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402 Continuing Education Training (Issued 05-15-2008)FRIDLEY POLICE DATE OF ISSUE NUMBER: GENERAL ORDER May 15, 2008 402 SUBJECT: REVISION DATE SECTION: Continuing Education Training May 15, 2008 Green I. PURPOSE To provide standard policy and prescribe specific procedures to be followed relative to requesting, assigning, attending, and recording continuing education training for personnel. II. POLICY It is the policy of this department that continuing education training is essential to maintaining an effective and progressive police department. Continuing education training benefits the department by improving the delivery of police services. Continuing education training benefits personnel by advancing their professional development. The department will periodically make available continuing education training opportunities and personnel are expected to avail themselves of such opportunities as they arise. III. PROCEDURE A. Sworn personnel shall be responsible for complying with P.O.S.T. requirements regarding continuing education. B. The Division Commander shall identify appropriate continuing education training opportunities. Approved training courses will be posted at designated location(s) throughout the department. C. Supervisors shall periodically discuss training needs with personnel under their direction and shall make recommendations regarding training needs to their Division Commander. D. Personnel desiring to attend a continuing education training course (except for scheduled firearms or department sponsored in-service training) shall submit a Training Report Form (TRF) along with complete information about the training course to their immediate supervisor. 1. The supervisor shall review the TRF and determine if the requested training course is appropriate to the needs of the department and individual employee. The supervisor shall also assess the impact on department staffing. If the request is found to be appropriate, the TRF shall be submitted to the Division Commander. Final approval of a training request rests with the Division Commander. 2. An approved TRF shall be submitted to the designated Training Coordinator who will update the training recordkeeping system. The TRF shall then be forwarded to the Administrative Assistant for registration and course payment processing. 3. After completing the training course, an attending employee shall submit an affidavit of attendance to the Training Coordinator. E. Scheduled training is considered a duty assignment. Absence from training must be cleared through a supervisor. Personnel, whether compensated or volunteer, who fail to attend or absent themselves from training without just cause may be subject to disciplinary action. F. The actual hours of attendance in a continuing education training course will be considered the number of hours worked by the attending employee. 1. With the following exception, travel time shall not be paid for continuing education training that takes place at locations less than 60 miles from the Fridley Municipal Center: a. Travel to and from continuing education training by personnel that are actively working their normal assigned duty shift in addition to such training shall be considered duty time. 2. Requests for continuing education training that takes place at any location greater than 60 miles from the Fridley Municipal Center shall be considered on a case-by-case basis. Prior to course registration, a written agreement regarding transportation, travel time, lodging and meals shall be made, subject to review by the Division Commander. 3. Requests for continuing education training that takes place out of state or that requires overnight lodging shall be subject to review by the Public Safety Director. G. A department vehicle may be provided for transportation to continuing education training when fleet resources allow. Mileage expense for use of privately owned vehicles shall not be paid without prior approval of a Division Commander. 1. Mileage shall be computed from the Fridley Municipal Center to the location of the training course. Requests for payment shall be made on approval forms. H. Allowance for meal expenses incurred during off-site training may be authorized as appropriate, depending on the length and location of the training course. 1. Requests for payment shall be made on approved forms and receipts shall be required. No payment for liquor purchase shall be authorized. I. Attendance at a staff school (Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command; Southern Police Institute; F.B.I. National Academy; et cetera) shall be considered a reassignment of duty. It shall be understood that personnel attending staff schools receive tangible personnel and professional benefits (college credit for example) that differentiate it from most other continuing education training opportunities. 1. Daily attendance will generally be accounted an 8-hour day which includes the actual hours of classroom attendance (excluding meal breaks) and out-of-classroom study and homework. a. Any additional time for out-of-classroom study/projects shall be considered on a case-by-case basis subject to prior written approval of the Division Commander. 2. Allowance for commuting or meal expenses shall not be authorized for local staff schools. 3. Allowance for commuting and meal expenses may be authorized for out-of-state staff schools subject to prior written approval of the Division Commander. J. Courses attended independently at colleges or universities that have been approved by P.O.S.T. for continuing education credit may be included in the officer's training file by completing a TRF and providing proof of satisfactorily completion of the course.