In light of recent national events, the Greenville Police Department has received questions about training and standards for current police officers. Some of the topics of particular public interest include but are not limited to: Implicit Bias, De-escalation and Use of Force, and Officer Wellness.

Training for the Greenville Police Department is guided by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education Training and Standards Commission.  The Commission researches and develops curriculum for in-service training that is required of sworn law enforcement officers each year in order to maintain their certification.  This list of required courses stays consistent, however, it will adjust depending on current events and issues that have become prevalent.  The Commission also reviews conduct and applications for law enforcement officers and requires certifications to remain updated.

Training is also guided and shaped by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).  This is a voluntary certification that the Greenville Police Department participates in.  In order to be accredited, the Department must meet stringent standards set forth by the Commission.  These standards are reviewed periodically and the Greenville Police Department has excelled in meeting the standards.

The Greenville Police Department's scheduled training goes above and beyond what is required by Training and Standards and CALEA.

The following is a list of required training that was mandated by the Training and Standards Commission over the last 3 years. Many of these topics and objectives speak directly to the training questions raised that are of public concern and demonstrates how the state of NC and GPD remain committed to ongoing training in these key areas: 

2020

Armed/Unarmed Security/Company Police: Understanding Their Roles and Authority

Training Objectives: 

• Discuss the authority of an armed and unarmed security guard and their documentation and uniform requirements.
• Discuss the authority of a “Private Investigator” in the performance of their duties and the provisions under which they may carry a firearm.
• Discuss the carrying of a firearm on educational property (public school or private school) by a security guard or private investigator.
• Identify the only authorized North Carolina private investigator badge and how it is to be carried and/or displayed.
• Define “proprietary” security versus “contract” security.
• List the charges a law enforcement officer can levy for violations of N.C. General Statute § 74C and/or any unlicensed security or private investigative activity.
• Discuss the jurisdictional authority of a company police officer.

Career Survival: Training and Standards Issues

 Training Objectives: 

• Explain the purpose of the Criminal Justice and Sheriffs’ Education & Training Standards Commissions and discuss the roles of both their Standards Divisions.
• List and describe how issues regarding “moral character” manifest during employment, the consequences of those actions, and discuss the Commissions’ roles in resolving those matters.
• Describe the various instructor certifications, the process for obtaining and maintaining them, and their relevance to career planning.
• Accurately locate sections of the North Carolina Administrative Code as well as other professional resources, for the purpose of finding answers to common criminal justice personnel concerns.

Communication Strategies When Encountering Persons Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Training Objectives: 

• List and describe the four (4) categories of deaf individuals.
• Name the most common behaviors deaf or hard of hearing individuals display when trying to communicate during a stressful situation.
• Explain and identify legislation enacted to improve communication between the deaf or hard of hearing and the law enforcement community. Define auxiliary aids and how these aids can be used to effectively communicate with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Provide a minimum of two (2) approaches law enforcement agencies can adopt to more effectively communicate with the deaf or hard of hearing.

 Firearms Training and Qualification

 Training Objectives: 

• Discuss and use the provisions of N.C. General Statute §15A-401(d)(2) – Use of Deadly Force, as well as any departmental policy relating to the use of force. 

Legal Update

Training Objectives: 

• Discuss relevant federal and state case law as it applies to North Carolina law enforcement officers.
• Review relevant North Carolina statutory changes and the practical implications for law enforcement officers.
• Discuss any changes implemented by the North Carolina General Assembly or other government entities that would impact law enforcement.

Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity

Training Objectives: 

• Define toxic stress.
• Describe how toxic stress impacts the development of minority youth.
• Describe how trauma-informed officers might interact effectively with minority youth. 

Bloodborne Pathogens

 Training Objectives: 

• Review the purpose of the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030.
• Characterize the general symptoms and epidemiology of bloodborne diseases.
• Distinguish the modes of transmission for bloodborne pathogens.
• Identify tasks and other activities, which may involve exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.
• Demonstrate methods, which prevent or reduce exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.
• Illustrate the appropriate selection, storage, use, and disposal of personal protective equipment.
• Outline the components of their employer's Bloodborne Exposure Control Plan to include: 

1.  Appropriate actions and persons to contact in an emergency involving blood or other potentially infectious materials;
2. Procedure to follow if an exposure incident occurs; and
3. Information on post-exposure evaluation and follow-up.

