Introduction to Federal Law Enforcement

Introduction to Federal Law Enforcement

What types of correctional positions are available at the Bureau of Prisons? Name two positions and what type of learning they undertake

The positions at the Bureau of Prisons include a correctional counselor, correctional officer, chaplain, correctional treatment specialist, training instructor, drug treatment specialist, information technology specialist and the safety specialist. The Bureau of Prisons consists of the National Corrections Academy (NCA) and the Staff Training Academy (STA). Under NCA, there is the Management and Specialty Training Center (MSTC), which offers training on subject-matter knowledge. The aim is to equip the staff with leadership skills in their areas of expertise.

MSTC has introduced the distance-learning program to reduce the cost of training and enhance the spread of knowledge. Also under NCA is the National Institute of Corrections’ Academy and Information Center. Its focus is to provide training in management and leadership and to increase the training ability of correctional facilities. The STA offers classes on correctional techniques, a requirement for all employees of the bureau. Other than this basic knowledge, there is also advanced training in Bus operations, Marksman Observer and Witness Security. With these two facilities, the bureau enables the staff to acquire more knowledge they need to fulfill their duties.

What is the mission of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center?

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) is made up of a number of organizations whose objective is enforcing federal law. The FLETC mission is “to provide quality, cost-effective training for law enforcement professionals” (Westby & American Bar Association, 2003). The center achieves this in four ways. First, through specialists in trained in law enforcement. Secondly, it offers top-class facilities and technical help to law enforcers. Thirdly, it carries out research in law enforcement and comes up with new ways to enforce the law. Finally, FLETC disseminates its findings on enforcement technology (Westby & American Bar Association, 2003).

Professional training and technology are gaining importance as methods of achieving law enforcement. In the respect, FLETC is continuously seeking ways to improve the technology used in the training by remodeling the existing technology to include both past and new technology. Partners on the FLETC are based at one of the center’s sites for enhanced synchronization of their programs. Consolidation of these organizations cuts costs for the federal government while at the same time ensuring delivery of quality training in law enforcement. The trainees are equipped with knowledge of law enforcement and its dynamics in preparation for their career in law enforcement.

Name the types of training programs that FLETC offers and what type of law enforcement agencies attend these programs.

The main training programs offered by FLETC are the Criminal Investigator Training Program and the Land Management Program. As the name suggests, the latter is aimed at managing land such as that under forests or national parks. The Land Management Program is most relevant for the US Fish and Wildlife, the US Forest Service, Tribal Police, the National Marine Service, Tennessee Valley Authority, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Criminal Investigator Training Program provides knowledge on the techniques and principles on how to carry out criminal investigations (Brad, 2010). This program involves lectures, practical sessions and examinations to ascertain the understanding of the trainees.

Agencies that attend the Criminal Investigator Training Program are the United States Secret Service (USSS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Another program is the Uniformed Police Training Program. Here, the trainee is equipped with basic knowledge on law enforcement, including the proficiency needed to carry out Federal officer duties. This program is useful to the following agencies: Pentagon Force Protection Agency, USSS, the Criminal Investigation Agency, US Capital Police and the Defense Intelligence Agency (Brad, 2010).

 

References:

Brad, N.L. (2010, Aug 10). FLECT Training Programs: UPTP/ LMPT/ CITP. FLECT Forum. Retrieved from http://www.fletcforum.com/2010/08/10/fletc-training-programs-uptp-lmpt-citp/

Department of Home Security. (2011, Feb 7). Federal Law Enforcement Training Centre. Retrieved from http://www.bop.gov/about/train/index.jsp

Department of Home Security. (2011, Feb 7). Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Retrieved from http://www.bop.gov/jobs/descriptions.jsp

Westby, J.R. & American Bar Association (2003). International Guide to Combating Cybercrime. Illinois: American Bar Association.