Recruit Training
New State Police recruits spend over 1500 hours at the Training Academy in Meriden. When compared nationally, Connecticut State Police recruits receive extensive training in their initial 26-weeks of academy life. Recruits are taught in a classroom setting and are then required to engage in weeks of scenario-based dynamic simulations.
Below are some of the training courses recruits must pass in order to become State Troopers:
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Effective communication strategies
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Mental health/ response to crisis
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De-escalation techniques
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Management of aggressive behavior
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L.E.A.D.S. (Law Enforcement Active Diffusion Strategies)
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Personal protection & safety
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Emergency Medical Responder / Narcan administration
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Ground fighting
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Physical confrontation
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Firearms
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Use of force
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Handcuffing
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Expandable baton
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Weapon retention
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Pressure point control
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OC (pepper) spray
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Taser
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Crowd control (20)
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Populations w/ special needs
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Employee Stress Management
Training
Continued Career Training
Training doesn’t stop after graduating from the Training Academy. State Troopers must return to the Training Academy and complete multiple in-service training sessions to remain certified and comply with statutory requirements. In-service training curriculum includes:
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Bias Crimes
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Fair & Impartial Policing
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Use of Force
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Firearms
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Body-worn cameras
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Emergency medical training
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Expandable baton
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Taser
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Domestic violence response
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OC (pepper) spray
When individuals are in crisis, often times State Troopers are the first to be called. With this in mind, we continue to send more and more of our personnel to Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. This 40-hour intensive training is provided by the Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement (C.A.B.L.E.) and is funded by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The training includes classroom instruction and scenario-based dynamic situations. Once CIT certified, these State Troopers serve as an invaluable resource to their co-workers and their communities.
The CIT model relies on a community-based approach to ensure the safety of everyone at mental health calls. CIT is a nation-wide program and is being utilized in over 2,700 communities. CIT uniquely pairs law enforcement with mental health providers, hospital personnel, individuals with mental health and their families. CIT training helps law enforcement identify mental health crisis and appropriately respond.
CIT is supported and promoted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Click here for more information on the National Alliance on Mental Illness.