Law Enforcement Training and Development

Course Information and Exam Scores

• Course information and exam scores will be electronically transmitted to the Training Academy.

Shift Briefing Training

• Shift briefing training is a supplementary technique for agency training, requiring management and supervision.
• The goal is to keep officers up-to-date between formal training sessions.
• Shift briefing training is usually conducted by the shift sergeant or corporal, but may include other personnel from other units.
• Training should be designed to fit into a short and succinct time period, typically less than one hour.
• Training may be credited as Department training.

Training for Newly Promoted Employees

• All newly promoted employees must participate in mandated training for their new position/rank.
• Training should occur prior to promotion, if possible, or within the first year following the date of promotion.
• Training may be provided directly by the Department or through another source.
• The Training Academy will assist sworn employees and their next-level supervisors in identifying appropriate training and locating sources.
• APD-HR will assist civilian employees and their next-level supervisors in identifying appropriate training and locating sources.

Professional Development Training Requirements

• Professional development training requirements have been established for incumbent and future lieutenants and commanders.
• A specific curriculum must be completed during an officer's tenure in a rank.
• Mandatory training requirements include:
  • Enrolling in an APD-approved long-term management school within three years of being promoted to lieutenant or commander.
  • The Training Academy will maintain a list of approved courses.
  • Assistant chief approval is required for any substitutions, including attendance to a management school not on the approval list.

Course Information and Exam Scores

• Course information and exam scores will be electronically transmitted to the Training Academy.

Shift Briefing Training

• Shift briefing training is a supplementary technique for agency training, requiring management and supervision.
• The goal is to keep officers up-to-date between formal training sessions.
• Shift briefing training is usually conducted by the shift sergeant or corporal, but may include other personnel from other units.
• Training should be designed to fit into a short and succinct time period, typically less than one hour.
• Training may be credited as Department training.

Training for Newly Promoted Employees

• All newly promoted employees must participate in mandated training for their new position/rank.
• Training should occur prior to promotion, if possible, or within the first year following the date of promotion.
• Training may be provided directly by the Department or through another source.
• The Training Academy will assist sworn employees and their next-level supervisors in identifying appropriate training and locating sources.
• APD-HR will assist civilian employees and their next-level supervisors in identifying appropriate training and locating sources.

Professional Development Training Requirements

• Professional development training requirements have been established for incumbent and future lieutenants and commanders.
• A specific curriculum must be completed during an officer's tenure in a rank.
• Mandatory training requirements include:
  • Enrolling in an APD-approved long-term management school within three years of being promoted to lieutenant or commander.
  • The Training Academy will maintain a list of approved courses.
  • Assistant chief approval is required for any substitutions, including attendance to a management school not on the approval list.

Course Information and Exam Scores

• Course information and exam scores will be electronically transmitted to the Training Academy.

Shift Briefing Training

• Shift briefing training is a supplementary technique for agency training, requiring management and supervision.
• The goal is to keep officers up-to-date between formal training sessions.
• Shift briefing training is usually conducted by the shift sergeant or corporal, but may include other personnel from other units.
• Training should be designed to fit into a short and succinct time period, typically less than one hour.
• Training may be credited as Department training.

Training for Newly Promoted Employees

• All newly promoted employees must participate in mandated training for their new position/rank.
• Training should occur prior to promotion, if possible, or within the first year following the date of promotion.
• Training may be provided directly by the Department or through another source.
• The Training Academy will assist sworn employees and their next-level supervisors in identifying appropriate training and locating sources.
• APD-HR will assist civilian employees and their next-level supervisors in identifying appropriate training and locating sources.

Professional Development Training Requirements

• Professional development training requirements have been established for incumbent and future lieutenants and commanders.
• A specific curriculum must be completed during an officer's tenure in a rank.
• Mandatory training requirements include:
  • Enrolling in an APD-approved long-term management school within three years of being promoted to lieutenant or commander.
  • The Training Academy will maintain a list of approved courses.
  • Assistant chief approval is required for any substitutions, including attendance to a management school not on the approval list.

