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Law Enforcement Pre-Service

• View Upcoming Law Enforcement Pre-Service Courses

In 1989, the 114th Maine Legislature passed laws mandating the Trustees of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy to establish standards for pre-service training. The purpose of this mandate was to ensure that no person could "serve as a law enforcement officer with the power to make arrests or the authority to carry a firearm until certified as satisfying pre-service training requirements."

To carry out this mandate, a questionnaire comprising over 800 police tasks, equipment, and physical activities was distributed to personnel from 25 different local police and sheriffs departments. Line personnel reviewed each item and indicated how frequently, if at all, they performed each task. Supervisors rated each task in terms of its importance and when it should be learned.

The responses were computerized and the results analyzed to reveal tasks that are performed by local personnel, are important and should be known prior to working "on the street."

These results were compared to the existing Reserve Officer Training Program and numerous changes in content were proposed and approved by the Trustees.

In addition to the changes in curriculum, the Criminal Justice Academy has also prepared a certification process to accompany this instructional program. The elements of the certification process include weapons certification, first aid and a knowledge test. Without passing each of these elements, a candidate will not be certified to make arrests and carry a firearm.

Finally, the pre-service program which follows in no way diminishes the need and obligation of each local police agency to ensure its personnel attend and graduate from the full Basic Police School. The graduates of the pre-service program have received only 100 hours of instruction and must be closely supervised by their hiring agency to ensure that the norms of proper police performance are met.

You may download the Law Enforcement Pre-Service Application Packet here. Law Enforcement Pre-Service Application.

If you have further questions about the Pre-Service, contact Debra Andrews at the Academy.

Upcoming Law Enforcement Pre-Service Courses:

Date	Location	Fees
Sept. 24 – Oct. 10, 2008	Maine Criminal Justice Academy	$350.00
Sept. 23 - Jan. 15, 2009	York Community College	$375.00
Mar. 18 - Apr. 3, 2009	Maine Criminal Justice Academy	$350.00
May 27 - June 12, 2009	York Community College	$375.00

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