2-501 Training
- Summary: Describes MPD training programs, including in-service and specialized courses.
- Effective Date: 01-01-2026
- Last Review Date: 04-22-2019
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline training program components, rules, regulations and procedures for Pre-Service Training, In-Service Training, Special Duty requests, the maintenance of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) licenses, and training record management.
Policy
- On-going training is essential to providing a professional level of service in law enforcement. Training offered by the MPD Training Unit will be consistent with the MPD's mission, values, goals, and objectives.
- The mission of the MPD Training Unit is to develop and present relevant and current Pre-Service and In‑Service training programs, special courses and seminars to all employees that promote trust, accountability and professional service.
- Minneapolis Police Department training will be provided in compliance with federal, state and city mandates, including use of force, legal update training and competency testing, and will be consistent with the MPD’s mission, values, goals and objectives.
- It is the responsibility of supervisors to ensure that subordinates are trained and able to carry out assigned tasks and responsibilities.
- Records shall be maintained to document training of all Minneapolis Police Department employees.
Procedures / Rules / Regulations
Recruit Officer and Field Training Programs
- Training for new officers consists of a Police Academy and Field Training Officer (FTO) program.
- The Recruit Officer must pass Police Academy requirements prior to being sworn in as a peace officer and being accepted into the FTO Program.
- The Officer in field training will work one-on-one with an FTO during the Field Training period.
- FTO Program requirements must be satisfactorily completed prior to the end of the Field Training period.
Recruit Officer Program – Uniform and Personal Appearance
- The Recruit Officer will wear the Recruit Officer uniform or other specified attire as directed by Training Unit personnel.
- The Recruit Officer’s personal appearance and uniform standards shall conform to the regulations specified in MPD Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 3-100 Personal Appearance and Uniforms.
Recruit Officer Program – Firearms
- The Recruit Officer shall successfully complete the MPD Range Qualification course.
- The Recruit Officer is prohibited from carrying ammunition and/or a loaded firearm during academy training unless they are under the direct supervision of range personnel.
- The Training Unit may authorize the Recruit Officer to carry their firearm while participating in academy training classes.
- The Recruit Officer is not legally authorized to carry their firearm while off duty until they are sworn in as a peace officer.
Field Training Officer (FTO) Program
Selection of Field Training Officers (FTO’s)
- Precinct staffing supervisors, following FTO program guidelines, shall recommend officers who are eligible to be Field Training Officers.
- The Field Training Sergeant at each precinct shall be selected by a Sector Lieutenant.
- The Chief of Police reserves the right to reject a volunteer who the Chief determines is not appropriate to serve as an FTO.
- Field Training Officers and Field Training Sergeants will be trained by Training Unit personnel.
Field Training Officer Program Scheduling – FTO and Officer in field training
- The Officer in field training shall work the same schedule as their assigned FTO.
- A special request by an Officer in field training to deviate from their assigned FTO’s schedule must be approved by the assigned FTO, Field Training Sergeant and the Training Unit.
Field Training Evaluation
- The progress of an Officer in field training will be evaluated by their assigned FTO and Field Training Sergeant.
- Evaluations for Officers in field training shall be reported to the Training Unit in the format prescribed by the Field Training Manual.
MPD In-Service Training
- MPD In‑Service Training is provided each year to meet or exceed the requirements of the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), the MPD, and the City of Minneapolis.
- All employees shall attend and participate in In-Service Training, as assigned, regardless of the number of POST Credits or Continuing Education Credits accumulated.
Special Duty, Schools and Seminars
- Employees applying for Special Duty time, department funds, or MPD sponsorship must forward a properly completed Special Duty Approval Form (MP-1002) to the Training Unit. Applications to attend or instruct at an outside department training shall be denied when the training conflicts with training provided by MPD (such as warrior-type or fear-based training on use of force or de-escalation techniques as opposed to MPD’s community policing training).
- Training requests which involve funding beyond the endorsing Commander’s training budget shall be reviewed and approved or denied by the Deputy Chief of Professional Standards.
- Employees attending specialized schools or seminars authorized by the MPD will provide event information, names of the speakers and their qualifications, reports and a class syllabus to the Training Unit.
- Employees may be selected to attend or instruct advanced training programs in which the MPD participates.
