1.070 - Training

Effective Date: 11/20/2013

1.070-POL

This policy applies to training curriculum developed and hosted by all sections of the Department that is intended to support and reinforce Department policies, procedures and tactics.  Specialized training for other purposes is approved by the employee’s chain of command. Training courses that are hosted off-site by outside vendors are governed by Manual Section 3.080 – Travel and Training System.

1. Training Curriculum Must Be Consistent With the Seattle Police Manual

Training curriculum is a specific body of knowledge presented to train and educate employees.  Lesson plans are part of the training curriculum.

a. Attendance at Non-Department Training Does Not Relieve an Employee of the Duty to Follow Department Policy and Training

2. Lesson Plans Must Contain Certain Elements

Lesson plans must contain the following:

  • Course outline
  • Course overview
  • Performance objectives
  • Introductions
  • Material presented, to include any and all
    • Lecture notes
    • Power Point presentations
    • Videos
    • Handouts
    • Group activity instructions
  • Exams, if applicable
  • Debriefing
  • Safety plan, if applicable

3. Training Curriculum That is Intended to Support and Reinforce Department Policies, Procedures and Tactics is Vetted Through the Compliance Section

See 1.070-PRO-1 Vetting Department-Developed Training Curriculum Through Compliance Section.

4.  The Chief of Police, Through the Assistant Chief of the Professional Standards Bureau, Approves all Training Curriculum

5.  Each Section That Conducts Training Retains All Curriculum That It Presents

Each iteration of a lesson plan that is presented to a class must be archived.   

6.  ETS Retains All Attendance Documentation

Attendance documentation for courses that are intended to support and reinforce Department policies, procedures and tactics must include a class roster and the name and serial number of the lead instructor. 

Section captains shall ensure that ETS is advised of all outside training attended by their employees.    Training courses that are hosted off-site by outside vendors are governed by Manual Section 3.080 – Travel and Training System.

7.  Each Section That Conducts Training Evaluates All of Its Training on an Annual Basis

Sections evaluate their training in order to confirm that it remains current and relevant.  Captains shall document the annual review in a memorandum archived within their section.

1.070-PRO-1 Vetting Training Curriculum Through Compliance Section

Training Lieutenant

1. Sends draft training curriculum to the Compliance Section lieutenant

Compliance Section Lieutenant

2. Forwards draft training curriculum to Compliance Section sergeant for assignment

Compliance Section Sergeant

3. Assigns a Compliance Section detective to review draft curriculum (if possible, the detective shall have been the policy project lead on the subject)

Compliance Section Detective

4. Reviews draft curriculum

5. Determines whether draft curriculum is consistent with Department policy (Note: the intent is not to troubleshoot technical aspects of the training/curriculum)

a. If the detective determines that the draft curriculum is consistent with policy, emails the Compliance Section sergeant with that conclusion (which is then forwarded up the chain of command to the Assistant Chief of the Professional Standards Bureau) (Skip to step 11.)

b. If the detective determines that the draft curriculum may be inconsistent with policy, schedules a work group meeting with the Compliance Section sergeant, the Compliance Section detective, the Training sergeant, the Training officer who drafted the curriculum and, if feasible, at least one of the subject matter experts who participated in the work group when the policy was written/last updated

  • The meeting shall take place within two weeks 

Work Group

6.  Discusses the potential inconsistencies between policy and training curriculum

a. Training Officer: Documents the process (including who from Compliance Section vetted the draft curriculum, what was discussed at the meeting, whether there were any disagreements, whether edits were made after the meeting, etc.) on the Vetting Training Curriculum Form (form 23.9)

  • This completed form becomes part of the draft curriculum.
  • If the work group is able to resolve any and all policy issues with the draft curriculum, skip to step 11.

7. Forwards curriculum to the Compliance Section Captain and Training Captain for a resolution of any possible inconsistencies between training and policy, and for final approval by the Assistant Chief of the Professional Standards Bureau

Compliance Section Captain and Training Captain

8. Review draft curriculum

9. Discuss and resolve the potential inconsistencies between policy and training curriculum

10. Forwards draft curriculum to the Assistant Chief of the Professional Standards Bureau for review and approval

Assistant Chief of the Professional Standards Bureau

11. Approves final draft of the curriculum


Police

Adrian Diaz, Chief of Police
Address: 610 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98104-1900
Mailing Address: PO Box 34986, Seattle, WA, 98124-4986
Phone: (206) 625-5011
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The Seattle Police Department (SPD) prevents crime, enforces laws, and supports quality public safety by delivering respectful, professional, and dependable police services. SPD operates within a framework that divides the city into five geographical areas called "precincts".

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