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TRAINING

The University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) invests in robust training programs for all staff. All new employees must complete an on-boarding program and for most positions there is a Field Training Program that is specific to the position.

All police recruits are required to meet the election and employment standards as set forth by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). In addition, police recruits are hired or sponsored in-service through a selection process to attend a certified police academy standard curriculum of 594 hour in the State of Michigan. Following the police academy completion, the police officer is certified.

At DPSS, probationary police and security officers are then required to attend a Field Training Officer Program (FTO) following the completion of the orientation period. Topics included in the FTO program, but not limited to, are:

  • Defensive tactics
  • First Aid, CPR, & AED
  • Naloxone training
  • CJIS training
  • Blood borne pathogens training
  • U-M HIPAA and FERPA
  • Legal update

In addition, all DPSS police and security officers are trained in use of force, verbal de-escalation, and de-escalation during the on-boarding process. The de-escalation training aims to increase the likelihood that an individual will voluntarily comply and minimizes the likelihood of the need to use force during an incident. DPSS policy requires officers to use de-escalation techniques and other alternatives consistent with their training whenever possible and appropriate before resorting to force. Officers are trained to communicate clearly with subjects and allow time and opportunity for individuals to comply with verbal commands before force is used.

DPSS also provides yearly training on a variety of other topics such as implicit bias, autism awareness, interpersonal violence, mental health awareness, legal update and more.

Please see more information on job-specific training below.


Job-specific Training