BRTC Law Enforcement
Training Academy
Rules, Regulations, and
Procedural Handbook
A.2 On and off campus, all students shall comply with all rules,
regulations, and procedures contained herein.
A.3 In the absence of any formal order, students shall go through
the chain-of-command to resolve any problems.
Exceptions to these rules will be made only upon approval of a BRTC/LETA
staff instructor.
him/her to miss any scheduled block of instruction, will submit a
written request stating the reasons of such prior to their absence. Each request must be approved by a BRTC/LETA
staff instructor prior to the student departing the BRTC/LETA facility. If the request is approved, the student must
be logged out by a BRTC/LETA staff member.
If an emergency arises over a weekend away from the BRTC/LETA facility,
that may result in your failure to return to class on the following Monday, a
supervisor from your department must notify BRTC/LETA of your absence and send
a follow-up letter from the agency.
Each student will insure that they have been logged out prior to
leaving. Immediately upon your return,
you must have a BRTC/LETA staff member log you back into class. Failure to follow this procedure can result
in being dismissed from the Basic Police Course.
B.
Students shall conduct themselves as
ladies and gentlemen, perform all duties in a thorough and conscientious manner, without
hesitation, and carry out all directives given by authorized personnel.
Classes begin at 8:00 AM and continue as
scheduled with a ten-minute break each hour.
Students shall:
C.
Keep the BRTC/LETA facility neat and
orderly. Proper use of trash
receptacles is required.
D.
Practice good hygiene.
E.
Use public telephones provided and not
BRTC/LETA business phones, except with BRTC/LETA staff permission.
F.
Restrict
their activity in the administration area to business and not disrupt
administrative personnel.
G.
Take
their breaks outside weather permitting.
No loitering in hallways.
H.
Be
present, quiet and seated at beginning of all classes and prepared for
classroom instruction.
I.
Be
in attendance at all scheduled or announced training sessions. Any missed sessions may be deducted from the
Basic Course hours.
J.
Notify
BRTC/LETA staff immediately or as soon as possible of any situations which will
result in the student being absent without leave.
B.2 Students
shall not:
A. (1) Cheat on any graded student
activity. Specifically, weekly academic
test or
retests, physical fitness testing, and
firearms qualification.
(2) Upon any allegation of cheating, a
thorough investigation will be made by the
Academy
staff. A finding that cheating did
occur will subject the offending
student
or students to immediate dismissal from the Law Enforcement Training
Basic
Class.
B.
Commit
any acts that are incompatible or in conflict with public service or that might
cast any unfavorable reflection upon the Law Enforcement Training Academy or
your department.
C.
Use
profane, vulgar, or obscene language.
D.
Gamble,
lie, or steal.
E.
Use
any tobacco products in any Black River Technical College building.
F.
“Horseplay”
in any Black River Technical College building or the range. (Running, wrestling, fighting, etc.)
G.
Use
or possess intoxicants on the Black River Technical College property. A person under the influence of intoxicants
will not be permitted on the BRTC property.
H.
Violate
any state or federal law. A violation
of these laws is a violation of LETA Rules & Regulations.
I.
Eat,
drink, or bring food into the classroom, except bottled water with a cap.
J.
Refuse
to obey the directive of any instructor.
K.
Have
incoming calls during class except in an emergency.
L.
Damage
classroom seats by sitting in such a way to cause unnecessary strain or wear.
M.
Grow
beards unless approved by letter from your department head.
N.
Engage
in any non-professional or extracurricular activity with a LETA instructor.
O.
Bring
beepers, pagers, cellular phones, tape recorders, or any other electronic
equipment into class (that is turned on).
P.
Conduct
themselves in any matter which is sexually or racially harassing to any other
person on the BRTC campus, restaurant, or motel.
Section C…………Firearms Rules
C1. In order to prevent accident or near-accident with firearms
while you are in attendance at BRTC/LETA, the following requirements are
imposed. These requirements are
intended to be a compromise between necessary regulations and the integrity of the
individual.
A.
All officers attending classes will lock
their weapons in the trunk, or motel room, until instructed by a member of the
Academy staff to bring weapons to the classroom or range.
B.
All personal ammunition, or chemical
agents shall be stored and locked in the trunk of the officer’s vehicle.
C.
Time will be provided for the cleaning of
weapons at the firing range under the supervision of Firearms Instructors.
D.
Obey Firearms Safety Rules as prescribed.
Section D…………Sleeping in
Class
D1. Sleeping
in class will not be tolerated.
