G.O. 9.02 - Academy Training

Disclaimer / Scope of the Order

  • This General Order (G.O.) is for departmental use only and:
    • Does not create a higher legal standard of safety or care for third-party claims.
    • Violations may result in departmental administrative sanctions; violations of law may still lead to civil or criminal penalties in court.
  • Rescinds: "Any Previous NPD Academy Training Policy."
  • Applicable to all Norwich Police Department (NPD) personnel.
  • POSTC Accreditation Standards referenced:
    • (1.13.1a)(1.13.1a) – Training on agency policies / orientation.
    • (1.13.3)(1.13.3) – Review of recruit training records.
    • (2.9.4)(2.9.4) – Orientation for civilian personnel.
    • (3.9.5)(3.9.5) – Orientation handbook contents.

I. Purpose

  • Establish a written directive delineating NPD’s procedures for its basic recruit police-officer academy training program.

II. Policy Statement

  • POSTC Certification Requirement
    • All NPD officers must meet state-mandated basic-training standards set by the Connecticut Police Officers Standards and Training Council (POSTC).
  • Record Review Prior to Field Training
    • NPD will review a newly hired officer’s academy records to verify alignment with NPD standards before the officer enters the Field Training & Evaluation Program (FTEP).
  • Certification Equivalency
    • Graduation from the Connecticut Police Training Academy (CPTA) is considered proof of compliance with POSTC standards.
    • Officers certified elsewhere may be required to attend selected CPTA modules as determined by POSTC before release to FTEP.
  • Condition of Employment
    • Recruits must successfully complete basic training and obtain POSTC certification; failure results in no swearing-in as an officer.
  • Operational Limits for Newly Sworn Officers
    • Officers are not permitted to make arrests or carry firearms until completing all POSTC-required training, except when functioning within the structured FTO program.

III. Procedure

A. Recruit Training Academy Administration
  • NPD does not operate its own academy.
  • All recruits attend either:
    • The Connecticut Police Training Academy, or
    • Another POSTC-approved equivalent academy.
B. Recruit Training Academy Faculty & Facilities
  • Because NPD has no academy, recruits train at facilities owned/managed by external agencies.
C. Relationship Between NPD & Outside Academies
  • POSTC legally defines:
    • All basic-recruit certification requirements.
    • Annual re-certification mandates for sworn officers in Connecticut.
  • NPD relies on outside academies for:
    • Basic recruit training.
    • In-service courses.
    • Specialized training.
  • Training Sergeant as Liaison
    • Serves as the primary point of contact with external academies.
    • Responsibilities:
    • Review academy agendas for content relevance/quality.
    • Conduct periodic audits of recruit performance records (records are kept by the academy but remain accessible to NPD).
    • Provide feedback/input regarding curriculum improvements.
  • Resource Support
    • While staffing/facilities are the academy’s responsibility, NPD may volunteer:
    • Personnel (instructors, evaluators).
    • Physical facilities.
    • Other instructional resources.
D. Academy Orientation Handbook (Meets (3.9.5)(3.9.5))
  • Distributed to every recruit on day one of the academy.
  • Contents include:
    1. Organization of the academy.
    2. Rules & regulations governing recruits.
    3. Rating, testing, and value systems (grading criteria).
    4. Physical-fitness & proficiency-skill requirements.
    5. Daily training schedules.
E. Training on NPD Policies, Procedures, Rules, & Regulations
1. Universal Employee Orientation
  • All employees (sworn & civilian) receive policy training via:
    • Employee Orientation Program.
    • Field Training & Evaluation Program (FTEP) for sworn officers.
  • Training is delivered by:
    • The FTO Coordinator or designee during FTEP.
2. Employee Orientation Training Program Details (Meets (1.13.1a)(1.13.1a) & (2.9.4)(2.9.4))
  • Objective: Furnish key information before entering FTEP.
  • Civilian Personnel
    • Receive job-benefit briefings from the City Personnel Department.
    • Must complete in-service policy training under their supervisor within (1 year)(1\ \text{year}) of hire.
  • Orientation Topics (baseline list; tailored by employee classification):
    • Standards of Conduct – Rules & Regulations Manual.
    • General Order Manual contents.
    • Collective Bargaining Agreement (if applicable).
    • Department organization and a guided facility tour.
    • Written Directive System – how policies are issued/updated.
    • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) overview.
    • Ethics & professional conduct guidelines.
    • State Accreditation Program familiarization.
    • Sexual Harassment prevention & reporting protocols.
    • Citizen Complaint Procedures.
    • Community-Oriented & Problem-Solving Policing (COP/POP) philosophy.
    • Victim/Witness Assistance Programs and related resources.
Practical & Ethical Implications
  • Ensures uniform professional standards across all officers entering NPD.
  • Reduces legal liability by mandating POSTC compliance prior to granting arrest powers.
  • Promotes community trust through consistent policy orientation (e.g., COP/POP, ethics, harassment prevention).
  • Establishes clear pathways for continuous improvement via liaison feedback to academies.
Cross-Reference / Connected Material
  • Builds upon prior directives relating to:
    • FTO Program General Orders (for on-the-job training specifics).
    • NPD Rules & Regulations Manual (conduct standards).
    • Accreditation files demonstrating POSTC compliance.
  • Reinforces foundational policing principles (e.g., use-of-force, constitutional policing) through mandated academy curricula.
Key Numerical / Administrative Data
  • General Order Number: 9.02.
  • Original Issue Date: 03/26/20.
  • Effective/Reissue Date: MM/DD/YY (blank in source; indicates pending updates).
  • Orientation training completion timeline for civilians: ≤1 year\leq 1\ \text{year} from hire.
Summary Cheat-Sheet
  • No NPD academy ➔ All recruits go to CPTA or POSTC-approved academy.
  • POSTC certificate = mandatory before swearing-in.
  • Training Sergeant = key liaison; reviews agendas & records.
  • Orientation handbook covers rules, grading, fitness, schedule.
  • Employee orientation topics span conduct, ethics, COP/POP, harassment, accreditation, etc.
  • Non-completion of academy = no badge, no gun, no arrest powers.
  • Administrative & legal protection: alignment with POSTC minimizes liability.