Approximately 18,000 police officers throughout Michigan will now be able to update their legal training by viewing two new DVDs produced by Grand Valley's Criminal Justice Education Center.
The 2004 Criminal Law Legal Update DVD set consists of six hours of training that officers can view as a part of their daily duties. The lectures are presented in 20 segments that officers can watch as a part of roll-call training or when calls for services are at a minimum, said Assistant Criminal Justice Professor Jeff Steffel, who is featured on the DVDs.
"They can do this training at their stations as their schedule permits," said Steffel. "Staffing requirements, scheduling, and court appearances often prevent officers from dedicating an entire day to training. Now entire departments can be trained with minimal costs for the department."
The DVDs give officers updated information and a test on the material, which goes into their personnel files to document their legal training for the year. The streamlined process will lead to a more efficient workplace with a reduction in police complaints and lawsuits, said Steffel.
The project was funded by a grant from the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. The DVD set will be distributed to all 625 law enforcement agencies in Michigan.
