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Training
Law Enforcement training at the Miami Police Department has a long and distinguished history. From 1896, when the City of Miami was incorporated, to 1921, the law enforcement personnel received “on the job” training. It was in 1921 when Miami’s police officers were first required to pass a written test and a physical qualification requirement. In the late 1920’s, the Miami Police Department established its first training school with 20 policemen. These officers received training in first aid, criminal and courtroom procedures, use of firearms and other law enforcement procedures. Written tests were administered for civil service employment and promotions.
In 1945, Chief Walter Headley created the Miami Police Academy. Recruit Class #1 was the first police academy in Florida to establish college credit for law enforcement training. The class ran for approximately 6 weeks and included 198 hours of training. The Miami Police Academy averaged 3 classes annually, usually with 9 recruits per class. The last Miami Police Academy class was Recruit Class #82, which graduated in 1973 after 960 hours of training.
In the early 1970’s, the Miami Dade College, North Campus (MDC-N) established the Southeast Institute of Criminal Justice open to law enforcement agencies for basic law enforcement training for recruits. The Miami Police Department enrolled its recruits in the Basic Law Enforcement (BLE) Class #1 from that time until 2009.
With the MDC-N training the City of Miami police recruits, the Miami Police Academy was transformed to the Miami Police Training Center and received certification as a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commission-approved training center.
The Miami Police Training Center which also encompasses the state of the art Miami Police College, and although approved to conduct recruit training, is a career development/specialized and advanced training facility focused on training certified police officers and criminal justice professionals in the Miami-Dade County and Monroe County area.
The Training Center is comprised of several individual Details, each focused on unique aspects of the training environment. The Coordinator Detail is responsible for coordinating all of the Center’s training courses, conducting liaison with external training facilities and agencies, coordinating internships with colleges and universities, as well as interfacing with colleges and universities concerning continuing education for Department personnel. The annual firearms qualifications and other periodic in-service training are managed by the Firearms Detail, and the Officer Survival Detail. The Police Academy Detail provides Training Advisors to supervise Basic Law Enforcement classes at the Miami Dade Community College facility.
In addition to providing in-service training for sworn law enforcement personnel, the Training Center provides specialized training for civilians assigned to the Department as well as the City of Miami government agencies. This training effort addresses the various position-related requirements, mandatory training, and other required training established by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
Over the years, the Miami Police Department has developed a reputation for expertise in police technology. Law enforcement agencies worldwide have sent their police officers to be trained by the Miami Police Department’s SWAT Team, the Canine Detail, Bicycle Detail and other specialized units. In 1998, the Miami Police Department was among the law enforcement agencies in the nation selected to receive a federal grant to conduct Community Policing training.
The Miami Police Training Center continues to strive to provide high quality in-service training to all Department personnel as well as law enforcement officers in the South Florida area. There are several major initiatives to further enhance the training experience at the Miami Police Training Center. Among these initiatives are: (1) the publication of several training guides and curriculums, (2) computerizing and updating the training files, (3) the development and implementation of training videos addressing survival techniques for patrol officers, and, (4) the establishment of a computer lab. The Training Center is proactive in researching new, emerging programs and modern equipment to create new and innovative courses. The future includes the construction of new training facility that will house a “state of the art” firing range, shoot house and an officer survival city.
As we enter the new millennium, the Miami Police Training Center continues the pursuit of excellence with cutting edge education for our officers, as well as providing enhanced training opportunities for law enforcement agencies both nationally and internationally.
The Training & Personnel Development Section, under the directorship of Major Ian A. Moffett, is a full-service training center meeting the training requirements of the Miami Police Department’s 1,200+ sworn officers for their in-service, annual firearms qualifications, Region XIV courses, and specialized training. During the 2010 calendar year, the significant accomplishments arelisted as follows:
- Recertified by the State of Florida, Department of LawEnforcement,Criminal Justice Standards and TrainingCommission,Training School Certification, Class B, Certification Expires: June 30, 2015;
- Received a “Perfect Audit” for our training center from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement;
- Obtained certification to become a Veteran’s Administration Certified Center, which can allow the use of the GI Bill for training tuition;
- Implemented a system to streamline the admission process to our Police Academy Class;
- Started 3 Independent Police Academy Classes (PAC) with 58 recruits out of 229 applicants;
- Completed 1 Independent Police Service Aid Class with 6 graduates out of 11 applicants;
- Completed 1 Auxiliary Police Academy Class with 13 graduates;
- Successfully incorporated the “Drill Instructor” concept and transitioned from a “college” atmosphere to an “academy” atmosphere for the enhancement of “esprit de corps”;
- Developed a process with the State Department for international officers coming for extended training period at the Miami Police College International Policing Institute;
- Attended the International Association of Chief of Police Conference in Orlando, Florida as an exhibitor to showcase the three schools of the Miami Police College: The Police Academy Class (PAC), The School for Professional Development (SPD), and the International Policing Institute (IPI) with a state-of-the-art display with video in a vendor booth;
- Conducted 14 classes for 251 officers for Region XIV and Career Development Service training;
- Conducted 21 classes for 222 officers complete mandatory FDLE requirements;
- Conducted 10 Firearms Qualifications classes for 191 officers;
- Conducted site visits, tours, and informational sessions for 40 visitors;
- Completed 3 paid internships for international law enforcement professional at the International Policing Institute;
- Coordinated continuing education classes with St. Thomas University, Barry University and Union Institute & University to assist police employees who further their educational endeavors.
Miami Police Department Training Center
400 N.W. 2 Avenue, Room 327
Miami, Florida 33128
Phone: (305) 603-6624
Fax: (305) 579-6143
Email: mptc@miami-police.org
Miami Police Department
Administration Division
Phone: (305) 603-6130
www.miamipolicetrainingcenter.org |
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