- MPD employees may attend specialized training schools or seminars on their own time, except MPD sworn employees must obtain approval in advance from the Deputy Chief of Professional Standards or their designee before attending or instructing at a training on use of force or community policing/de-escalation techniques to ensure there is no conflict with such training provided by MPD (such as warrior-type or fear-based training on use of force or de-escalation techniques as opposed to MPD’s community policing training), including through off-duty employment.
- Probationary employee requests for special training shall be forwarded to the Deputy Chief of Professional Standards for review and final approval determination.
Professional Development Program
- The Professional Development Program, administered by the Training Unit promotes the professional growth of MPD employees. The program includes the following components:
- Career Enrichment Programs
- Career Paths
- Community Service
- Higher Education
- In-Service Training
- Leadership Development
- Mentoring Program
Unit Specific Training
- To be considered verifiable Department Training the lesson plan, training material (e.g. PowerPoint presentation) and instructor qualifications/resume must be documented and forwarded to the Training Unit.
- Prior to conducting Unit Specific Training a Course ID number shall be obtained from the Training Unit.
- In the event that Unit Specific Training is required and prior notification of the Training Unit is not practical, the supervisor/commander will be responsible for documentation of the lesson plan and attendance roster.
- Upon completion of Unit Specific Training the attendance roster shall be forwarded to the Training Unit.
Training Records Management
- The Training Unit shall do the following:
- Assign a Course ID for all training that is to be documented.
- Perform data entry and editing of training records in Workforce Director. Items to be stored in WorkForce Director for each training:
- Instructor biography/resume
- Syllabus of the training
- Handouts
- Training materials (e.g. PowerPoint)
- Sign in sheet
- Grades (if assigned)
- Respond to Data Practices requests for MPD training records.
- Maintain training records in accordance with data retention guidelines.
- Generate the Training Record Verification Report upon request.
- Employees shall do the following:
- Employees shall sign an attendance roster at training sessions where one is provided and the employee is present for the entire training.
- Employees shall periodically review their training records for completeness and accuracy and contact the Training Unit if changes are necessary.
- Employees wishing to have Outside Department Training (e.g. command schools or City training) documented in their respective MPD training and personnel files shall provide:
- To the Training Unit: Proof of course completion, handouts, agenda and certification (if applicable).
- To MPD Human Resources: Proof of course completion and/or certification.
- Employees seeking POST certification credit for Outside Department Training shall contact the Training Unit upon receiving Special Duty approval, to ensure POST eligibility requirements are met.
- Commanders shall do the following:
- Commanders shall be responsible for reviewing subordinates training records to ensure compliance with required certifications and mandated Department Training.
- The Training Record Verification Report is available from the Training Unit upon request.
2-502 POST Licensing Requirements
- Summary: Outlines Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) license requirements.
- Effective Date: 01-01-2026
- Last Review Date: 04-22-2019
Purpose
To reinforce that it is the responsibility of sworn members to maintain a valid and active Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) license.
Policy
All sworn members shall maintain a valid and active Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) license as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain a valid and active POST license will result in a sworn member being relieved of enforcement duty and discipline, up to and including termination.
Procedures / Rules / Regulations
- Sworn members shall report changes of name or address to the MN Post Board.
- Sworn members must pay the required fee and complete 48 hours of POST-approved training every three years, prior to June 30, for re-licensing.
- The MPD is not obligated to provide this training; however, participation in annual In-Service Training may meet or exceed licensing requirements.
- Upon request, the Training Unit will provide appropriate forms and assistance to officers seeking MN POST Board credit for any training received, provided the training received is consistent with community policing.
- The MN POST Board requires law enforcement agencies to maintain and retain records of all POST-approved training for police officers in accordance with POST Board requirements.
- The MN POST Board recommends officers maintain their own documentation to prove successful completion of their required credits.
- Sworn members who have instructed in MN POST Board approved training may apply for POST credit. The number of POST credits granted will be determined by POST guidelines. The Training Unit will provide officers with requirements and forms. For more information regarding POST, members should visit the MN POST Board website.
- Sworn members who do not have a valid and active POST license shall not represent themselves as a police officer, whether on duty or off duty, and shall not take enforcement action under the authority of being a police officer.
