Below you will find a list of training opportunities and presentations for civilians offered by the Spokane Police Department. Registration for any course should be completed no later than 10 days prior to class. Check back frequently for upcoming dates. If you have any questions about any of the training or presentations listed below, please contact the Spokane Police Academy at (509) 742-8100.
Police 101
Police 101 is a basic introduction into the world of police decision making and use of force. Lasting between 2 and 4 hours, the course provides insight for civilians as to the actual situations law enforcement encounters, then explains the how and why of police response. The class is designed as a facilitated discussion using videos and other examples to allow the class to interact in the process.
This class is easily modified and has been provided in school settings from the elementary to college level, as well as for private business and other community groups. This course can be taught at your workplace or business, or you can use the facilities here at the academy to accommodate groups up to 100 people. This program is provided free of charge.
Enhancing the Survival Mindset – Level 1 The Class is full
This course consists of a classroom portion where you will receive lecture and Q&A on crime statistics, situational awareness, and survival mindset. From there, you will move into hands on training to introduce defensive tactic techniques that will contribute to your survival "when" you are ever attacked. Finally, you will be rotated through several realistic scenes where you will face different threats. Your survival mindset will determine the outcome of these scenarios. Must be at least 16 years old.
This class is free.
Enhancing the Survival Mindset – Level 2
This is the next step in the reinforcement and development of the survival mindset. You will be exposed to approximately six new scenarios that will enhance your schemas for real life survival. Must be at least 16 years old.
This class is free.
Violence Prevention in the Workplace
Violence Prevention in the Workplace is a seminar on preventing violence in the workplace and if necessary, some appropriate responses to violence at work and in our personal lives. The class examines different workplace violence events and how they were resolved. We will also explore limitations that we (society) place on ourselves that limit our ability to recognize and prevent violence, and take appropriate action when violence occurs.
The course is facilitated by veteran Police Officers with the Spokane Police Department who have tactical experience in both active shooter and hostage type situations. The instructors can also make suggestions for improvements to the physical security of your work or business. This course can be taught at your workplace or business, or you can use the facilities here at the academy to accommodate groups up to 100 people. This program is provided free of charge.
Personal Safety and Awareness
This class focuses on the limitations we impose on ourselves in modern society that interfere with our safety, and covers techniques you can use to be safer in your personal life and work environment. The material in this course is taken from the content of the Violence Prevention in the Workplace, but does not cover the specific strategies of prevention and reaction to violence. The class lasts only an hour and is only recommended when your group or business cannot fit in the longer Violence Prevention in the Workplace class into its training. This program is provided free of charge.
De-Escalation Training
This course is taught by current members of the Spokane Police Department's Hostage Negotiation Team. Members of this unit specialize in communication, both sending and receiving messages in the most dangerous and uncertain of situations. They are routinely deployed with the department’s SWAT team in barricade and hostage situations to assist in the solving of what are some of the most severe tactical problems.
This presentation will cover the basics of human communication, and show you ways to communicate more effectively and safely. De-Escalation training is usually recommended as a follow up to the Violence in the Workplace course. This course can be taught at your workplace or business, or you can use the facilities here at the academy to accommodate groups up to 100 people. This program is provided free of charge.