D2. To avoid sleeping in class, a student may move from their
assigned seat to a standing position along the back wall of the classroom.
D3. A student not exercising the above option and going to sleep
in class will be sent from the class by the instructor.
D4. The
student will report to a BRTC/LETA instructor.
D5. First offense of sleeping in class will result in a verbal
reprimand directed to the student, a call to the student’s agency informing the
agency of the student’s conduct, a brief statement about the violation placed
in the student’s file.
D6. Second offense of sleeping in class will result in a written
reprimand placed in the student’s file, a copy of the reprimand sent to the
student’s employing agency.
D7. Third offense of sleeping in class will result in a
recommendation of dismissal from the Basic Police Training Class. The recommendation may come from an
Instructor. The recommendation will be
presented to the Director of the Law Enforcement Training Academy for final
action.
Section E…………Dress Rules
E1. Proper dress is essential to promote the professional image
that LETA and the entire Law Enforcement Community wants to promote. Therefore, the Basic Trainee will adhere to
the following dress code:
A.
The
following is appropriate attire for the classroom:
1.
Khaki
pants (tan color) and sport shirts; or
2.
Khaki
pants (tan color) and knit shirts with collars;
3.
Khaki
pants (tan color) and khaki shirt (any color)
4.
Other
similar types of neat work clothes or uniforms;
5.
Polished
shoes or boots; or
6.
Clean
athletic shoes in good condition.
B.
The
following is prohibited attire in the classroom;
1.
Tank
tops, sleeveless shirts.
2.
Cut-off
pants, shorts, shorts, or cut-off shirts.
3.
Sandal
style shoes, dirty shoes, or dirty socks
4.
Caps,
hats, or headbands.
5.
T-shirts
or sweatshirts, except BRTC logo shirts.
C.
Appropriate
attire for physical training or defensive tactics training will be:
1.
Sweatshirts;
or
2.
Plain
T-shirts, (BRTC logo T-shirts may be worn), and gym shorts.
3.
Gym
shoes or athletic shoes; and
4.
Proper
support devices; and
5.
Clean
socks.
D.
Appropriate
attire for firearms and other outside practical training will be:
1.
Same
as classroom; or
2.
Military
style clothing, or
NOTE: Same
prohibitions as classroom with exception of caps.
E.
Students
will present a neat appearance while in class.
F.
Squad
leaders will report any violations of dress rules or act on any problems that should
be corrected in order to ensure conformity to above rules and to maintain
proper discipline. Daily inspections
are encouraged.
Section F…………Sick Call
F1. Illness or injury will be reported to BRTC/LETA staff
immediately. Once the immediate concern
of the injury is determined, a memorandum detailing the injury, cause,
extent, and doctor’s recommendation shall be drafted and submitted to the
BRTC/LETA director.
F2. The BRTC Law Enforcement Training Academy is not liable for
hospital care or medication.
F3. Any student under a doctor’s care or taking prescribed
medication shall report to the BRTC/LETA staff. All prescribed medication shall be retained at all times by the
student.
Section G…………Academic
Matters
G.1 The instructors accept, desire, and encourage questions
provided they represent an honest attempt to gain information. Students must have a sincere interest, an
open mind, and a desire to learn theory, techniques, and procedures in order to
successfully complete their program.
G.2 Utmost courtesy will be extended to all visiting instructors
and visitors.
G.3 Exam reviews will be conducted following the exam at a time
established by the BRTC/LETA instructor.
G.4 Any adjustments in your final score will only be made after
approval of the BRTC/LETA director.
Section H…………Academic
Requirement
H.1 In order to complete the Basic Training Course, the student
must achieve a minimum grade of 70% in each academic block of instruction or
higher if required for a particular certification course, and any particular
course proficiency requirements. These
are separate scores and not an overall average grade.
H.2 The practical exercises, within each academic block of
instruction, are designed to apply classroom instruction and also test the
officer’s ability to work with other officers.
H.3 Students failing a specific week’s academic block examination
will be allowed to re-test following the failed exam. Failure to appear at the designated time for the re-test will
result in automatic termination from the Basic Police Training Class. The maximum grade for a retest is 70%.
H.4 Any change from the scheduled day and time for re-test must be
approved by BRTC/LETA staff.
H.5 Any test grades will be posted by BRTC policy standards.
H.6 The student with the top academic score will receive an award
during graduation.
