University Special Police Officers are required by the District of Columbia to complete 250 hours of training through the Campus Public Safety Institute or an equivalent law enforcement police academy within two (2) years of receiving a campus or university special police officer commission.

The basic course of instruction offered by CPSI is designed to provide the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for university special police officers to perform their duties and responsibilities in a highly professional manner at their respective institutions in the District of Columbia.

The current basic course offers over 360 hours of training integrating the principles of private and public policing including 21st Century law enforcement techniques, local and federal laws, policies and procedures, community policing, and customer service skills as well as officer safety and wellness orientation adapted to the academic community. This approach to law enforcement training empowers and equips university special police officers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to confront the challenges of working in a 21st Century academic environment while providing a high level of professionalism and dedication to their respective institutions.

Specific training modules include:

Trauma-Informed Care Interviewing for Law Enforcement Officers – The course provides an overview for campus law enforcement officers on the realities of trauma experienced by survivors of sexual assault and other crimes, the impact of trauma on a victim, and the preliminary investigative strategies for the law enforcement response. Students are exposed to the definition of trauma and trauma-informed care, the types of trauma, expectations versus reality, common trauma responses, and how trauma impacts marginalized communities.

Fair and Impartial Policing – This course of instruction informs campus law enforcement officers of the legal and moral issues surrounding biased-based policing and practices.  Students will understand the importance of evaluating discretionary practices and the application of non-bias policing. 

Sexual Abuse Preliminary Investigations – Campus law enforcement officers familiarize themselves with Title 22 Chapter 30 of the District of Columbia Official Code. Officers receive instruction on the steps to take when responding to and conducting a preliminary investigation into related offenses. They learn about the role of their agency’s investigative efforts and the role of the Metropolitan Police Department Sexual Assaults Unit.

Interactions with the Special Needs Communities – This course covers a variety of circumstances and situations designed to help members of the community who are homeless or are challenged with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. This course exposes campus law enforcement officers to the realities and needs of the members of the special needs communities and how empathy and understanding, along with a broad base of knowledge of available community resources can be used to help members of these communities.

Critical Issues in Policing Series – This series is designed to expose campus law enforcement officers to a variety of current issues that are emerging in society and could have an impact on their respective campuses. Issues such as the challenges presented by dangerous drugs such as Fentanyl and other opioids, and the efforts to adopt lifesaving measures such as the use of Naloxone (Narcan), by first responders is among the topics being discussed by campus law enforcement officers. New and emerging technologies such as Body-Worn Cameras (BWC), and Facial Recognition Software, and the pros and cons of outfitting campus law enforcement officers with such technology are also a part of the ongoing Critical Issues in Policing Series.

Review the CPSI Course Curriculum (PDF)