Section 203.51. Basic police training course curriculum

(a) The Commission will set the number of hours required in the basic police training course. The Commission will publish a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and in the Commission newsletter whenever the number of hours required in the basic police training course changes.

(b) The Commission reserves the right to determine the course content of each area as needed. The basic police training course curriculum shall include instruction in at least the following areas:

(1) Pennsylvania criminal law.

(2) Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.

(3) Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.

(4) Antisocial behavior.

(5) Professional relations.

(6) Physical conditioning.

(7) Human relations skills.

(8) Application of force.

(9) Firearms training.

(10) Patrol procedures and operations.

(11) Investigations.

(12) Communications.

(13) Handling violent and dangerous people.

(14) Custody.

(15) First aid and CPR.

(16) Operation of patrol vehicle.

(17) Other subjects the Commission deems necessary.

Notation

Notes of Decisions

Course Curriculum

Through Waterways Conservation Officers (WCOs) are authorized by statute to stop and arrest for any violation of law classified as a felony or misdemeanor, WCOs may not conduct stops for violations of the Motor Vehicle Code unless they have completed the entire course of instruction specified in this section. Commonwealth v. Himes, 715 A.2d 1208 (Pa. Super. 1998); vacated and remanded 750 A.2d 304 (Pa. 2000).