Use-of-Force Continuum: Alabama Training Requirements

Per the Alabama Peace Officers Standards & Training Commission (APOSTC), the basic certification training curriculum in 2020 will require 520 hours of scheduled trainings. Trainings include: (i) 8 hours of training on "Laws of Arrest, State & Federal Criminal Procedure," (ii) total of 109 hours of "Offensive and Defensive Tactics," and (iii) 2 hours of training on "Officer/Violator Contact". No specific training on "de-escalation" is listed in curriculum.

The Lateral/Refresher program in 2020 required 95 hours of scheduled trainings. Trainings include: (i) 3 hours of training on "Laws of Arrest, State & Federal Criminal Procedure," (ii) total of 21 hours of "Offensive and Defensive Tactics," and (iii) 4 hours of training on "Officer Survival". No specific training on "de-escalation" is listed in curriculum.


Per a notice on APOSTC website, 2021 trainings will require 560 hours of scheduled trainings and 120 hours of scheduled trainings for Lateral/Refresher programs.

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