The Connecticut State Capitol Police Department Training Unit consists of one Sergeant who reports to the Operations Support Commander, a Lieutenant. The Training Sergeant is responsible for ensuring that officers remain certified to perform their sworn duties. This is accomplished by scheduling a minimum of 40 hours of mandatory training for each officer on an annual basis, a departmental standard that far exceeds state requirements. This includes recording, scheduling, and researching current training issues. The Training Sergeant also coordinates career development, police applicant background investigations and the field training program.
The Training Unit provides the department with timely briefs on criminal laws and the passage of public acts related to complex social issues. As a result of this effort, the department is able to maintain a high level of awareness on issues that can affect the Legislative Community, and is better equipped to respond to those issues as they arise.
The Training Unit also schedules officers for courses at the Connecticut Police Academy which is governed by the Police Officers Standards of Training Council (P.O.S.T.C.) and at other major training agencies. Through these specialized programs, officers have the opportunity to learn the latest in crime fighting techniques and take advanced instruction in subjects such as Active Shooter Response, Street Survival, Background Investigation, Dignitary Protection, Police Bike School, Cyber Crime, Crime Scene Processing, Police Photography, Anti-Terrorism Training, Command Post Training, Crisis Intervention Training, and Effective Interview and Interrogation Techniques.
All department instructors who teach mandated courses have received instructor status from the P.O.S.T.C. The department currently has P.O.S.T.C. certified instructors in Internet Investigations, Handcuffing, LOCKUP, OC spray, Firearms, Active Shooter Response, Shooting Decisions, Intoxilyzer, and Driving Simulator. The department also has instructors in the Monadnock Expandable Baton and physical fitness.
The Training Unit supervises the Field Training Officer program (FTO). The FTO program provides structured training for newly sworn probationary police officers that graduate from the Police Academy. The 400-hour program is broken down into 4 phases, which expose officers to various situations with the departments P.O.S.T.C. certified field training officers. The FTO program may be extended if there is a need for additional training. It progresses from basic orientation to complex police activities.
Lieutenant Keith J. Zengel:
860-240-5218
Sergeant Michael Bermudez:
860-240-8777
