Basic Course for Police Officers - Use of Force Curriculum
December 13 - 14, 2017
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Public Safety is in the process of completing a comprehensive review and update of the Municipal Police Training Council's (MPTC) Basic Course for Police Officers (BCPO). During the September 6, 2017 MPTC meeting, the Council approved a new section of instruction on the topic of use of force. This new section, entitled Use of Physical Force and Deadly Physical Force will impact the BCPO as well as other related programs that utilize BCPO for instruction and/or equivalency. Additionally, this change will affect the basic training, Initial Course in Firearms, initial other weapon(s) course and use of force training requirements for non-custodial peace officers. The following is a brief summary of the changes that have been made to the curriculum and an overview of the implementation plan for instructors to become familiar with the new curriculum.
Overview of Changes:
The Justification - Use of Physical Force and Deadly Physical Force section has been replaced by the new Use of Force and Deadly Physical Force section and the minimum number of hours of instruction has increased from seven to eleven. Whereas the former section focused almost entirely on the NYS Penal Law - Article 35 Defense of Justification, the new section focuses primarily upon the constitutionally derived standard of objective reasonableness and understanding how the courts view police use of force. The new section also explores the role of police in society and helps the recruit to understand the expectations that the public as regarding the use of force by police.
Implementation Requirements of New Curriculum for Police and Peace Basic Training:
The change in the focus of this section is significant. The Municipal Police Training Council (MPTC) recognizes the degree to which the section has been changed and the importance of a consistent delivery statewide. Therefore, the MPTC is requiring all instructors who will deliver this new lesson receive specialized instruction. Because of this, DCJS has created an implementation plan which includes providing this instruction to those trainers who teach this module of training. These two-day updates will be offered regionally across New York State in 4 locations, including: Erie, Onondaga, Albany, and Westchester Counties. These training sessions will be conducted in a timely fashion in an effort to prepare academies to begin using the new curriculum by the required dates for police and peace officers - as outlined below.
- Police Officer Training Implementation: (Basic Course for Police Officers and Specialized Investigator Police Training Course)
- All training academies and agencies submitting course curricula for approval to conduct a Basic Course for Police Officers and/or Specialized Investigator Police Training Course that would begin on or after January 1, 2018 must utilize the new Police Use of Force and Deadly Physical Force curriculum. Instruction must also be provided by a DCJS approved general topics instructor who has successfully completed the two-day Use of Force curriculum overview.
- Peace Officer Training Implementation: (Basic Course for Peace Officers, Basic Course for Campus Public Safety Officers, Initial Course in Firearms, and any initial other weapon(s) course)
- All training academies and agencies submitting course curricula for approval to conduct any of the above listed basic peace officer trainings other than those who serve in a custodial function (corrections officers) that would begin on or after September 1, 2018 must utilize the new Use of Force and Deadly Physical Force curriculum. Instruction must also be provided by a DCJS approved general topics instructor who has successfully completed the two-day Use of Force curriculum overview.
Use of Force Curriculum Two-day Overview Offerings:
While every effort will be made to accommodate as many academies and agencies as possible to meet this new instructor requirement, first preference will be given to those officers who actively teach this topic at the Basic Course for Police Officer and Specialized Investigator Police Training Course to meet the January 1, 2018 requirement. Based on the cadre of approved instructors that will be established as a result of the series of DCJS hosted courses outlined below, DCJS will evaluate the need to offer additional courses in 2018 to further support the implementation of the new use of force curriculum in peace officer training by September 1, 2018
Due to the incorporation of active learning exercises, seating will be limited. To aid in the task of reaching all qualified instructors in New York State and maximize limited seating, DCJS asks that you submit registrations for your academy's primary and secondary use of force lodging costs for the evening in between the two training days for those who must travel a distance greater than 35 miles.
The Use of Force Two-day Update Training will be offered in the following locations during 2017:
- Westchester County (Valhalla) - October 18 - 19, 2017
- Onondaga County (Syracuse) - November 8 - 9, 2017
- Albany County (Albany) - November 15 - 16, 2017
- Erie County (Williamsville) - December 13 - 14, 2017
Pre-registration is required. All interested parties must register two weeks prior to the course. The location of training and class times will be provided through an email confirmation; therefore you must register in order to attend. Course registration must be completed online HERE.
If you have any questions about the training, please contact Mike Puckett by email at michael.puckett@dcjs.ny.gov or by telephone at 518-457-4917