Agenda Date: 01/15/2019
Subject:
Title
A resolution approving a police recruit training agreement with the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Foundation (HRLETF) academy for recruit police officer training
Body
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Presented By: |
Doug Stephens, Chief of Police |
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION:
Does city council support an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) allowing the Littleton Police Department (LPD) to use the HRLETF academy for recruit police officer training?
BACKGROUND:
The LPD has used a regional training academy for several years for basic academy training and Peace Officer Standards Training (POST) certification of new recruit officers. The HRLETF academy is co-managed by the Douglas County and Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Offices. The HRLETF academy provides all training necessary for non-certified police recruits to receive their required Colorado POST certification which allows them to work as law enforcement officers in this state.
The HRLETF academy provides training to recruits from several metropolitan law enforcement agencies and has successfully trained and certified hundreds of police officers over the last four years, including current LPD officers.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
Previously, LPD recruit police officers were trained at the Jefferson County/Lakewood Combined Academy. However, this academy has recently reduced training hours without a subsequent reduction in cost. LPD recruits will receive more training at HRLETF and with local partners.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The staff, curriculum, and processes utilized by the HRLETF academy provide thorough, high-quality training to recruit police officers for a reasonable fee. The LPD is unable to provide this training to its recruit officers due to staffing and logistical requirements for basic recruit certification.
Academy recruits receive over 700 hours of instruction, including certifications in specialized disciplines such as Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Taser, firearms, emergency driving, arrest control techniques, and other POST-mandated requirements. Since recruits receive these required certifications while in the academy, the LPD saves future costs for the initial certification/training process.
OPTIONS/ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The HRLETF academy provides over 700 hours of instruction for a fee of $6,000 per officer. This fee is similar to fees charged by other metropolitan area police training academies. Funds for police recruit training have already been allocated in the LPD’s 2019 budget as approved by council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the resolution approving the IGA with the HRLETF academy for recruit police officer training be approved.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the resolution approving a police recruit training agreement with the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Foundation (HRLETF) academy for recruit police officer training.