Section I…………Academic Grading Formula
I.1 The total number of points received by the student will be
added and divided by the total number of possible points, then multiplied by
100 to give the student an accurate percentage score for a block of
instruction. EXAMPLE:
In
the first block of training, the student earned 65 out of possible 70 points on
a written examination. The student
calculates his final score for the block of training.
#1
– Earned Points = 65
#2
– Possible Points = 70
#3
– Earned Points (65) divided by possible points (70) = 0.9285
#4
– 0.9285 X 100 = 92.85%
Section J…………Firearms Training
J.1 A firearms qualification score of 80% minimum will also be
required before a student is graduated from the Basic Police Training
Course. The student must qualify while
attending the Basic Course.
J.2 Students will fire the Speed and Accuracy Course for
qualification. Each course will require
50 rounds of ammunition and there will be a possible score of 500 points. To be certified, 80% or 400 points must be fired
twice, in time, during range fire designated for qualification.
J.3 Students failed to make the two qualifying scores as required
shall be allowed to re-test.
J.4 The two (2) highest qualifying scores will be used to
determine the student’s overall firearms average. This qualification average will also be used to determine the
awarding of an award at graduation for the top shooter.
Section K…………Class Leader
K.1 No
student will be appointed as class leader, unless it is determined by the
BRTC/LETA Director that it is in the best interest of the class to do so.
Section L…………Squad Leaders
L.1 The class will be divided into squads. The procedure to select students to be
assigned as Squad Leader for his/her assigned squad will be determined by the
BRTC/LETA Director.
L2. Authority:
The Squad Leader shall have authority to make decisions
concerning the general welfare and safety within his squad. These decisions will stand until reviewed by
a higher authority.
L.3 General
Responsibilities:
1.
Account
for all members of the squad at any and all formations.
2.
To
collect any memos from squad members.
3.
To
make sure squad members are present and on time for classroom and/or practical
activities.
4.
To
keep BRTC/LETA staff and instructors informed of any problems within the squad.
5.
To
notify squad members of any orders, requests, or information given by BRTC/LETA staff, or other person in
authority.
6.
To
notify BRTC/LETA staff immediately concerning illness or injury of any squad
member and lost or stolen items from any squad member.
7.
To
ensure all members of your squad follow the Law Enforcement Training Academy
Rules & Regulations for conduct.
Section M…………Chain of Command
Training Academy Director
BRTC/LETA staff/instructor
Squad Leader
M.1 Any student wishing to discuss any matter concerning LETA
problems must follow this chain of command, except instances involving sexual
or racial harassment.
M.2 Any student using the chain of command has the right to appeal
any decision. The right to appeal does
not allow any student to bypass any step in the chain of command, except
instances involving sexual or racial harassment.
Section N…………Disciplinary
Action
N.1 The disciplinary action taken in any situation involving
violations of LETA Rules & Regulations will be based on the results of an
investigation of the alleged act. The
disciplinary action taken may be admonishment, assignment of additional duties
while attending the Basic Class, verbal or written reprimand, or immediate
dismissal from the Academy. (See Discipline Policy)
N.2 The penalty for violations of rules that may bring discredit to
the Law Enforcement Training Academy or your department will be immediate
dismissal.
N.3 The right of the student to due process will be observed.
Section O…………Use of State
Property
O.1 Students are responsible for all state property issued to them
and such property must be returned before the student leaves Black River
Technical College Law Enforcement Training Academy. Additionally, students shall not remove any state property from
its assigned location without authorization.
Section P…………Physical
Fitness Program
P.1 ALL STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM
TO THEIR FULLEST ABILITY.
P.2 Students
will be tested in physical fitness to record improvements.
a. If
injury or sickness occurs during the program, a doctor’s opinion on the
condition will be required and an evaluation made as to the student’s
continuing or dropping from Basic Training.
b.
If physical condition prevents student
from participating at an acceptable level, they will be dropped from Basic
Training to allow conditions to improve.
P.3 The
top student in Physical Fitness will receive an award during graduation.
P.4 The
Defensive Tactics Program shall be participated in.
Section Q…………Handouts
Q.1 Each student will read and study handouts and subject material
prior to class and during their free time.
Some test questions will come from handout materials.
Section R…………Fire Emergency
R.1 In case of fire, or if an fire alarm is activated in the
building, all students shall leave the building by the nearest exit and gather in
the north parking lot of the BRTC/LETA building.
R.2 In any emergency, the Squad Leaders shall ascertain that all
students are present.
Section S…………Veterans
Administration Benefits
The Law Enforcement Training Academy Basic
Police Training Classes are approved by the State Approving Agency for
Veterans, which enables all eligible veterans to receive educational benefits
while attending these classes and other higher education assistance programs.
