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TMPA Course Descriptions
Basic Instructor: 40 hours
This course follows the TCLEOSE prescribed curriculum for Basic Instructor Licensing. Students will be required to prepare and teach two lesson plans on a law enforcement related topic. Classroom instruction will be given in the following areas: Teaching/Learning Process, Learning Objective Preparation, Lesson Plan Preparation, Instructional Media, Methods of Instruction, Testing and Evaluation, and Liability Issues related to training.
Arrest, Search & Seizure: 16 hours
Police officers are often involved in searches and seizures for evidence. Search and seizure cases are closely scrutinized by the courts and may result in the overturning of a conviction if proper police procedures have not been followed. It is critical that officers and supervisors are familiar with recent court decisions. Topics will include:
• Probable cause
• Legal elements of a search warrant
• Drafting a search warrant
• Arrest with or without a warrant
• Warrantless searches
Crisis Intervention Training (CIT): 16 hours
The response from law enforcement individuals in serious mental health crises has been problematic for years. Law enforcement agencies across the nation have been sued for using deadly force in these situations. Much of the problem stems from a lack of education regarding mental illness. It is imperative that law enforcement officers educate themselves in ways that are non-confrontational and non-physical emphasizing communication and active listening.
Spanish for Law Enforcement: 32 hours
This course will provide officers with the verbal skills necessary to communicate with the Hispanic population. Using a variety of proven learning methods, students will acquire a significant level of oral literacy. The school addresses street "Tex-Mex" Spanish and will prepare officers to effectively deal with a variety of situations.
Topics will include:
•General communications skills
•Low and high risk vehicle stops
•Interviewing victims and suspects
•Traffic collision interviews
Use of Force: 16 hours
While society authorizes its peace officers to be armed, it closely scrutinizes incidents involving the officer's use of deadly force. This course will explore many of the issues surrounding this very important topic. Topics will include:
• Texas Penal Code Chapter 9
• Liability issues
• Alternatives to using deadly force
• Preventive measures
• Media and community relations
• Social, economic, and political aspects
Background Investigation: 24 hours
A variety of legal and practical issues face the individual charged with the responsibility of investigating backgrounds of police applicants. Resource and time-management techniques are explored, as well as models of correct and cost-effective sequencing of overall selection process.
Field Training Officer: 24 hours
Police management seeks to select, hire, and train the most highly qualified personnel available. Once selection and hiring are complete, the Field Training Officer serves to facilitate the necessary transition from recruit to competent police officer.
Topics will include:
• Counseling techniques
• Human relations skills
• Training techniques and evaluation
• Control and documentation of records
• Role of the field officer
• Elements of FTO selection
• FTO program operation procedures
New Supervisor's Course (3737): 24 hours
This course is designed to meet the TCLEOSE requirements for newly appointed Supervisor Course 3737.
Topics will include:
• Role identification
• Communications
• Leadership styles
• Counseling liability
• Civil rights
Cultural Diversity 3939
This course is comprised of different material than what was contained in the original Cultural Diversity course 3939 to offer some variety to officers who are receiving Course 3939 again in the 2001-2005 training cycle. It is assumed that people taking this course have had previous Cultural Diversity training for the previous bienniums. If licensee has not had that training, it is recommended that material from the previous course be reviewed.
Special Investigative Topics 3232
This course is comprised of five sections: child abuse and neglect; family violence; sexual assault; sex offenders; and general legislative changes
Basic Hostage Negotiation:40 hours
Hostage taking has become a frequent occurrence in the United States. The successful resolution of these incidents requires a knowledge of abnormal behavior, communication and negotiation skills, and a working knowledge of tactics and situation management. This course meets the training requirements prescribed in Penal Code Article 16.02 regarding the interception of wire communications. Topics will include:
•Negotiating concepts and situation management
•Profiling the hostage taker
•Abnormal personalities
•Negotiating techniques/equipment
•The "Stockholm Syndrome"
•Stress management
•Media relations
Accident Investigation - 16 Hours
This class is designed to train the street officer who responds to investigate traffic accidents.
The class will help the investigator answer the most common questions about the accident.
Day 1 - Initial on scene investigation and documentation. From arriving and securing the accident scene, to making, measuring, photographing, and collecting the physical evidence. The student will learn to identify the eight different results of an accident.