Table of Contents

• APD General Orders Issued 03-29-24
• Published with permission by Austin Police Department

Chapter 4 - Field Response, Investigations and Reporting Policies

• Officer Response to Calls
• Preliminary Field Investigations
• Incident Reporting and Documentation
• Follow-Up Investigations
• Civil Disputes
• Warrants
• Case Clearance
• Emergency Management
• Mobile Field Force
• Swift Water and Flooding Incidents
• Hazardous Material Response
• Hostage, Barricaded, and Suicidal Subject Incidents

Chapter 5 - Field Support Operations

• Bicycle Operations
• Canine Unit
• Air Operations and Air Support

Chapter 6 - General Support Operations

• Victim Services
• Chaplain Unit
• Auxiliary and Support Services
• U-Visa Nonimmigrant Status Certifications
• Communication Operations
• Interpreter Services
• Crime Analysis
• Central Records Procedures
• Public Safety Camera System
• Critical Incident Support Systems and Procedures
• Property and Evidence Collection Procedures
• Reserve Officer Unit

Chapter 8 - Equipment Policies

• Property and Equipment Accountability
• Equipment and Uniform Regulations
• Duty Firearms
• Department Vehicles

Chapter 9 - Personnel Policies

• General Conduct and Responsibilities
• Special Investigations
• Administrative Investigations
• Discipline Matrix
• Grievance Procedures
• Guidance Advisory Program
• Reporting of Employee Arrests and Police Involvement for Sworn Employees
• Peace Officer Personnel Files

Law Enforcement Authority

• Law enforcement officers' authority is based on established legal authority
• The department does not tolerate abuse of law enforcement authority
• Sworn members of the department are considered peace officers pursuant to Tex.Code of Crim.Pro.art. 2.12
• Peace officers have the authority to preserve the peace within the State of Texas and their jurisdiction through all lawful means
• Peace officers are required to perform duties as required under the Tex.Code of Crim.Pro.art. 2.13

Unprofessional Behavior

• Unprofessional behavior will not be tolerated in the workplace.
• Employees must maintain loyalty to the Department, consistent with the law and personal ethics.

Chain of Command

• Employees are responsible for knowing their chain-of-command and operating within it, except when impractical.
• If an employee bypasses the chain-of-command, they must notify their affected supervisor as soon as practical.
• In cases where a written directive requires an employee to notify an immediate supervisor who is not readily available, the employee should:
  • Notify the person designated as the acting supervisor.
  • Notify their next-level manager.
  • Notify another supervisor of equal rank/grade with similar responsibilities.

Authority and Accountability

• Delegation of authority is essential to the good working order of any organization.
• Employees shall exercise the responsibility and authority of their position, in accordance with job specifications and work rules.
• Employees are accountable for the use of, or the failure to use, their delegated authority.

Succession of Command

• The Chief of Police exercises command over all personnel in the Department.
• During planned absences, the Chief of Police will designate a person to serve as the acting Chief of Police.
• The order of command authority in the absence or unavailability of the Chief of Police is as follows:
  • Chief of Staff.
  • An assistant chief, in order of seniority.
  • A commander, in order of seniority.

Unity of Command

• Each employee shall be accountable to one supervisor at any time for a given assignment or responsibility.
• Except where specifically delegated authority may exist by order or special assignment, any supervisor may temporarily direct any subordinate if an operational necessity exists.

Span of Control

• The number of employees under the immediate management of a single supervisor should not normally exceed ten (10).
• Authority to complete a task shall be commensurate with the responsibility placed on employees by the supervisor.
• Supervisors are ultimately responsible for the action of themselves and their subordinates.
• Employees shall be held accountable for their use, or failure to use, their delegated authority.

Obedience to Orders

• Obedience of a superior's lawful command is essential for the safe and prompt performance of law enforcement operations.
• Orders from a supervisor to a subordinate will be in clear and understandable language, civil in tone, and issued pursuant to departmental business.
• Employees will not publicly criticize nor comment derogatorily to anyone about instructions or orders they have received from a supervisor.
• Employees will promptly obey any lawful order from a supervisor of higher rank, regardless if the supervisor is outside of the employees' chain-of-command.

Employee Responsibilities

• Employees are at all times individually responsible for conducting themselves in a professional and ethical manner.
• Employees are responsible for treating coworkers with respect and dignity.