………………………………………….. 1 Hour
  3. Blue Courage………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4 Hours
  4. Crisis Intervention Training (8 Hours Scenarios)…………………………………………….. 24 Hours
  5. Critical Incident Stress Management………………………………………………………………. 2 Hours
  6. Federal Color of Law (Aspects of Use of Force)……………………………………………….. 2 Hours
  7. Iowa Law Enforcement Emergency Care Provider (4 Hours Testing)……………… 32 Hours
  8. Mental Health Emergencies…………………………………………………………………………….. 4 Hours
  9. Physical Training (2 Hours Testing)………………………………………………………………… 46 Hours
  10. Stress Management………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Hours
  11. Survival Awareness…………………………………………………………………………………………. 3 Hours
  12. Introduction to Trauma……………………………………………………………………………..…    2 Hours

FOCUS AREA 4 – LEGAL TOPICS (67 hours)

  1. Civil Liability…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Hours
  2. Confessions and Admissions………………………………………………………………………….. 3 Hours
  3. Criminal Law…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18 Hours
  4. Juvenile Law……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3 Hours
  5. Law of Arrest…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Hours
  6. Motor Vehicle Law (2 Hours Testing)…………………………………………………………….. 11 Hours
  7. Narcotics Law………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Hours
  8. O.W.I. Legal…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4 Hours
  9. Peace Officer & Management Rights………………………………………………………………… 1 Hour
  10. Procedural Due Process…………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Hour
  11. Rules of Evidence……………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Hours
  12. Search and Seizure………………………………………………………………………………………. 14 Hours
  13. Use of Force……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4 Hours

FOCUS AREA 5 – PATROL PROCEDURES (55 hours)

  1. Alcohol Licensee Compliance………………………………………………………………………………. 1 Hour
  2. ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training)………………………. 12 Hours
  3. Animal Control Procedures……………………………………………………………………………….. 1 Hour
  4. Basic Incident Command (IS-100 & IS-700)…………………………………………………………. 1 Hour
  5. Felony Calls in Progress (Includes Building Searches)………………………………………. 7 Hours
  6. Fire Calls…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Hour
  7. Gangs……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Hours
  8.  Hazardous Materials……………………………………………………………………………………….. 8 Hours
  9. Iowa System Communication………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Hours
  10. Meth Labs……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Hours
  11. Observation & Perception……………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Hours
  12. Patrol Techniques & Beat Assignments……………………………………………………………. 2 Hours
  13. Radar Enforcement…………………………………………………………………………………………. 4 Hours
  14. Radio Communications ………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Hours
  15. Terrorism Awareness………………………………………………………………………………………. 4 Hours
  16. Traffic Direction…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1 Hour
  17. Traffic Law Enforcement…………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Hours
  18. Weather Preparedness……………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Hour

FOCUS AREA 6 – INVESTIGATIONS (113 hours)

  1. Bombing & Arson…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Hours
  2. Burglary…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Hours
  3. Card Fraud………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Hours
  4. Collision Investigation (2 Hours Testing)………………………………………………………… 20 Hours
  5. Crime Scene Search and Recording…………………………………………………………………. 3 Hours
  6. Death Investigation………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3 Hours
  7. Document Fraud……………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Hours
  8. Domestic Violence (6 Hours Practical)………………………………………………………….. 13 Hours
  9. Financial Crimes……………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Hours
  10. Fingerprinting…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Hours
  11. Forensic Science and the DCI Laboratory………………………………………………………… 3 Hours
  12. Hate Crimes…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Hours
  13. Human Trafficking…………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 Hours
  14. Insurance Fraud…………………………………………..……………………………………………………….1Hour
  15. Iowa Lottery Security…………………………………………………………………………………………….1Hour
  16. Iowa Missing Persons……………………………………………………………………………………………1Hour
  17. Mandatory Reporting of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse………………………………4 Hours
  18. Narcotics Investigation…………………………………………………………………………………….. 6 Hours
  19. Officer Involved Shootings…………………………………………………………..……………………….1 Hour
  20. O.W.I. Enforcement (includes Chemical Testing and DataMaster Training,                              
    Drug Recognition for Street Officers)………………………………………………………………………..    13 Hours
  21. Photography……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Hour
  22. Sexual Abuse Investigation……………………………………………………………………………… 9 Hours
  23. Stalking……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Hours
  24. Standardized Field Sobriety Testing……………………………………………………………….. 10 Hours
  25. Street Intoxication……………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Hours
  26. Vehicle Theft……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3 Hours
  27. Healthcare Abuse………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1 hour

 

FOCUS AREA 7 – TACTICAL SKILLS (188 hours)

  1. Chemical Spray……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4 Hours
  2. Defensive Tactics (3 Hours Testing)……………………………………………………………….. 46 Hours
  3. Expandable Baton Training (2 Hours Testing) …………………………………………………. 7 Hours
  4. F.A.T.S…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11 Hours
  5. Firearms (6 Hours Night Fire)………………………………………………………………………… 72 Hours
  6. Risk Management……………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Hours
  7. Vehicle Operations (4 Hours Testing)…………………………………………………………….. 36 Hours
  8. Vehicle Stops (2 Hours Night Vehicle Stops)…………………………………………………… 10 Hours

FOCUS AREA 8 – ADMINISTRATIVE (21 hours)

  1. Examinations ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14 Hours
  2. Graduation………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Hour
  3. Graduation Rehearsal……………………………………………………………………………………….. 1 Hour
  4. Registration/Orientation…………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Hours
  5. Student Advisor Meeting…………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Hour

Total: 636 hours over 16 weeks

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