The Town of Yorktown, Indiana

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Training

Training
 
 
All full time police officers are required to complete the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy within their first year of employment. The Academy's Basic course for new police officers consists of over 600 hours of training in a variety of areas. Criminal and traffic law, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, physical tactics, EMS awareness and human behavior are some of the major areas of instruction during this course. A variety of other police related subjects such as accident investigation, criminal investigation, domestic violence and sexual assault, water rescue training, Standardized Field Sobriety Test, crime prevention and drug and narcotics are included in the areas an officer must study before graduating. The course of study is designed to incorporate practical as well as classroom exercises so the officers have a better idea of how they will react to situations they will encounter when they return to their departments.
 
Emergency Vehicle Operations:
This segment of training begins with classroom lectures on topics including operational guidance, legal principles, officer liability, vehicle dynamics, risk management and the process of decision-making needed for collision avoidance.  Next, the students use what they've learned in the classroom in practical driving situations that demonstrate the risks involved in emergency response and pursuit driving.   Through the development, understanding and applied knowledge of the vehicle, reading the roadway, driving skills and behaviors promoted during emergency vehicle operations, basic officers are able to successfully control the stress commonly associated with operating an emergency vehicle.  They also learn vehicle handling and weight transfer techniques for high speed emergency response and pursuit driving.  All officers receive training in the proper use of tire deflation devices.  Students are also trained in driving simulators, which places them in "virtual" situations that law enforcement officers might be faced with.    The student must pass each segment of the driving instruction and a comprehensive written examination. Police officers regularly undergo continuing training through monthly staff meetings and outside seminars. 
 
Physical Training:
Basic police recruits upon reporting to the Academy must successfully complete a mandatory battery of physical fitness components.  These components are the vertical jump, push-ups, sit-ups, 300 meter run and 1.5 mile run.   These same components, with higher standards, must be successfully completed at the end of the Basic Session as well.  The students receive instruction in the area of physical education and fitness by certified staff and have access to some state-of-the-art equipment to help accomplish their fitness goals.

Firearms Training:
Basic police recruits receive lecture and practical firearms instruction from veteran firearms instructors. Subject matter includes topics such as handgun safety and maintenance, fundamentals of shooting, malfunctions, shotgun and the force continuum. Students must shoot a minimum qualifying score with their weapons and pass a comprehensive written examination.
 
Vehicle Crash Investigation:
Basic police recruits receive lecture and practical vehicle crash training from veteran accident investigators. Students must demonstrate both practical and written proficiency in vehicle crash scenarios. Aside from basic recruits, advanced vehicle crash investigation courses are offered to veteran officers.
 
Criminal Investigations:
Basic police recruits receive lecture and practical instruction from veteran criminal investigators which includes interviews and statements, crime scene behavior, interrogations, first responder responsibilities and collection of evidence. Students must demonstrate a practical proficiency in taking statements and conducting a criminal investigation involving a scenario.  The course concludes with a simulated courtroom trial.
 
Physical Tactics:
Basic police recruits receive lecture and practical training in physical tactics from certified veteran physical tactics instructors. This includes training in pressure points, joint locks, handcuffing, strikes/blocks/combinations, straight baton, ground fighting and weapon retention. Students must demonstrate a proficiency in each of the areas and pass a comprehensive written examination.
 
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program:
The Academy has entered into a collaborative agreement with the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) and the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault (INCASA) to provide detailed domestic violence and sexual assault training. The program has been funded by a grant awarded to ICADV and INCASA. Basic police recruits will receive eight hours of training involving victim and officer safety, safety planning, legal issues, impact of arrest, intervention and investigation, victim assistance, overview of sexual assault, police response to sexual assault and a discussion with a panel of domestic survivors.
 
 
Upon completion of the Indiana Law Enforcement academy all officers are required to perform mandatory continued training every year. Topics of continuing training include:
  • Accident investigations;
  • Drug investigations;
  • Child abuse;
  • Emergency vehicle operations;
  • Robbery investigations; and
  • Firearm qualifications.
  • Physical Fitness
All officers on Yorktown Police Department also frequently attend specialized schools and training. Areas of expertise currently held by various members of the Yorktown Police Department include:
 
  • S.W.A.T.(special weapons and tactics) training;
  • Reid Investigation Techniques;
  • Crime Scene Investigation;                                                                    
  • Instructor Development;
  • Fingerprint Analysis

  Sergeant Jeff Whitesell coordinates all training for the Yorktown Police Department.

Contact Us

Jeff Whitesell,
Afternoon Sergeant
9730 W Smith St
Yorktown, IN 47396
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