NCJ Number
63359
Date Published
1975
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY, ORGANIZATION, STRUCTURE, AND MISSION OF THE MARYLAND POLICE TRAINING COMMISSION ARE DISCUSSED AS IS ITS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND THOSE OF THE TRAFFIC SERVICES UNITS.
Abstract
LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND SELECTION STANDARDS ON A STATEWIDE BASIS FOR PUBLIC LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN MARYLAND BECAME EFFECTIVE ON JUNE 1, 1966, WITH ENACTMENT OF ARTICLE 41, SECTION 70A, IN THE MARYLAND ANNOTATED CODE. ON APRIL 13, 1967, THE MARYLAND POLICE TRAINING COMMISSION ADOPTED A 160-HOUR MINIMUM STANDARDS TRAINING COURSE FOR ENTRANCE-LEVEL POLICE OFFICERS. TWO YEARS LATER, THIS COURSE WAS REVISED TO INCLUDE 240 HOURS. SELECTION STANDARDS WERE IMPLEMENTED ON JUNE 1, 1971. AMONG OTHER DUTIES, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED TO (1) PRESCRIBE MINIMUM STANDARDS OF ENTRANCE-LEVEL, INSERVICE, SUPERVISORY, ADMINISTRATIVE OR SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOR STATE, REGIONAL, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES; (2) APPROVE AND ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF APPROVAL TO POLICE AND SECURITY OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOLS OFFERING TRAINING COURSES REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSION; (3) PRESCRIBE THE CURRICULUM, MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES, AND STANDARDS OF OPERATION FOR ALL SUCH TRAINING SCHOOLS; (4) PRESCRIBE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR INSTRUCTORS AT SUCH SCHOOLS; AND (5) ISSUE CERTIFICATES TO POLICE OFFICERS SATISFACTORILY COMPLETING THE PRESCRIBED TRAINING PROGRAMS. THE TRAFFIC SERVICES UNIT OF THE TRAINING COMMISSION HAS IMPLEMENTED FOUR SEMINARS ON ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, POLICE TRAFFIC DATA, POLICE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, AND LEGAL ASPECTS RELATING TO TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT. IT ALSO HAS CONDUCTED A PILOT PROGRAM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A ROLL-CALL TRAINING PROGRAM, AND TWO TRAFFIC CURRICULUMS TO BE IMPLEMENTED INTO THE MINIMUM STANDARDS SCHOOLS, EMERGENCY DRIVING SKILLS, AND ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION. ALSO DEVELOPED WERE SEVERAL COURSES FOR COLLEGE CREDIT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE. A QUIZ IS INCLUDED. (PRG)