Wichita Police Department Recruit Training Section

The Recruit Training Section is responsible for developing Recruits into Police Officers.  Recruits receive an introduction to police work during 23 weeks of basic academy training.  A basic curriculum of 560 hours is mandated by the State of Kansas.  The Wichita Police Department provides an additional 336 hours to meet the needs of policing a metropolitan area.  Experts from the field and related community agencies are utilized to ensure recruits receive the best possible training.  Each Recruit Class is assigned an experienced Field Training Officer who is responsible for assisting the Recruit Training Lieutenant with instruction and coordination duties.

Recruit Mentoring:

During academy training, every Recruit Officer is matched with a Recruit Mentor.  Mentors are veteran officers from the field who volunteer for the assignment.  Recruit Officers are encouraged to communicate with their assigned Mentor outside regular academy hours.  Recruit Mentors not only provide guidance but also offer advice regarding rigorous academy training, career development, and adapting to the police profession.  Two lunch meetings are scheduled during regular academy hours to help facilitate the mentoring process.  The Recruit-Mentor relationship often continues after academy training.

Academy Training:

The Wichita-Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center (WSCLETC) represents a partnership between the Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office that has existed since 1985.  Recruit classes from both agencies are trained simultaneously, with the two classes combined as much as possible.  This training approach fosters communication, cooperation, and understanding between the two agencies.

Police Recruits receive comprehensive training from professional instructors at the WSCLETC. 
The Training includes:     

Response to Community Problems	Tactics & Control Techniques
Community Policing Conflict Resolution Domestic Violence Community Social Services Poverty Problems Child Abuse and Neglect Mental Retardation Mental Illness Substance Abuse Patrol Procedures and Techniques Traffic Safety and Enforcement DUI Enforcement First Aid/CPR Deaf and Hard of Hearing	Firearms Close Quarters Combat Expandable Baton Ground Fighting Pressure Point Control Tactics Officer Survival Aerosol Weapons TASER Building Search Active Shooter Handcuffing/Search Techniques Reactive Knife Handgun Retention
Criminal Investigation	Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement
Principles/Techniques of Interviewing Crimes Against Persons & Property Vice and Organized Crime Arson Investigation Crime Scene Investigation Report Writing Gangs	Constitutional Law State statutes City Ordinances Federal, State and local courts Search and Seizure Principles of Arrest

Recruit Officer Training does not conclude with the completion of the academy.  Academy graduates are assigned to a Field Training Officer for an intensive 12-week Field Training Program.