Course

Course Summary

Credit Type:

Course

ACE ID:

VSPA-0017

Organization:

Virginia State Police Academy

Location:

Hybrid

Length:

Troopers: 408 hours (26 weeks); Special Agents: 328 hours (26 weeks)

Dates Offered:

Credit Recommendation & Competencies

Level	Credits (SH)	Subject
Upper-Division Baccalaureate	3	Leadership
Upper-Division Baccalaureate	3	Criminal Justice Management
Upper-Division Baccalaureate	3	Organizational Management
Upper-Division Baccalaureate	6	Internship in Criminal Justice
Graduate	3	Leadership
Graduate	3	Organizational Management
Graduate	3	Internship in Criminal Justice

Recommended credit varies by prior experience. To be eligible for graduate-level credit, learners must have previously received a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and earned an 80% or higher on their final summative assessment. If a student has not obtained a Bachelor's Degree, upon completing this program, they will only be eligible for 15 credits at the upper-division level.

Description

Objective:

The course objective is for the learner to be able to inspire critical thinking, facilitate formal and informal mentoring within the Department, and promote diversity by encouraging minority employee participants to apply for leadership roles for diverse supervision. Additionally, the learner will be exposed to various Department functions outside their routine duties and gain experience in completing new tasks relevant to Department operations. They will be informed about the resources and skills available from the various Department bureaus, develop their knowledge, confidence, and decision-making through experience, and be prepared for formal and informal supervisory roles. Moreover, the course will provide employee participants with leadership tools and strategies and encourage, promote, and facilitate effective collaboration strategies.

Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate insight into the responsibilities of the administrative and support divisions at State Police Headquarters, understanding their crucial role in the Department's success.
Demonstrate practical experience and in-depth knowledge of first-line supervisory roles, including performance management, scheduling, incident management, collaboration, progressive discipline, evidence handling, and report writing.
Develop comprehensive skills and practical experience in the roles of BCI First Sergeants, including case management and assignment, scheduling, evidence handling, performance management, collaboration with outside agencies and Commonwealth’s Attorneys, and incident response.
Demonstrate extensive hands-on experience and knowledge in the roles of Special Agents in both the Drug Enforcement Section and General Investigations Section, including interviewing, criminal investigation, operational planning, collaboration, handling confidential sources of information and criminal funds, and utilizing intelligence and BCI resources/services.
Understand the responsibilities of the State Police Academy and Driver Training staff, as well as insight into at least three other specialized operations within the Department.
Demonstrate enhanced critical thinking, decision-making abilities, the capacity to research and apply policy and state law, collaboration skills, organizational acumen, leadership and personnel management concepts, and written communication skills through realistic scenario responses.
Showcase the knowledge and skills necessary to mentor peers effectively and be better prepared for promotion opportunities.