Training

Training Academy:

All non-commissioned persons are required to attend CARTA (Capital Area Regional Training Academy) upon employment with the LSU Police Department. The academy lasts approximately 16 weeks, which includes a minimum of 496 training hours set forth by POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training Council). Upon successful completion of the law enforcement training course, certification for basic law enforcement peace officers is issued. Below are a few of the categories that are covered during the academy:

  • Orientation to Criminal Justice (4 hours)
  • Becoming a Professional Police Officer (16 hours)
  • Firearms (80 hours)
  • Physical training (40 hours)
  • Legal Aspects (60 hours)
  • Domestic and Family Matters (12 hours)
  • Officer Survival (40 hours)
  • Electives (64 hours)
  • Specialized Activities (54 hours)
  • Traffic Services (18 hours) 
  • First Aid/CPR (8 hours)
  • Report Writing (24 hours)
  • Investigations (24 hours)
  • Patrol Activities (24 hours)
  • Use of Force (12 hours)
  • Active Shooter (16 hours)

Field Training Program:

Once an LSU Police Officer has successfully completed the law enforcement training course through CARTA, they are placed in the FTO (Field Training Officer) Program in order to transition out of the Police Academy to be a functional Patrol Officer. The FTO Program is intended to provide a standardized program to facilitate the Officer's training transition from the academics of the Police Academy to the actual performance of general law enforcement duties in Uniform Patrol. All Officers are required to successfully complete this program, which lasts 12 weeks, or more if necessary, and includes an additional 480 training hours. 

LSU Police Department takes its responsibilities very seriously. The inability of an Officer not being able to successfully complete the FTO Program can result in termination. 

If an Officer is already POST certified in the state of Louisiana, they are required to complete the FTO program with a minimum of 160 training hours. 

Annual Training:

LSU Police Officers are required to continue annual training. These hours include, but are not limited to:

  • De-escalation
  • Diversity in the Community
  • Bias Recognition Policing
  • Firearms (8 hours)
  • Officer Survival (6 hours)
  • Electives (4 hours)
  • Legal Updates (2 hours)
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Taser Certification/Recertification
  • Governmental Ethics
  • Preventing Sexual Misconduct
  • Digital Resource and Content Accessibility Awareness
  • Law Enforcement Response to Mental Health Related issues
  • Bias Base Policing
  • Body Worn Camera Usage
  • DNA Collection
  • Juvenile Law
  • Radiation Event Response
  • OC (pepper spray)/Less Lethal
  • Radar/Lidar Certification
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Surveillance User Training (LSU PD Campus Camera System)
  • Firearms Transitional Training (new weapons)
  • Temporary Detention Room Inspection or Oversight Training
  • Traffic Control Class
  • Narcan Course/Refresher

 

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