Necessary application forms may be obtained
from the Black River Technical College Financial Aid Office.
Section T…………Awarding of College Credit Upon
Completion of Basic Police Training
T.1 The awarding of college credit hours for the courses during the
Basic Police Training course is contingent upon students applying and meeting
Black River Technical College admission procedures as required by the Arkansas
Department of Higher Education.
Section U…………Staff/Student
Relationship
U.1 The integrity of the Law Enforcement Training Academy must be
maintained. In order to do so and
provide the best instruction available to students, instructional staff contact
will be limited to the classroom.
Outside contact away form the Black River Technical College premises or
extra tutoring outside of the daily-subscribed schedule cannot be permitted
without the specific approval of the BRTC/LETA director.
U.2 While in attendance at BRTC/LETA, students are expected to
maintain a professional relationship with the staff and other students.
U.3 Instructors at the BRTC/LETA are here for the purpose of
providing students with education and training as much as possible while you
are a student. Any questions or help
that can be provided during breaks or before and after classroom time will be
permitted for the purpose of helping students in every way possible in a
professional manner.
Section V…………Academy
Withdrawal
V.1 The student’s agency enrolls him/her in the Basic Training
Program. Therefore, only the agency can
withdraw the student.
V.2 Withdrawals can be made only for reasons in the best interest of
BRTC/LETA as determined by the Director or, medical reasons which are
compelling; injuries which would restrict of further injure the student; or
death or serious illness of an immediate family member that disrupts the
student’s ability to productively continue his/her training.
V.3 If the student is withdrawn, he/she will be enrolled into the
next available Basic Class at the beginning of the week in which he/she was
withdrawn.
V.4 The student’s grade averages will transfer to the new class.
V.5 Unofficial withdrawals or leave will result in failure of the
Basic Academy.
Discipline Policy
A discipline policy for persons attending the
Basic Course must positively reinforce the training received. It must provide for consistency and be
lawful in its application. Furthermore,
it should serve as part of the foundation for establishing the values of a
successful law enforcement career.
Dissemination of Rules, Regulations, &
Conduct Standards
Each participant will be provided with copies
of the Black River Technical College Law Enforcement Training Academy Handbook
that include the standard of academic performance as well as personal conduct
expected.
Progressive Discipline
Although disciplinary action must be
consistent with the conduct, or poor academic performance which caused it, many
instances will require that it can be shown that the subject knew that the
conduct could result in discipline.
Prior discipline, administered for a similar or more serious incident
serves this purpose in part. The
administration of any discipline, other than dismissal, must include an
admonition that any future misconduct or less than satisfactory performance
will result in a more severe form of discipline. Therefore, it would be appropriate for an incident that called
for one level of discipline to receive a higher level if it could be shown that
the student had been previously disciplined for a similar incident.
Discipline must serve to bring unacceptable
conduct to an end, and it can only do so if its effectiveness is not weakened
by improper administration. The level
of disciplinary action administered will be determined by the level of seriousness
of the violation and adverse effect on the ability to maintain discipline of
the other students.
Levels of Disciplinary Action
Training and/or Counseling
At this level the subject or the discipline
is advised in the clearest terms of the breach in conduct or procedure. Steps outlined to remedy the problem cited
could include additional training.
Caution must be exercised if the “extra training” is physical (e.g.,
pushups or laps) because this type of activity could be regarded as punishment
and not related to, for instance, poor academic performance. Furthermore, extra physical training may be
inconsistent by its nature due to the various levels of physical condition of
student officers. In any case, the subject
is admonished that a further violation or similar incident could result in more
severe discipline.
Verbal Reprimand
This is administered verbally by informing
the subject of the violation and the consequences of further misconduct. A written notation of the reprimand and
brief statement about the violation should be retained and signed by the
subject acknowledging the entry.
Written Reprimand
This level of discipline results in formal
correspondence from the Academy administration to the subject’s agency. It describes the conduct of the subject that
resulted in the disciplinary action and clearly admonishes the subject that a
further violation or continued unacceptable performance could lead to dismissal
from the program.
Dismissal From the Academy
The Director of the Black River Technical
College Law Enforcement Training Academy can only administer this level of
discipline.
Legal Issues Statement
It shall be the BRTC/LETA policy when
considering the administration of discipline for Academy participants, to
exercise due process requirements, which include administrative hearings. The issue of fair and equal treatment is
significant in all cases.