Course

Credit Type:
Course
ACE ID:
VSPA-0017
Version:
1
Organization:
Virginia State Police Academy
Location:
Hybrid
Length:
Troopers: 408 hours (26 weeks); Special Agents: 328 hours (26 weeks)
Minimum Passing Score:
70
ACE Credit Recommendation Period:
Credit Recommendation & Competencies
Level Credits (SH) Subject
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 upper-division level, 3 semester hours in Leadership, 3 semester hours in Criminal Justice Management, 3 semester hours in Organizational Management and 6 semester hours in Internship in Criminal Justice, for a total of 15 credits at the upper-division level.
Description

Objective:

This course is eligible for upper-division or graduate level credits.

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.

General Topics:

  • Orientation (40 hrs.)
  • Professional Standards
  • Criminal Justice Information Services
  • Communications
  • Fusion Center
  • Human Resources (HR)
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Property & Finance
  • SP-88 VSP Qualification Summary Sheet
  • Written Scenario Overview
  • Formal Mentoring Phases (6 Months)
  • Supervisory Phase (160 hrs.)
  • BCI Supervisory Phase (80 hrs.)
  • Investigations Phase (160 hrs.)
  • Specialty Phase (40 hrs.)
  • Written Scenarios (30 graded)
  • Capstone (8 hrs.)
  • Promotional System
  • Mock Interviews
  • Written Scenario Review
Instruction & Assessment

Instructional Strategies:

  • Audio Visual Materials
  • Case Studies
  • Classroom Exercise
  • Coaching/Mentoring
  • Discussion
  • Learner Presentations
  • Lectures
  • Practical Exercises
  • Work-based Learning
  • Performance Rubrics (Checklists)

Methods of Assessment:

  • Case Studies
  • Examinations
  • Quizzes
  • Written Papers
Supplemental Materials
Equivalencies

Other offerings from Virginia State Police Academy

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College Credit Opportunities