- Sworn members who do not have a valid and active POST license shall not carry any firearm while on duty, and shall not carry a firearm while off-duty unless they have an additional Permit to Carry as a private person issued by the jurisdiction in which they live.
- Any formal action that is taken or pending against a sworn member’s POST license shall be immediately reported by the member to their Division Commander and the Internal Affairs Unit. Notification by the member may be made through the chain-of-command.
- Upon being notified that a member’s license is no longer valid or active, regardless of the reason, Division Commanders shall take action to ensure that the affected member is not acting in a capacity that requires them to be a licensed police officer.
2-503 Prohibition on Excited Delirium Training
- Summary: Bans the use of 'excited delirium' as a medical term or training topic.
- Effective Date: 01-01-2026
- Last Review Date: 06-21-2024
Policy Change Notice:
"Excited delirium" means a description of a person's state of agitation, excitability, paranoia, extreme aggression, physical violence, and apparent immunity to pain that is not listed in the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or for which there is insufficient scientific evidence or diagnostic criteria to be recognized as a medical condition. Excited delirium includes excited delirium syndrome, hyperactive delirium, agitated delirium, exhaustive mania, and similar terms.
- Members are prohibited from instructing, attending, or participating in training that offers or suggests “excited delirium” or similar terms as listed above as an explanation for a person’s behavior, as well as training on the detection or use of excited delirium.
- Members are prohibited from using “excited delirium” or similar terms as listed above to describe a person or their behavior in any manner or context.
Definitions
- Affected Member: A member who has experienced or been impacted by a critical incident, traumatic event or other work-related stressor.
- Community Policing Training:
Instruction on the following matters:
- Techniques for expanding the training of peace officers to include de-escalation and problem-solving.
- Techniques for organizing community members so that they are involved and trained in community policing activities.
- Techniques for relating to diverse communities.
- Techniques for relating to individuals with physical or mental limitations.
- Training on child development issues to enable officers to respond appropriately to perceived child protection situations.
- Course ID: A pre-authorized number assigned by the In-Service Training Unit for identification of training courses or programs.
- De-escalation: Techniques and tactics to reduce the intensity of a situation. These strategies serve to increase the likelihood of voluntary compliance, minimize the need to use force, and uphold the sanctity of life by enabling members to resolve situations without the use of force or with the lowest degree of force necessary. (P&P 7-802)
- Department Training: Denotes any training instructed or coordinated by the Minneapolis Police Department (e.g., in-service, pre-service training).
- Firearms/Ammunition/Firearm Accessories: A device that projects either single or multiple projectiles at high velocity. Ammunition is a term meaning the assembly of a projectile and its propellant. Accessories include but are not limited to holsters, gun cases, firearm optics, suppression devices, cleaning supplies, etc.
- Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training: Oversees law enforcement licensing and training requirements for law enforcement agencies and officers.
- Outside Department Training: Denotes training provided to employees away from the department (e.g., college courses, seminars in another city, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), FBI National Academy).
- POST Board: Oversees law enforcement licensing and training requirements for law enforcement agencies and officers.
- Training Records: Job-related training documentation received throughout an employee's career including, but not limited to, in-service training, firearms training, unit specific training, seminars/workshops, courses which are law enforcement related or for development of administrative, managerial or leadership skills taken at accredited colleges/universities.
- Unit Specific Training: Training instructed by specialty units. This includes but is not limited to PowerPoint presentations, scenario-based training, practical exercises and videos.
- Use of Force:
An intentional contact, directly or indirectly (such as through a weapon or force device), with someone’s body, that causes pain or injury or restricts, controls or directs someone’s movement. Intentionally placing someone in fear of such contact or threatening such contact can also constitute force. This includes, but is not limited to:
- The use of any weapon, substance, vehicle, equipment, tool, device or animal that inflicts pain or produces injury.
- Any physical strike to any part of the body.
- Any physical contact or threat of contact by the member or a weapon that causes or threatens to cause pain or injury.
- Any physical contact or threat of physical contact by the member that results in physical restriction or manipulation of movement.
- Unholstering or displaying a weapon when engaged with a subject or subjects, or pointing a weapon at a person.
- Workforce Director: A computer information system that provides employee scheduling and timekeeping functions, personnel data management, training management, inventory management, Internal Affairs management, performance reviews, recruiting, and support for Field Training Officer programs.