Northeast Florida Criminal Justice
Training and Education Center

Rules & Regulations
The following rules and regulations are set forth to aid the student in successfully completing basic police recruit and basic correctional recruit training programs.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, the rules and regulations contained herein will apply to both programs.
Due to the quasi-military nature of law enforcement organizations, rules and regulations must be obeyed. Failure to obey rules and regulations could seriously impede the objectives of law enforcement.
These rules and regulations set forth the standards required of the student in the areas of discipline, academics, physical ability and proficiency skills which include firearms, first responder, defensive tactics and defensive driving.
Also included in this booklet are guidelines for handling infractions of the rules and regulations of the Criminal Justice Center.

Academics

• An examination score of 80% or better must be attained on each test in order to graduate from the Northeast Florida Criminal Justice Training and Education Center. If a student fails a written exam, he/she will be allowed an opportunity to retake one exam, at the discretion of the Training Center Director; the maximum possible score on the retake is 80%. If an 80% score is not achieved on the retake or any subsequent exam (a second failing score) the student will have failed the course.
• Students will usually register for modules, which may include more than one course. If a student fails a course and is unable to continue into subsequent courses because of prerequisite requirements, the student will be refunded tuition to courses not already begun.
• In addition to written exams, students must qualify in other areas, namely, firearms, first responder, defensive tactics, defensive driving, maintaining notebooks and other areas as determined by the training staff.
• Students will be required to maintain a notebook, which will be graded and will count 10% of the overall grade for the course. The notebook will be written in outline format, hand printed in black ink and must contain the following:
  Cover sheet, which must contain:
  Course Title
  Course Number
  Beginning and Ending Dates
  Student's Name
  Table of Contents
  Alphabetical Index

Appearance
Students must be clean in person and habits. They will report for inspection with shoes shined, pants, (without pleats), and shirt cleaned and pressed, and neatly groomed.
Hair shall be evenly and closely trimmed at all times; it shall not extend over the ears or over the shirt collar and shall be tapered neatly. Sideburns shall not extend below the bottom of the earlobe and shall be closely trimmed. Students shall not wear facial hair.

Attendance
Students will report for inspection at the designated time. They will attend classes as scheduled.
Absence and tardiness are discouraged. Any excessive absence violates Criminal Justice and Standards Training Commission Regulations and Prohibits certification.
Students attendance and performance requirements outlined in Chapter 11B-35, Florida Administrative Code, are as follows:

• Each trainee must attend all sessions of any training course in which enrolled except for absences approved by the Training Center Director.
• No student shall be considered to have successfully completed a training course if he/she has any unexcused absences.
• The training center director may schedule make-up work to be completed during the course of study in which the cadet is enrolled. The make-up work will be comparable in content and quantity to the instruction missed. At the discretion of the Training Center Director, the make-up work may consist of a 250 word written report for each hour or portion of an hour missed. All such reports shall meet the same academic standards of other FCCJ classes. The Training Center Director will insure that all make-up work performed by a Cadet is kept as a part of his/her class file.
• Students should complete the full academy during one scheduled term. However, when unusual attendance circumstances exist as determined by the Training Center Director, or a student is dropped for academic reasons, students in good standing may be permitted to enroll in subsequent courses in order to complete their required training.
• All students will be required to be on time and in their seats at the start of each hour of training. The instructor of the class will take attendance each hour. Anyone who fails to be seated at the time the attendance is taken shall be designated absent and must comply with the absence policy. In the event you are tardy, you must identify yourself to the instructor and the time you arrived will be indicated on the attendance form.
• Tardy is defined as being late 30 minutes or less for the beginning of class or upon return to class after an authorized break. Absence is being more than 30 minutes late for the beginning of class or upon return to class after an authorized break.
• Students arriving late for class will provide the Training Center Director with a written explanation explaining why he/she was tardy. The explanation will be placed on the proper form and turned in before the end of the training day. The Training Center Director and class instructor will review the explanation to determine if the tardy/absence will be classified as excused or unexcused.
• Any student who cannot report to class because of illness or other valid reason must notify the Class Liaison. If the Liaison is unavailable, the student shall notify a Training Center Staff Member. No later than one-half hour prior to class time on the day in question.
• When a physician is consulted, the cadet will submit a signed statement from the physician concerning the cadet’s medical condition, physical limitations, and date he/she will return to full-time training. If applicable, students attending class on city, county or state time should be aware that their agency would be notified of their absence. However, it is student’s responsibility to pursue normal reporting procedures with his/her agency regarding any such absence. Tardiness will not be tolerated. All students are expected to be on time for all phases of the training. Students reporting late for class are disruptive, and therefore will be removed from the training class after three (3) tardies.
• All students arriving after the class begins or after an authorized break will be charged with a tardy or absence. If the tardy/absence is an excused one, make-up work will be assigned as outlined below.
  All absences and tardies will require a written explanation on the appropriate form. The explanation must be forwarded to the Training Center Director’s office by the end of the training day.
• The"Request for Excused Absence" MUST include the following:
  Student's Name
  Date of Absence or Tardy
  Date Submitted
  Reason for Absence or Tardy
  Amount of time missed (hours, days, minutes, etc.)
  Supportive Documentation (physical statement, death certificate, etc.)
  Subject missed (patrol, investigations, etc.)
  Did you secure the missed materials? Yes/No
  If yes, from whom?
  Excused absences are defined as absences of an emergency or unavoidable nature and includes but are not limited to the following:
  Injury, illness or death of student or member of his/her family
  Vehicle accident en-route to class
  Court subpoena or deposition
  Child birth in cadet's immediate family
• Upon review of your request, you may be assigned make-up work. You will be advised of the date it is due. Failure to turn in assigned make-up work will result in your absence being categorized as "UNEXCUSED". Any make-up work will be attached to your request and placed in the class file for future inspection by Florida Department Law Enforcement auditors.
• Failure to submit this request and the necessary attachments will result in your absence/tardy deemed "UNEXCUSED" and will result in your failure for the training course in which you were enrolled.
  Additionally, it should be noted that submission of the proper paperwork Does not guarantee that your absence/tardy will be declared excused. The Training Center Director will evaluate each request and determine if the Absence/Tardy was reasonable and necessary.
• You should be aware that police/sheriff agencies regularly contact the Training Academy when doing background checks on prospective officer/deputies and regularly review attendance records (absences and tardies) as part of the selection process.
  
