The Police Academy is the entry-level training requirement for many California Police Officers. The curriculum is comprised of 42 Learning Domains created to meet testing specifications for an Entry Level Peace Officer in the State of California. The Learning Domains cover topics including:

• Cultural Diversity
• Use of Force
• De-escalation
• Leadership, Professionalism & Ethics
• Community Policing

The entire list of Learning Domain subjects can be found on the POST website.

San Diego Police Officer Recruits attend the six-month Police Academy at the San Diego Regional Public Safety Training Institute. The police academy is a combination of academic learning as well as physical training.

Police Recruits from the San Diego Police Department receive above and beyond the required number of hours POST mandates for entry-level law enforcement.

After the successful completion of the Police Academy, SDPD Recruits receive an extra 120 hours of agency-specific training to include:

• Crisis response training
• De-escalation
• Emergency negotiations
• Scenario exercises
• Emotional survival
• Effective interaction and communication
• Community engagement with diverse community leaders throughout the City. Police Officer Recruits visit various neighborhoods and community groups to hear and discuss current issues.

The Field Training Program is designed to allow new police officers to be paired with a training officer to provide in-the-field coaching, mentoring and immediate feedback. The program consists of four evaluated phases of field training that each must be passed before they are assigned to patrol divisions.

In order for Peace Officers to maintain their California POST certification, they must attend 40 hours of mandated training outlined by POST every two years. The following topics are required during this training period:

• Use of Force/Defensive Tactics
• Tactical Communications
• De-Escalation Training
• Domestic Violence
• First Aid/CPR
• Vehicle Operations
• Mental Health
• Firearms

SDPD continues to provide additional training for officers and encourages officers to attend courses and seminars related to their duties to increase their knowledge, maintain skills, prepare for future opportunities and learn new concepts.

• Command Training: Made available to SDPD sergeants, lieutenants and captains. This is not required by POST, however, provides division and unit leadership the opportunity to come together to receive updates on current tactics and discuss areas for improvement in their respective commands.
• Continued Professional Development Training: SDPD conducts a 10-hour mandatory training session for all officers that covers topics including leadership, non-biased policing, LGBTQ+ community awareness for law enforcement, and understanding personal use of social media when off-duty. Community members participate as guest speakers for portions of the training.