Hazardous Materials

Training Objectives: 

• Define “hazardous materials” and the risks associated with them during a hazardous materials incident.
• Describe the duties of an awareness-level first responder at the scene of a hazardous materials incident.
• List methods used to recognize the presence of a hazardous material, to include the identification of the possible material or substance based on readily available clues.
• Demonstrate the ability to use the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook in identifying a hazardous material and appropriate first responder actions, to include notifying additional resources.
• Recognize hazards when responding to potential incidents involving illicit drug laboratories and chemical suicides and how to implement appropriate protective measures. 

Situational Awareness/Subject Control

Training Objectives: 

• Describe in writing ten (10) desirable attributes of a survival-oriented law enforcement officer.
• List components of mental and physical preparation.
• List and explain the level of force used, if any.
• Demonstrate the use of pressure points to control certain levels of resistant behavior.
• Demonstrate techniques of control for various levels of assaultive and resistive behavior.
• Demonstrate weapon retention and weapon disarming techniques.

The Signs Within: Suicide Prevention Education and Awareness

 Training Objectives: 

• Discuss why suicide is a public health problem.
• Identify risk and protective factors and related interventions for suicidal individuals, particularly criminal justice professionals who are suicidal.
• Discuss resources available to help cope with stress and mental disorders relevant to stress.

2019

Firearms (GPD policy on use of force to include de-escalation)

Training Objectives:

• Discuss and use the provisions of N.C. General Statue § 15A-401 (d) (2) - Use of Deadly Force, as well as any departmental policy relating to the use of force.

CPR

Training Objectives:

• The purpose of the courses in the First Aid/CPR/AED program is to help participants recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies to know to give immediate care to a suddenly injured or ill person until more advanced medical personnel arrive and take over.
• Show proficiency in the ability to perform CPR in skills testing.

Best Practices for Officers During Community Dissent

Training Objectives:

• Discuss relevant federal and state law as it applies to speech and lawful gatherings.
• List five intelligence-led policing objectives when preparing for or encountering community dissent.
• Describe best practices regarding transparency in communication regarding pre-incident or active incident community dissent.

Fair and Impartial

Training Objectives:

• Recognize your own human biases.
• Understand how implicit biases can affect your perceptions and behavior.
• Understand how biased policing impacts community members and the department.
• Understand how Fair and Impartial training supports procedural justice and thus police legitimacy.
• Develop skills and tactics to reduce the influence of bias on police practice and allow you to be safe, effective and just police professionally. 

Legal Update

Training Objectives:

• Discuss relevant federal and state case law as it applies to North Carolina law enforcement officers.
• Review relevant North Carolina statutory changes and the practical implications for law enforcement officers.
• Discuss and changes implemented by the NC General Assembly or other government entities that would impact law enforcement.

Mental Illness Update

Training Objectives:

• List the unique stressors associated with a career in law enforcement for both the officer, telecommunicators, and other members of the department.
• Identify the barriers that have traditionally prevented people in the law enforcement culture from accessing mental health and/or substance use resources.
• List resources for self-care.
• Properly complete a CIT Data Sheet as required for CALEA Standards.

Individual Wellness:  Coping with Stress & PTSD

Training Objectives:

• Define stress, including eustress and distress.
• Describe the positive and negative impacts of stress.
• Evaluate possible ways to identify and cope with stress, including problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies.
• Identify disorders relevant to stress, including adjustment disorder, acute stress disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Discuss resources available to help criminal justice professionals and family cope with stress and mental disorders relevant to stress.

Domestic Violence:  Law and Procedure Update

Training Objectives:

• Review current domestic violence laws and procedures as it applies to North Carolina law enforcement officers.
• Review the requirements for reporting child abuse, neglect, and dependency.
• Examine methods for conducting a criminal investigation as an evidence-based domestic violence prosecution if the victim is unable or unwilling to cooperate.

Hazardous Materials

Training Objectives:

• Define “hazardous materials” and the risks associated with them during a hazardous materials incident.
• Describe the duties of an awareness-level first responder at the scene of hazardous materials incident.
• List methods used to recognize the presence of a hazardous material, to include the identification of the possible material or substance based on the readily available clues.
• Demonstrate the ability to use the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook in identifying a hazardous material and appropriate first responder actions, to include notifying additional resources. 

Juvenile Law Update

Training Objectives:

• Review current juvenile law and discuss options available to criminal justice professionals
• Discuss the importance of promoting relationship building with minority youth as a key to delinquency prevention.