  Behavior
  Students will sit erect, pay attention to the instructor and refrain from any private conversation while the class is in session. Students will not leave the classroom when in session without the instructor’s permission. Students shall be courteous, civil and respectful to fellow students and other individuals at all times. Smoking and chewing tobacco are not allowed in the Criminal Justice Building. They are allowed outside in designated areas, but proper disposal of residue is required in cans provided. There will be no consumption of food or beverages in the classroom. This includes gum.
  Loud talk, profanity and boisterous behavior will not be tolerated while attending the Criminal Justice Center. All students shall be quiet and orderly and shall refrain from coarseness and disrespectful language.
• Students will not intentionally antagonize any other person; they shall treat all individuals in a respectful, courteous manner.
• Class members shall not use insulting language or threatening or uncomplimentary terms of speech, which defames or demeans the nationality or culture of any individual. Students shall not make or tell jokes about the nationality, color, creed or belief of any person. Students shall not participate in any practical joke, which could adversely affect the physical or mental well being of anyone else.
• Students are required to address all staff members and instructors accordingly (police personnel by title: professor, Mr., Mrs., Miss, etc.). There will not be omission, alteration or abbreviation of these titles used. Familiarity between students and members of the training staff is not permitted.
• Students will stand at attention when address or being addressed by personnel of the training staff, either indoors or outdoors, except while eating or in the classroom, unless otherwise agreed.
• All students shall speak the truth at all times and under all circumstances. They will respect the rights of their fellow students, and all interactions will be conducted with honesty and enthusiasm. Students will, while at the Criminal Justice Center, devote their whole time and attention to their training.
• Students required to take prescription drugs will notify the Criminal Justice Center staff on FCCJ Form 4 stating the reason for taking the medication. A signed doctor’s statement identifying any precautions the student should exercise will be attached to Form 4. For example, if the student should not drive or operate a firearm while under the medication, or the medication has no side effects that would impair normal functioning, the doctor’s statement will so state. No other drugs are permitted. Possession or use of intoxicating beverages will not be permitted while on Criminal Justice Center property. Students reporting for class under the influence of drugs or intoxicants will not be allowed to participate in class that date. This offense may also lead to being dropped from the course or failing the course in accordance with FCCJ’s substance use/abuse policy. There will be no loitering in the vicinity of the administrative offices. Entrance is allowed only with the permission of a staff member.
  
