The University of Florida Police Department (UFPD) recognizes that one of the keys to successful law enforcement operations is a police officer who is well trained and prepared to do his or her job at all times. Accordingly, the members of the UFPD Training Division, comprised of one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, one Field Training Officer, and one Program Assistant, continually work to ensure all aspects of law enforcement training are completed and documented. This training, conducted each semester while assigned to the UFPD, meets and exceeds the continuing education/training requirements as outlined by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (FCJSTC). The members of the UFPD’s Training Division are directly responsible for every element of employee training and equipment supply.

Every individual hired for any non-sworn position first undergoes initial training, ranging from 40 to 160 hours depending on the specific position, designed to familiarize the employee with department and university operations, policies, and procedures. The employee also attends several training sessions designed to assist the employee in the transition into his or her new position.

Those individuals hired for sworn law enforcement positions must first be eligible for sworn position certification as outlined by the FCJSTC. Once hired, all sworn staff members go through a detailed 160 hours of initial training designed to prepare the new officer for his/her duty and assess his/her ability to perform those duties. This initial four-week training conducted specifically with staff from the UFPD Training Division and other UFPD staff includes, but is not limited to, the following topics of discussion:

• Weapons/use of force involving duty issued firearm, Taser, expandable baton, and pepper spray
• High liability areas of law enforcement
• Defensive tactics
• First responder procedures to include CPR certification and use of defibrillator devices
• Law enforcement driving techniques
• Report writing
• Investigative and interview techniques
• Crime scene/evidence collection procedures

Once the officer has successfully completed this training, he or she is then assigned to a Field Training Officer (FTO) in the Patrol Division for a period of nine weeks. While assigned to an FTO, the new officer is trained, evaluated and continually assessed for their ability to perform the duties and meet the expectations of a UFPD law enforcement officer. We hope that you take the opportunity to read the information describing our FTO Program.

The FTO Program is just the beginning of training designed to prepare officers for their duties as law enforcement officers. Each officer also participates in quarterly in-service training as well. The in-service training is designed to provide officers, ranging from the most recently hired to the most senior experienced, with both annually mandated training requirements and enhanced skill training. The in-service training is also described in more detail on its separate web page so please feel free view it.

If you have any additional questions for or wish to contact the members of the Training Division, please feel free call (352) 392-8948 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. (except on university or national holidays) or write to the following address:

The University of Florida Police Department
Training Division
Training Commander: Lieutenant Scott Silver
1521 Museum Road
P.O. Box 112150
Gainesville, FL 32611-2150
(352) 392-8948
Contact UPD