Day 2 - The second day will build upon the first day. The student will be able to determine vehicle speeds, yaws, skid tests, vault and falls. Students need to bring to class a hand held calculator.
RADAR - 24 Hours
This is the NHTSA 24 Hour RADAR certification course.
Day 1 - The student will learn about the Doppler Principle, interference, tracking history, cosine effect, the RADAR decision making process, tuning forks, and basic case law. Students are encouraged to bring their department=s RADAR units.
Day 2 - This day is devoted to hands on use of RADAR units. Students will learn about stationary RADAR as well as moving RADAR. In addition, a lab is set up so that students can work with the RADAR units. Students will also be introduced to LIDAR.
Day 3 - This day is used for case preparation and courtroom testimony. Students will work through RADAR cases in order to prepare themselves for court.
Measuring at Traffic Collisions - 16 Hours
Have you been at a traffic collision and were overwhelmed on what to measure? This class will assist the investigating officer in locating, marking, measuring, and recording evidence at a traffic collision. Students will learn procedures in the classroom and apply the procedures in simulated collisions.
Determining Speed at Traffic Collisions - 16 Hours
This class is designed to assist the investigator in speed calculations used in traffic collisions. Students will learn to compute speeds from skids, yaws, flips, and vaults. Actual cases will be used to enforce the subject areas. Students will need a scientific calculator and are encouraged to bring accidents that they have worked on in the past.
Accident Reporting - 8 Hours
This class will walk the students through the Basic Accident Report (ST-3) and the Commercial Vehicle Supplement (ST-3C). Students will work simulated accidents in order to complete the accident forms.
Transportation Code - 8 Hours
Student will work through selected portions of the Transportation Code that they will use everyday while on patrol. Scenarios will be used to reinforce the class. Students will need to bring their Transportation Code book.
Intermediate Accident Investigation - 40 Hours
This class is designed for the officer who work accidents regular basis. Students will learn about measuring and determining speeds at traffic collisions. Scientific calculator is required.
Advanced Accident Investigation - 40 Hours
This class is designed to assist the officer in determining speeds, measuring, and diagramming the accident scene. Scientific calculator is required.
Stinger Spike System - 4 Hours
This is a certification course for the Stinger Spike System. Student will learn the proper way to deploy the system. Outside exercises will be used with dummy spike systems.
Penal Code - 8 Hours
Students will work through the Penal Code using scenarios. The idea behind the course is to get the officer to refocus on the Penal Code. Officers should bring a copy of the Penal Code.
Code of Criminal Procedure - 8 Hours
Students will work through selected Articles of the CCP. Officers should bring a copy of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Use of Force in Domestic Violence - FATS - 8 Hours
This class will focus the officer on the danger associated when responding to domestic violence calls. The class will use lecture and the Fire Arms Training System (FATS).
Burglary Investigation for the Patrol Officer - FATS - 8 Hours
This class is for the first responding officer to a burglary call. The FATS system is used to reinforce the lecture having officers responding to residential and business burglaries.
Courtroom Testimony & Demeanor - 8 Hours
This class will look at proper courtroom conduct for testifying.
Firearms Proficiency Control Officer=s School - 16 Hours
All departments are required to have a designated Firearms Proficiency Control Officer.
This class will instruct the student on calling the range, record keeping, and firearm safety.
Range required. Students will need to furnish 200 rds of ammo, safety equipment and firearm.
Basic Instructor=s School - 40 Hours
This is the basic course to become an instructor. Topics include lesson plan construction, writing objectives, proper use of instructional media, and the student/leaner relationship.
Report Writing - 8 Hours
Officers will be exposed to good characteristics to be used in report writing.
Roll'n Stolen - 8 Hours
This class is for the patrol officer to locate stolen autos
Intermediate Core Courses
Use of Force - Fats - 16 Hours
This class will use lecture and the FATS system.
10 People minimum - 24 Maximum.
Arrest, Search & Seizure - 16 Hours
Child Abuse - 24 Hours
Crime Scene Search - 32 Hours
Racial Profiling & Asset Forfeiture - 8 Hours
ID Theft - 4 Hours
Use of Force in a Jail Setting - 16 Hours
Suicide Prevention - 8 Hours