The Criminal Justice Training Center prepares individuals for entry into the field of law enforcement, provides in-service update training of current law enforcement personnel, and provides mandatory initial and recertification in lethal weapons training for security personnel.
The center maintains a full-time police training academy on the IUP main campus and two satellite academy locations: Penn West University of Pennsylvania at California, Pa. and Robert Morris University. Four cohorts are conducted per year; IUP conducts two full-time cohorts, Penn West conducts one full-time cohort, and RMU conducts one part-time class annually. The Criminal Justice Training Center also offers services to the general public.
The training center offers:
- Municipal Police Officers' Training (Legislative Act 120). Successful completion meets MPOETC training requirements to become certified as a municipal officer in Pennsylvania.
- In-service training:
- Mandatory training for all Pennsylvania municipal police officers.
- Voluntary training for individuals interested in the criminal justice field.
- Specialized training in the following areas; emergency vehicle operations, instructor development, school security personnel, field training officer, and more.
This training can only be offered through a school certified by the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission in Harrisburg. 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 CJTC also holds accreditation through CALEA, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Call 800-303-2752 for more information on the Criminal Justice Training Center.