BOP Training Academy

[Tinkplink]

Several of you voiced your displeasure with type of training or the lack of training for the new hires at Glynco. What kind of training would you suggest to be implemented. Now you have to keep in mind the time frame it would take to complete your suggested training, the practicality of the suggested training (basic vs advanced) and how could this training be taught.
In other words, if you suggest more handcuffing techniques, what would your idea be for more handcuffing techniques and the purpose behind it. If you would want the Academy to be longer, would you be willing to be without the new hires for a longer period of time?
After seeing so many folks complain about the Academy and since myself and several others on this site work there, I would be interested in your ideas.
Think hard and justify your input.

[bop_steward]

Get a locker, fill it up with the BS that inmates normally have in there. Then throw in some contraband, hard and soft. Then teach the rooks how to do a shakedown. Also, teach them how to pack out an inmate, and to fill out the property form.

Teach them how to write a shot. From start to finish.

Teach them professionalism. When you see one texting or playing games, take their device and keep it until the end of the day.

I was told the rooks get computers now instead of binders. Get someone in I.T. to scan the computers, take off all games, take away all internet access. Basically make it an electronic book.

Get the video from Atwater. Teach them to watch their as$es at all times. IT COULD HAPPEN TO THEM!

[bkmaxvrb]

OK, I'll be the first. *** Damn, bop steward beat me to it *** I wouldn't mind being without the rookies for 3, or even better, 4 weeks. As long as they're learning something that'll help them and us, I'm for it.

Handcuffing techniques would be good. Get BPT knocked out while they're down there and they have access to a better variety of training aids, ranges and scenarios. Legal aspects of the job would be good. Basic correctional procedure and techniques should be stressed and gone over more in depth. It seems many new hires don't understand why you should verify a door you just locked is secure by tugging on it (as one example). Or, another good example... Many new C/O's don't know why it's bad to allow an inmate to cover the window of his cell door. Yes, 99% of the time he's on the toilet but, there is that one percent that's going to bite you in the a$$ and make you do a lot of extra work. You know, the inmate is giving or getting a beat down, shooting dope, hanging up, etc... Or, why we don't allow inmates to run on the compound...It usually indicates something bad just happened. Supervision of inmates needs more time. Please, teach them, or reinforce, that it IS OK to challenge an inmate or to say NO. I was taught that when I first started but, I'm not sure that it is any more.

I'm sure this could be a long thread with many good ideas. I also know it's our responsibility to go over and correct many of these things we see happening. I think it would be beneficial if more of it was taught in Glynco and reinforced back at the institutions.

[Kebemt]

In DE we were issued handcuffs to carry while we were in uniform. That way we could practice on down time and help eachother out. That seemed to help a few guys in my class. This would not add any class time but might make afew guys more comfortable with them. Is it true I will have to carry a blue gun while there? this is kinda on the same line as that. also it helped teach us retention. We played a game where if someone could get your cuffs away from us we did laps. It kept you from getting complacent cause if you droped your guard (as I did once) you lost your cuffs and got beat down.... LOL fun fun fun

[Arbo]

Scare the Hell out of them. Show them crime scene photos of homicides inside the walls, show them the best quality videos of violent attacks, show them autopsy photos, tell them war stories. If they can't handle it in photo and video, throw them out and fire them. They will never make it inside the joint. If you are offended by violence...Go home. They will either be deeply touched and more aware, or they will figure out that this ain't the job for them. Sort them early...We don't need the lamedicks.

[Tinkplink]

Originally Posted by Kebemt

In DE we were issued handcuffs to carry while we were in uniform. That way we could practice on down time and help eachother out. That seemed to help a few guys in my class. This would not add any class time but might make afew guys more comfortable with them. Is it true I will have to carry a blue gun while there? this is kinda on the same line as that. also it helped teach us retention. We played a game where if someone could get your cuffs away from us we did laps. It kept you from getting complacent cause if you droped your guard (as I did once) you lost your cuffs and got beat down.... LOL fun fun fun

Yeah, we issue the new hires duty gear now with training weapons (blue guns) to practice with in their rooms. It seems to help a little....

[bop_steward]

Originally Posted by Tinkplink

Yeah, we issue the new hires duty gear now with training weapons (blue guns) to practice with in their rooms. It seems to help a little....

Not to be whatever, but why would you give them a Blue Gun? Give them, instead, a Blue Radio and some Blue Keys, that would be more suitable for what their job is going to be. Now if the Blue Gun is for trigger practice for the quals on the range while at glynco, then that makes sense, but if it is so they can get used to carrying a pistol on their sides for the "real" job, then that is plain silly.

[Tinkplink]

Originally Posted by bop_steward

Not to be whatever, but why would you give them a Blue Gun? Give them, instead, a Blue Radio and some Blue Keys, that would be more suitable for what their job is going to be. Now if the Blue Gun is for trigger practice for the quals on the range while at glynco, then that makes sense, but if it is so they can get used to carrying a pistol on their sides for the "real" job, then that is plain silly.

Its not so much for trigger control, but it allows them to practice the grip and draw process along with aquiring sights.

[GUNNER]

A better self defense course would be warranted I think. I know there are time constraints. However, they need to know how better to defend themselves in a situation. It has already been proven that running away does not work.

[chevy14bolt]

I think these suggestions are all well and good.... But we have people in these classes who find the most basic correctional information to be difficult. How can we get into more advanced stuff that we should be learning if the stuff they are teaching is hard for people. If you have to have your hand held for the training we had its time to find a new job.

Is there some way to seperate the meatballs with the ones that would like the more advanced training?? 2 learning tracks at glynco would be nice but someone would be offended.