Spokane Police Department Training

Comprehensive and Continued Education for the Men and Women of Law Enforcement

Proper  training for the men and women of the Spokane Police Department is a top priority for the Department.  Spokane Police Department holds mandatory, department-wide training four times throughout a given year in order to keep officers and other employees up to date on their knowledge and technique while protecting and serving citizens. 

Spring Department Training (also known as “in-service”), occurred on March 14, 2012.  The training was broken into four segments covering the following topics: 

• Firearms qualification and a review of Federal  and State Law regarding deadly force

• Behavioral health and working with vulnerable populations

• Administrative review of a deadly force incidents

•  Legal updates on recent changes in state and federal criminal law and recent case law relevant to law enforcement

The largest block of instruction for the spring training session focuses on behavioral health.  Behavioral health training is provided by Dr. Matt Layton of the University of Washington and Jan Dobbs, of Frontier Mental Health.  This training also serves as a supplement to the training provided to the departments CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) officers.  CIT officers are commissioned personnel given additional training in dealing with vulnerable populations.  The CIT Program and training was instituted in 2001 and is updated with new and current information and techniques each year.

The training listed above, along with other relevant and important topics is revisited on a quarterly basis to ensure the best possible training for the men and women of the Spokane Police Department.

Spokane Police Department

Physical Ability Test Requirements

Applicants for the position of police officer must successfully complete the Physical Fitness Ability Test. This will be the next step after the written test. Applicants must pass this to continue in the hiring process. Applicants will be required to do this at least twice during the process. This is required for entrance into the CJTC Basic Law Enforcement Academy.

https://fortress.wa.gov/cjtc/www/images/docs/classes/blea/pat_website_info.pdf

The PAT is the same for all applicants regardless of age or gender.  All candidates must pass the physical tests listed on the CJTC website. On Public Safety Testing’s website, https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/informationcenter/info/index/page/test-requirements-policesheriff-physical-wa, there is a good section on the PAT which lays out workout strategies over a period of time to help one meet the challenge.

The PAT will be typically administered in the following order: 

1. 300 meter run
2. Push-ups
3. Sit-ups
4. 1.5 mile run/walk