Rapid Deployment

Training Objectives:

• Define the term “rapid deployment.”
• List the types of situations that may involve and “active shooter” requiring an immediate response.
• During a practical exercise, demonstrate your ability to assume the role of one of the four positions on a contact team and respond to an active shooter in a school-like setting.
• During a practical exercise, demonstrate your ability to assume the role of one of the four positions on a rescue team and respond to an active shooter in a school-like setting.

Opioid Awareness and Response

Training Objectives:

• Review current trends related to heroin and opioid use.
• Recognize hazards and risks associated with opioids and fentanyl.
• Identify resources and information available to assist in hazardous drug-related matters.

2018 

Equality in Policing

Training Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the changing social and cultural demographics of North Carolina.
• Identify social and political climates that create tension between criminal justice professionals and the community.
• Identify the three dimensions of diversity and their relevance in providing equitable delivery of police services.
• Develop an understanding of the impact of subcultures on police interactions with the public.
• Discuss techniques criminal justice professionals might adopt to meet community expectations.
• Identify techniques that contribute to enhancing the perceived legitimacy of a criminal justice agency and support the concepts of equality in policing.

Communication Skills With Persons in Crisis (De-Escalation Techniques)

Training Objectives:

• Define de-escalation.
• List and discuss key inter-related de-escalation components.
• Identify techniques that improve an officer’s ability to de-escalate themselves and fellow officers.
• Identify techniques that improve an officer’s ability to de-escalate situations.
• Review resources available for those potentially in need of emotional or mental health assistance.

Hazardous Materials

Training Objectives:

• Define “hazardous materials” and the risks associated with them during a hazardous materials incident.
• Describe the duties of an awareness-level first responder at the scene of hazardous materials incident.
• List methods used to recognize the presence of a hazardous material, to include the identification of the possible material or substance based on the readily available clues.
• Demonstrate the ability to use the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook in identifying a hazardous material and appropriate first responder actions, to include notifying additional resources.  

Legal Update

Training Objectives:

• Discuss relevant federal and state case law as it applies to North Carolina law enforcement officers.
• Review relevant North Carolina statutory changes and the practical implications for law enforcement officers.

Rapid Deployment

Training Objectives:

• Define the term “rapid deployment.”
• List the types of situations that may involve and “active shooter” requiring an immediate response.
• During a practical exercise, demonstrate your ability to assume the role of one of the four positions on a contact team and respond to an active shooter in a business like setting. 
• During a practical exercise, demonstrate your ability to assume the role of one of the four positions of a rescue team responding to an active shooter in a business.  
• For supervisory personnel during a practical setting demonstrate the ability to properly maintain control of an active shooter scene.

 Firearms (GPD policy on use of force to include de-escalation)

Training Objectives:

• Discuss and use the provisions of N.C. General Statue § 15A-401 (d) (2) - Use of Deadly Force, as well as any departmental policy relating to the use of force.

Subject Control-Arrest Techniques (SC-AT) (includes use of force policy and de-escalation)

Training Objectives:

• Identify OC policy revisions.
• Identify the common dangers to officers and suspects when OC Spray is used during the use of force.
• Identify proper post-exposure care procedures for a suspect on whom OC Spray has been used against.
• Explain when to, and not use, an ASP Baton (to include policy restrictions).
• Demonstrate proper handcuffing techniques in various positions.
• Demonstrate the ability to properly strike an attacking subject.
• Demonstrate Off balancing techniques to allow for easier takedowns.

Strategies to Improve Law Enforcement Interactions and Relationships with Minority Youth

Training Objectives:

• Examine factors influencing minority juvenile decision-making.
• Identify effective communication skills when interacting with juveniles.
• Examine techniques for defusing and de-escalating situations with anxious or defiant youth.

Verbal Judo

Training Objectives:

• Enhance Officer Safety while dealing with the public and suspects.
• Demonstrate enhanced professionalism while dealing with the general public or suspects.
• Be able to decrease citizen complaints.
• Be able to decrease vicarious liability.
• Be able to lessen personal stress on the job and at home.
• Be able to articulate yourself better while giving testimony in court.
• Be able to increase and sustain your own morale while working.

In addition, CALEA requires that annual training be held on the following topics:

• Ethics
• Bias Based Profiling
• Use of Force policies
• Firearms
• Subject Control
• Less Lethal-Taser

The Greenville Police Department’s training goes beyond the minimum standards and incorporates decision making on responses to resistance and aggression.  This has been implemented in firearms training (shoot/don’t shoot), rapid deployment, and taser training.  Rapid decision making has also been evaluated using a VIRTRA system that puts officers in virtual scenarios.  Officers travel to Nash Community College for this opportunity.