  Discipline
  Any student detected cheating, defined as the giving or taking of any information or material with the intent of wrongfully aiding oneself or another in academic work considered in the determination of course grade, will be deemed to have failed the course.
  Again, you should be aware that police/sheriff’s agencies regularly contact the Training Academy when doing background checks on prospective officers/deputies and regularly review attendance records (absences and tardies) as part of the selection process. Based on the student’s need, instructor may assign written or practical projects to be completed outside the classroom. Such assignments shall be well prepared and submitted on the due date requested. Homework assignments will be submitted to the Criminal Justice Center staff member prior to the first scheduled class on the due date. When submitting homework the following information will be placed in the upper right hand corner. Name,Class Number,Course Number, Date. Homework assignments will be written in black ink and should be grammatically correct.
  
  Physical Training
  Physical conditioning training is required as a prerequisite for Defensive Tactics training. Students are required to participate in and pass the physical Conditioning portion of the Defensive Tactics course with a minimum of 80% on a written test in order to register and continue the Defensive Tactics course.
  The approved physical training uniform will be a FCCJ approved shirt or plain white T-shirt with sleeves (no pockets, designs or writing). Gym shorts will have no designs or writing. Socks will be solid white. There will be no wearing of stretch pants under gym shorts.
  When a student is unable to fully participate in Physical Conditioning Training, the student shall be required to OBTAIN A DOCTOR’S WAIVER BEFORE RETURNING TO PHYSICAL TRAINING CLASS. No "light duty" or partial participation will be allowed unless specifically stated in the doctor’s statement. For example, a leg injury may let a student participate in weight lifting.
  
  High liability areas of training
  The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission recognizes four areas of training which it considers "High Liability"
  
  Firearms Training
  Students must qualify with both pistol and shotgun in day and dim light. The following rules pertain to firearm training and must be strictly adhered to.
  Note: Instructors shall insure students wear eye and ear protectors at all times when on the firing line.
  All Shooters must observe all standard firearm safety rules
  The cardinal rules are as follows:
• Consider all guns are loaded.
• Keep muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times.
• Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until you are on target.
• Know your target and your backstop.
  Specific rules pertaining to firearms training are as follows:
• Never bring a loaded weapon into the classroom.
• All firearms training will be properly and adequately supervised by someone in authority.
• Strictest discipline will be maintained during firearms training.
• Never give a firearm to or accept a firearm from anyone unless the cylinder or action is open.
• Never anticipate a command.
• If a firearm has been out of your possession, be certain there is no obstruction in the barrel before loading.
• Load and unload only when instructed.
• Keep the firearm pointed down range at all times.
• Never draw a weapon from the holster or re-holster with the finger in the trigger guard.
• No smoking or talking on the firing line.
• Never permit the muzzle of a firearm to touch the ground.
• Never leave the firing line with a loaded weapon unless instructed to do so.
• Never go in front of the firing line until the firing line has been cleared and command has been given to go forward.
• Never dry fire on the range except when instructed.
• Pay strict attention to the range officer. He/She will give you all the necessary instructions.

First Responder to Medical Emergency Training
Each student will be required to score at least 80% on a written examination covering all instructional blocks in emergency medical training in addition to the skills evaluation. Emergency medical training will be administered according to first responder standards as set forth by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

Defensive Tactics
Students will be required to participate in and pass both written and practical exams in defensive tactics. The written portion of the exam may or not be separate from other test material. The student is expected to attend classes wearing gym shorts and a T-shirt. No jewelry shall be worn and fingernails must be cut reasonably short. Conduct in the class should be that of a working atmosphere; no horseplay! NOTE: Students will wear all protective gear deemed necessary by the instructors.

Vehicle Operations
Students are required to successfully pass both written and proficiency exams. Modified dress may be allowed at the instructor’s discretion.

Miscellaneous

• If, at any time, an instructor does not appear in the classroom to conduct a scheduled class, it will be the responsibility of a designated member of the class to notify a member of the training staff.
• There will generally be a break between classes, BUT the class will not assume this break until dismissed by the instructor. Breaks may be spent in the classroom or outdoors.
• Students will park in designated areas only. After students park their vehicle prior to class, they are not to return to it until they leave for the day, unless otherwise specified.
• No incoming personal telephone calls will be allowed from the administrative office except in case of extreme emergency. There are telephones in the student lounge.
• Students are under supervision of ALL staff members and instructors.
• Textbooks issued to students must be returned in the same condition as when received. Students at their expense must replace damaged books.
• Speed limits will be strictly enforced. Staff members may use speed detection devices to monitor traffic. Speeders will receive appropriate discipline.

Adherence to these rules and regulations will help to ensure that the objectives of the course are attained and that each student derives the maximum personal benefit from the course. The staff will also make every effort to see that this is accomplished.
Mark Stephens
Director, Criminal Justice Training Center
Rev 9/23/03