Training Academy

The Delaware State Police Training Academy is located in Dover, the capitol of Delaware, and is dedicated to teaching the basic police academy as well as providing specialized advance police training for all law enforcement agencies.

Recruits reside full-time (with weekends off) at the training facility. The 22 week academy is a highly demanding academic environment as well as a very intense physical atmosphere. All students are provided instruction that meets and exceeds all performance standards and objectives set by the state oversight agency, the Council On Police Training (COPT). Emphasis is placed on providing high quality training that will prepare the students to become patrol officers. In addition to the academic objectives, the curriculum includes performance objectives relating to fitness/health standards. The academy incorporates a rigorous physical training program in order to provide each student with the best opportunity to meet and exceed these objectives. This challenging program consists of various types of muscle strength/endurance training, as well as various types of cardiovascular and flexibility training. This academy is regarded as one of the areas best training programs for law enforcement. Students are provided daily classroom instruction in such areas as laws of arrest, criminal procedures, search and seizure, verbal judo, computer science, firearm’s proficiency, cultural diversity, and crisis intervention. Attainment of mandated objectives shall be accomplished through a series of tests and practical exercises throughout the Recruit Academy session. After completing the academy, successful candidates will be assigned to a Field Training Officer for a minimum of thirteen weeks of “on the job” or field training.

Students are strongly encouraged to prepare for the rigors of the academy by adopting a suitable physical fitness program prior to the start of the academy. The fitness programs should include exercises designed to improve performance in the following areas:

Students should improve both upper and lower body strength through the use of calisthenics and /or weight training. (Minimum of 3 times each week) Effective exercises include pushups, pull-ups, squats, and knee bends. Students should also endeavor to increase abdominal strength by incorporating crunches, leg thrusts, etc. Effective weight training exercises include bench press, shoulder press, lat pull downs, leg press and abdominal strength building exercises.
Students should improve cardiovascular fitness. (minimum of 3 times each week) Running is an outstanding way to improve cardiovascular fitness, particularly since the academy curriculum includes a significant amount. Students are encouraged to start their routine by running a minimum of 15-20 minutes 3 times a week, while gradually increasing distance and intensity prior to the start of the academy. Bicycling and jumping rope are also effective ways to increase cardiovascular fitness.
Students should improve flexibility in their hamstrings and lower back. (Minimum of 3-5 times each week) Students should work on stretching exercises a minimum of 3 to 5 times each week. Students are reminded to hold each stretch at least 20-30 seconds.