VA Academy

[YankeeWhite]

Word has down from on high that we (officers at my installation) are going to be sent through the 0083 training course offered by LETC for the Vet. Affairs Police. Supposedly, in groups of three-five officers at a time. Yay.

I'm confused as to how, since there are almost fifty of us, and we'll be lucky to get five of the empty slots at the VA training center and I doubt they run Academies all year around. But that's just ranting.

I've checked on the forum here and found some information on the VA Police, but that doesnt help me - I need info on their academy. From the rumors around the base, it is five weeks long and does not have a whole lot to it - no firearms, no EVO course, etc etc.

Does anyone know what it does have???

[nonickname69]

deleted...previous info provided was crap.

[Bearcat357]

This link is to the governing body that oversees and enforces law enforcement certification in the state of Virgina.

http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/index.cfm

VA as in Veterans Affairs NOT the Commonwealth of Virginia.....

To the OP....I have a few buddies that are Chiefs with the VA.....PM me and I will see what info I can get you....

[nonickname69]

VA as in Veterans Affairs NOT the Commonwealth of Virginia.....

To the OP....I have a few buddies that are Chiefs with the VA.....PM me and I will see what info I can get you....

lol, I thought it was a VA hospital in Virgina.

[Bearcat357]

lol, I thought it was a VA hospital in Virgina.

No biggie.....as that's what I thought you were thinking....but that's not what he was looking for...

be safe...

[Jrob33]

Veterans Affairs Police Academy

OK Now I'm confuded We are talking about the VA police Academy right????

The one in Little Rock Arkansas?

I worked for the VA police for awhile, and I attended their Academy. It was 8 weeks long, and there was a firearms portion (they actually Have a nice indoor pistol range) Their is a defensive tactics portion, (the Monadnock fighting system) including PR-24 Certification. And their is a week of Federal law. (Bring some NO-Doze!)

Basically it's a VERY abbreviated police Academy that is geared towards A hospital environment. There were a few Air force personnell in my class.

[orlandofed5-0]

The VA Law Enforcement Training Center (LETC) is in Little Rock Arkansas at the Ft. Root VA Hospital. It is 5 weeks in length and you are required to stay on the property. The AF signed a 3 year contract with the VA to provide this training and AF civilian officers are required to meet VA standards.

The certification is not the same as a FLETC cert, so unless you plan on working for a VA or another AF facility, then your going to be required to go back through another training academy.

[DACP]

Ohh for Christ sakes man, DOD needs to send all of it's officers to FLETC, one standard, one school all branches.

[LT Dangle]

Ohh for Christ sakes man, DOD needs to send all of it's officers to FLETC, one standard, one school all branches.

no no no.... heavens no! If everyone were on the same page, they might have some type of aurgument for better pay, benefits, authority and the like. Keep them confused and guessing and whatever you do, don't give them training that they can take else where.

[YankeeWhite]

I agree that it's hogwash, but that's the military for you.

From what I understand we are getting whatever slots are open after the VA puts its group into a class. So if there is one or two, we are getting them, etc. Which, not being hardlined in, is rather confusing since they have two years to get us all through. Supposedly.

So it is 5 weeks, or 8? I've heard both.

I suppose transferring to the VA wouldn't be a bad gig, pretty much the same as being an AF civ cop, just woth a smidgeon more authority and competence.



Personally, I think we should train as a group, those of us joining the civ. police agencies of the different branches, and create a single DO police force, so one can transfer from an AF base to a navy yard, or marine base to Army post, etc. would standardize things and give a bit mroe uniformity. But that's obviously ******ing in the wind.

But back to the original VA academy stuff....

So we stay on the campus? Do they have dorms or something? We were told, again, rumors, that we would be put up in hotels.

[kingsman]

even FLETC certification doesn't cover everything. The State of Michigan doesn't recognize FLETC certification.

[orlandofed5-0]

even FLETC certification doesn't cover everything. The State of Michigan doesn't recognize FLETC certification.

And the Feds do not recognize MCOLES either..However the BIA academy is considered waiverable if one attends training as a tribal police officer in MI.

So it is 5 weeks, or 8? I've heard both

From talking to my former Sgt. who is a VA police chief, it is 5 weeks still.

So we stay on the campus? Do they have dorms or something? We were told, again, rumors, that we would be put up in hotels.

If they have rooms in the dorms, your going to stay on campus. If not, then the VA contracts with a local hotel/motel. Your breakfast and lunch are on the campus and dinner is at the wonderfull golden corral for 5 weeks!

[YankeeWhite]

Golden Corral - I like the food, but I am trying to LOSE weight. Lol.

Five weeks of fun - check. Know anything of the courses? Talking to one of the guys from around here, he said they taught traffic stop tactics in a classroom using seats to *roleplay* And I've heard tell of a PR24 course?

We don't use 24s - we have asps. Yay. Is there a physical component? Or all classroom?

[stormz5192]

That was a huge gripe when I worked for DOD Ft Dix. Some were military trained, some were FLETC trained and some were State Trained. The ones that were state trained left rather quickly.

[YankeeWhite]

Well, off the record, we have already lost several. Things are not going as planned. I plan on sticking it out, unless another base that is more LE-friendly calls and says hey, come here! And then there shall I go!