Professional Standards / Training

Law Enforcement Training
TRAINING

Police Officer training is a vital component to the Simpsonville Police Department and the citizens of Simpsonville.  Officer education never ends in the law enforcement profession.  The training division is responsible for providing continuing education to the men and women of the police department so that they provide the best level of service to the citizens.  The training program begins as soon as an officer is hired and continues until the day that officer retires.   If you have any questions pertaining to training please contact Lt. Scott Magaw at smagaw@simpsonvillepd.com.

BASIC TRAINING

The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy is the primary training unit for all officers in South Carolina.  The Simpsonville Police Department's training division is responsible for preparing new recruits for the academy.  While at the academy, officers learn the basic fundamentals of law enforcement.   Upon successful graduation of the academy, officers return to the Simpsonville Police Department and enter the Field Training Program.   Basic Law Enforcement training is either a 6 or 12-week program based on the recruit's previous law enforcement experience.  More information on the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy can be found at www.sccja.sc.gov.

FIELD TRAINING

The Field Training Program is a 14 week program that provides a structured foundation for newly hired employees to reach the highest level of service.   Experienced officers may have a shortened FTO period.  The Field Training Program is a critiquing process for the acceptance of the new recruit in the department.  While in the Field Training Program, new recruits are assigned to a certified Field Training Officer (FTO).  FTOs are veteran officers who have attended a specific training course for training new recruit officers.  During the 14 week period, new recruits will be guided in specific functions of the Simpsonville Police Department and taught response techniques for service calls related to the City of Simpsonville and the law enforcement profession.   After successful completion of the Field Training Program, new recruits are assigned to a shift as a single operating Patrol Officer in the Uniform Patrol Division. 

MANDATED TRAINING

To maintain certification, officers must meet certain training criteria every year.  This training is required by the SC Criminal Justice Academy and the South Carolina Training Act.  Mandated training topics include Firearms qualifications, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Legal Updates, Criminal Domestic Violence Updates and other approved in-service topics.  The training must total a minimum of 40 hours every 3 years. Although the SC Criminal Justice Academy mandates the above aforementioned training hours, the Simpsonville Police Department's demands are much more stringent.  

ADVANCED TRAINING

One of the core values of the Simpsonville Police Department is the career development of its officers and civilian employees.  The training division prides itself on providing officers with opportunities to receive advanced training throughout the officer's career in topics that interest officers or are necessary to their respective position within the department.  Advanced training topics include, but are not limited to: Traffic Enforcement and Accident Reconstruction, Criminal Investigations, Vice &  Narcotics, Tactical Operations, School and Community Oriented Policing, Emergency Communications, Police Ethics, Biased Based Policing, Cultural Diversity, Police Supervision, and many others.  Ample training opportunities are available and provided to all employees.

INSTRUCTORS

The Training Division is comprised several state-certified instructors within the Simpsonville Police Department.  Instructor Certifications include Basic Instructor Development, Specific Skills, Firearms, Driving, Ground Defense, DUI and SFST, Speed Measurement Devices, ASP, Taser, OC and others.  Our instructors are full time officers assigned to different divisions in the department.  Each instructor has been certified in respective fields of instruction.