Mansfield University Home Page10-201 - Legal Update: Best Practices and Current Issues for Law Enforcement (3 hour required)
This is a three-hour Mandatory In-Service Training (MIST) course. The block of training will cover important legal issues affecting and important to municipal police officers throughout the Commonwealth.
This course will cover topics such as:
- Changes and updates to the criminal law
- Changes and updates to the vehicle law
- Changes and updates to the Rules of Criminal Procedures
- Changes to other statutes related to law enforcement officers
- Best Practices: Use of Force
This course will also examine significant court cases that are relevant to police officers in the Commonwealth. The goal of the curriculum will be to demonstrate how these cases have a direct impact on how police officers perform their customary duties; thus, improving officer safety, convictions, and reducing liability. This module will also address any other unique legal issues that might develop in 2009.
10-202 - Use of Force in Law Enforcement (3 hour Elective)
One of the most difficult decisions a police officer has to make is those involving the use of non-lethal, less lethal or deadly force. It is also one of the most controversial issues facing society and police today.
One of the goals of this course is to provide police officers with an update on the Use of Force in a workshop format. Another goal is to provide the student with a refresher course on basic legal concepts and principles concerning the proper use of force in law enforcement.
In addition, conventional use of force training in law enforcement has focused on a logical progression through the stages of the Force Continuum. This course will focus on the de-escalation of force and highlight documenting and testifying about a use of force incident.
10-332 Initial Responses to Police Incidents ( 3 hour Elective)
This is a refresher course designed to re-acquaint patrol officers with the basic skills relating to Police Incedent Security & Scene Preservation. Interviewing Victims, Witnesses and Suspects, and capturing the necessary information to complete a proper Police Report.
- It will address the basics for the first responding officers arriving at homicides, shootings, robberies, serious traffic accidents, and other major incidents. Many complaints by investigators, administrators and prosecutors stem from un-secured scenes, officers handling and moving evidence or possibly walking or driving through scenes.
- Participants will also recognize the traits of a successful interviewer, and will have opportunities to refine their own techniques for interviewing witnesses, complainants, and suspects.
- They will identify and demonstrate the characteristics of a good report, as well as the qualities of an effective police witness.
- The course wil exam some of the techniques used to attach and discredit police officers on the witness stand and how to avoid being caught unprepared.
This proposed course will consist of lecture, audio-visual media, and facilitated activities that will allow participants to practice their skills. This topic was noted on written suggestions obtained during the instructor training seminars for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 programs when we polled the various classes for input on topics. This course proposal also addresses some of the concerns and suggested topics forwarded to the Commission by the PA Chiefs of Police Association.
10-416 Contemporary Forensics (3 hour Elective)
This course will address the recognition of sources of evidence and the types of information, identification or classifications that can result from various types of evidence. The course will in part, be presented in a "scenario & test" format followed by concept briefs/section lectures.
Specific topics will include, but not be limited to:
- Fingerprints - from what types of surfaces can prints be obtained; mention the various types of processing agents used for different surfaces;
- DNA analysis -the various types of evidence that can provide DNA - some bodily fluids, skin, hair, bones, etc.;
- Tool, tire, shoe, teeth marks;
- Paint, glass, metal, soil, vegetation evidence
Use of technology aids such as: alternate light sources, luminal, GSR and sexual assult kits.
The nature and capabilities of computerized systems -
- AFIS
- CODIS
- Firearms Databases
- VICAP
An added benefit to developing this course would be that it could serve as a partial basis for revising the basic curriculum section on Criminal Investigation.