The Criminal Justice Training Center is part of the Criminology Department in the College of Health and Human Services at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. It is dedicated to training in areas relative to the criminal justice system. Programs offered include the Act 120 Municipal Police Academy, Lethal Weapons Training, Mandatory and Non-Mandatory Act 120 In-Service Training.
This training can only be offered through a school certified by the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) in Hershey. Certified schools must meet the standards established by MPOETC regarding the curriculum, school policies, instructor certification, and even school environment. Find more information about MPOETC.
The Criminal Justice Training Center also offers Pa. Act 44 Constable Training to both the Northwestern and Southwestern regions of Pennsylvania.
Act 120 Municipal Police Academy
An individual must successfully complete the 750-hour Act 120 training to be certified as a police officer in Pennsylvania. We offer full-time and part-time programs. Full-time academies meet from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and usually take about four-and-a-half months to complete. Part-time programs are designed for people who work or whose schedules don't enable them to be in classes all day. These academies meet about twenty hours a week; two evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For further information on locations and availability, see Current Academy Schedules.
Act 235 Lethal Weapons Training Act
Act 235 is an education and training program in the handling of lethal weapons and enables an individual to do armed security. The basic course is forty hours and includes classroom, defensive tactics, and qualification with a weapon at a firing range. An eight-hour recertification course is required every five years. The CJTC offers basic and recertification courses. The most popular format for the basic course is usually over two weekends; Friday evening and eight hours Saturday and Sunday. The Lethal Weapons Training Commission approves schools that offer the course and certifies instructors.
Act 180 Mandatory In-Service
Police officers in Pennsylvania are required to complete twelve hours of mandatory in-service training annually in order to maintain their certification. Courses are determined by MPOETC, and certified schools offer the courses in various locations. Because the courses are mandatory, there is no charge for municipal police officers. Other law enforcement agencies such as campus police, sheriff's offices, and school police must purchase vouchers through MPOETC in order to send officers to the classes. An individual must show a current police certification card or a voucher to participate in the class.
Non-Mandatory In-Service Training
Police departments may apply through a certified school for a grant from the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission to sponsor an in-service training program. The commission approves the content and instructors for each course. Participants must be certified police officers or purchase a tuition ticket through a law enforcement agency. The Criminal Justice Training Center provides certificates upon completion of a course and continuing education units (CEUs) are awarded through IUP. There are numerous courses available which range in length from eight hours to sixty hours. The MPOETC website has a list of current in-service courses being offered across the state.
The following is a list of some of the most popular courses:
- Driver Proficiency Course: sixteen hours
- Perceptual Driving Instructor Course: forty hours
- Basic Instructor Development: forty hours
- Teaching Techniques and Methodology: forty hours
- Accident Investigation I: forty hours
- Accident Investigation II: forty hours
- Critical Incident Management: forty hours
Act 44 Pa. Constable Training
The Criminal Justice Training Center of Indiana University of Pennsylvania is an authorized training provider for the Pennsylvania State Constables’ Act 44 Training Courses offered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and the Constables’ Education and Training Board and provides all mandatory free training for elected or appointed Pennsylvania constables for both the Northwest and Southwest regions of Pennsylvania.
The Northwest region includes the counties of Erie, Warren, McKean, Crawford, Forest, Venango, Elk, Mercer, Lawrence, Butler, Armstrong, Clarion, and Jefferson.
The Southwest Region includes the counties of Beaver, Allegheny, Washington, Greene, Fayette, Somerset, Westmoreland, Cambria, and Indiana.
Our training schedule begins in February and runs through October of each year.
Constable Basic Training (Eighty (80) hours)
This course of instruction is divided into ten modules of instruction and is designed to provide newly-elected or appointed constables with training on such topics as: civil law and process, criminal law and procedure, mechanics of arrest, use of force, defensive tactics, prisoner transportation, courtroom security, crisis intervention, and professional development. This is a required course for all newly elected or appointed constables.
Constable Firearms — Basic Force Options (48 hours)
The objectives of the course are set forth by regulation by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Constables’ Education, and Training Board for a total of 48 hours. This course is mandatory for any constable who desires to carry a firearm while performing their duties. This course, through lecture, class discussion, and demonstration, explains the principles of basic marksmanship skills and teaches the fundamental skills of marksmanship required of a constable. The course also includes training in OCAT and MEB. Basic Force Option classes are scheduled to run after the Basic Training classes. Constables must complete a Basic Training Class prior to registering for and attending Basic Force Option training.
Constable Continuing Education (20 hours)
Each year, constables are required to complete twenty hours of Continuing Education training in order to maintain their certification. This program changes annually but is generally divided into four topic modules which change yearly depending upon CETB directives.
Constable Firearms — Annual (20 hours)
This program is designed to provide yearly refresher training to certified constables to improve upon the basic techniques presented in the Basic forty-eight-hour course. It also serves as criteria for advancement to the advanced firearms training modules. It consists of a series of lectures, laboratory, and practical exercises that provide aid in the improvement of the safe manipulation of a service revolver/pistol. It stresses safe handling techniques, proper cleaning, and correct weapons handling skills and marksmanship.
Constable Firearms — Advanced Firearms (20 hours)
The objective of the course is set forth by regulation by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Constables’ Education, and Training Board for a total of twenty hours. This course consists of a series of assessments, laboratory, and practical exercises that ensure that the constable meets the PCCD firearm certification requirements. There are two prerequisites to attend this course: 1. Successful completion of the 2008 Annual Firearms Training with a score of at least 92 percent with primary duty weapon for the Qualification Course, and 2. Successful completion of all twelve of the assessments in the 2008 Annual Firearms Training Program without any significant deviations from the established protocols.
Optional Courses
The objectives of these courses are set forth by regulation by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Constables Education, and Training Board and change from year to year. Training topics are designed to enhance a constables skills and to add some variety to the normal required training. These classes are optional and participation is by choice.
Registration
Constables and deputy constables may register for the Training Courses using either of two methods:
- Electronically. The easiest and most efficient method to register for classes is on line using the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency website. This method provides immediate registration and confirmation of classes for the constable and avoids delays in the mail or problems with faxing. Using the credentials provided by PCCD staff, log into the Constable's Information System (CIS): Login To PCCD Civil and Criminal Training
Paper. You may register in writing using one of the forms included in your PCCD Training Calendar. You must either fax or mail your registrations. Faxes should be to the IUP-CJTC at 724-357-3989. Mailed registrations should be sent to the IUP-CJTC, Constable Training Unit, 629 Fisher Ave. R&P Building, Indiana, PA 15705.
Phone or walk-in registrations will not be accepted.
Information regarding the Constable Training Program can be obtained by contacting Michael Marcantino at 724-549-1929 or Roger White at 724-357-3987 during normal business hours. The constable training office number is 724-357-3830.
