CAPCOG’s Regional Law Enforcement Academy and the Emergency Communications Division have started offering in-person training while taking COVID-19 safety precautions, so peace officers and emergency telecommunicators can complete state and federal mandated training requirements. CAPCOG also is continuing to expand its online training catalogue for telecommunicators.
Courses such as the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunication Systems operator can’t be online, because the material refers to accessing law enforcement data that requires extra security. Other courses such as Intermediate Crime Scene Search, Basic Law Enforcement Instructor, and New Supervisor require hands-on training that peace officers can’t get online. CAPCOG will offer all these courses and others throughout October and November. It’s also working to schedule 40-hour basic telecommunicator courses as soon as possible, but until the course is made available, it recommends agencies contact the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement for extension waivers if a telecommunicator is required to take it.
To reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, CAPCOG has limited class sizes, is conducting courses in larger rooms, requiring masks and taking temperature checks. The Emergency Communications Divisions has expanded its online course catalogue, so training opportunities remain flexible to be completed as time allows. Telecommunicators have the ability to take prerecorded, self-paced courses through Virtual Academy — an online training platform — or interactive, live courses via GoToMeeting that cover more specialized and current event topics. For example, two upcoming courses will discuss supervising during a pandemic and how to relieve stress and communicate during the pandemic.
