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The Office of Transit Police and Security has established training goals and objectives to instill in sworn police officers and civilian employees the transit service functions for ridership safety and the concepts and role requirements of "Peace Officers" within the tri-state Transit Zone.

Comprehensive Training Objectives
The training objectives of the Police Department are:

To provide the Metro Transit Police, WMATA Special Police and civilian personnel with job related skills to function efficiently and effectively.
To assure that the Authority's General Rules, Rules of Conduct, Operating Rules, Safety Rules and Standard Operating Procedures applicable to Metrorail and Metrobus are complied with in order to instill a safety first consciousness.
To assure that the minimum standards training mandate for "Basic Officer" certification from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission (MPCTC) are complied with.
To assure that the "In-Service" training mandates for experienced officer personnel recertification from the DCJS and MPCTC are complied with.
To assure that the District of Columbia's Criminal Code and applicable Municipal Regulations are complied with.
To provide specialized Metrorail/Metrobus training consistent with the needs of non-Authority law enforcement personnel in our tri-state signatory jurisdiction.
To provide up-to-date instruction on the safe and effective use of TPAS issued weaponry and the restrictions placed on the physical and deadly force options that peace officers cannot use.
To assure that applicable sections of the Federal Criminal Code are complied with
To provide viable WMATA Special Police training programs.
To maintain past and current training records for all TPAS sworn and non-sworn personnel.

Basic Police Entrance Level Training Requirements
Upon eligibility via compliance with the tri-state selection standards required for probationary police officer candidates, Metro Transit Police probationary officers attend and receive:

564 hours of mandated basic officer training at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy.
40 hours of field training with the Arlington County Police Department.
240 hours of mandated Maryland Comparative Compliance basic officer training for officers trained out-of-state in certified police academies.
240 hours of District of Columbia basic officer training.
40 hours of Orientation for basic officer training.
48 hours of Metrorail/Metrobus Safety and Transit Technology training.
40 hours of specialized basic officer and 24 additional Metro Transit Police firearms range training.

The curriculum of the basic officer training meets or exceeds the mandated police training standards required by the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as the training standads of the District of Columbia. The methods of instruction utilized to train includes classroom lectures, films, visual aid slides, tapes, field trips, take home workbook, report writing assignments and academic and performance based tests.

Metro Transit Police probationary officers, receive a total of one thousand one hundred and ninety-six hours of academic and performance based training at entry-level and ten additional weeks of field training with experienced Metro Trasit Police Officers prior to being assigned to individual patrol assignments.

Mandatory Police In-service Training
The Maryland Police Training Commission requires that each officer and sergeant receive eighteen hours of approved training yearly for three consecutive years to recertify. Virginia's Department of Criminal Justice Services requires forty hours of approved training and eight hours of legal instruction every two years to recertify. Members are responsible for scheduling training that meets their mandates.

All DCJS classes offered by the NVCJA have been pre-approved for credit by the MPTC. Maryland also requires a written examination at the conclusion of each class. The minimum passing score is 70%. Staff Instructors administer tests to MTP members taking courses at the Academy.

Classes offered by the Training Division are pre-approved and certified by both Commissions. Firearms competency instruction is held in one-day sessions.

Officials the rank of Lieutenant and above are required by the DCJS to attend 40 hours of approved training every two years. Maryland has no requirement.

Career Development Training
The development of a police officer's career is a mutual process. The Department will continue to offer specific professional training in areas that are job-specific and mission-oriented. The Transit Police Officer, on the other hand, will be encouraged to take charge of his or her own career path by attending voluntary career guided educational endeavors on their off-duty time. The Department will actively promote the Authority's Tuition Reimbursement program because a better educated and more adaptable officer will positively influence the surrounding workforce and community.

Specialized Training
Training in the special ranges of police work demands a specific, technical, hands-on application of practical skills. The Department will continue to develop and implement programs that are both mentally and physically challenging. Motorcycle, Canine, Crime Scene Search, Bicycle and other special training will be coordinated by the Training Division, allowing full control and administration of all training and to insure the highest standard. The Department will continue to offer specific outside agency training as needed.

To maintain its place in the forefront of service excellence and technological advancement, WMATA's employees must be highly trained. All WMATA personnel are encouraged to select from nearly 200 in-house training courses, some specific to certain departments of jobs, but many classes are open to all employees.