LETCSA Training Requirements
The Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act (LETCSA) establishes required training for new and existing law enforcement officers in Washington. Existing officers must complete 40 hours of LETCSA training every three years, including 24 hours of patrol tactics training and 16 hours of cultural awareness training. New officers complete 200 hours of LETCSA-required training as part of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA).
Use the navigation below to find details about WSCJTC’s LETCSA training requirements including required courses, training timelines, registration information, and additional resources to help officers and agencies meet these requirements.
LETCSA Training Requirements
For Existing Law Enforcement Officers
24 Hours
De-escalation patrol tactics
+
16 Hours
Cultural awareness training
=
40 Hours Total
Every three years
De-Escalation / Patrol Tactics (PTI)
24 hours every 3 years
These hours can be satisfied through one in-person course:
- Patrol Tactics 24 Hour In-Service (course 2194)
Cultural Awareness
16 hours every 3 years
These hours can be met by taking multiple different virtual, self-paced courses in this category. Officers may pick and choose courses adding up to at least 16 total hours.
CIT Exceptions
Up to 6 hours of CIT training
When necessary, a total of 6 hours of existing Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training over the course of the 3-year cycle can be counted towards the 16 hours of Cultural Awareness training.
LETCSA Training Requirements
For Incoming Law Enforcement Officers
200 Hours
Out of 720 total hours during basic training
Already Included
BLEA programs satisfy LETCSA requirements
Post-Graduation
3-year recurring training begins after graduation
In May 2020, BLEA class #800 was the first to complete LETCSA requirements. Incumbent peace officers who graduated before December 7, 2019, must complete their first cycle of LETCSA training by January 1, 2028.
For BLEA questions, email us at:
For general LETCSA questions, email us at:
Breakdown of Recurring Trainings for Existing Officers
Violence and De-Escalation Patrol Tactics (PTI)
LETCSA requires 24 hours of violence de-escalation training as part of the 40 hours of recurring training for existing officers.
Patrol Tactics In-Service
Course #2194
24 hours
Course #2194 serves as 24-hours of training for the LETCSA requirements for patrol tactics for commissioned law enforcement officers in Washington State in accordance with WAC 139.11. The 80-hour PTI course #2190 may also be applied towards the 24-hour requirement.
For general PTI questions, email us at:
Violence and De-Escalation Patrol Tactics Program Manager
- Jack Nasworthy
- (206) 608-1288
- Jack.Nasworthy@cjtc.wa.gov
Cultural Awareness Training
LETCSA requires 16 hours of cultural awareness training as part of the 40 hours of recurring training for existing officers.
Officers must complete 16 hours of approved cultural awareness training.
Most of these trainings are online and self-paced. Courses may be combined to meet the 16-hour requirement.
Note that, if necessary, up to 6 hours of CIT training can be applied to the 16-hour cultural awareness requirement.
For Cultural Awareness training questions, contact:
- Alex Buijs, LETCSA Program Manager
- (206) 591-7930
- alex.buijs@cjtc.wa.gov
Pick and choose from the following courses to fulfill 16 total hours of Cultural Awareness training.
| Course Name | Course Number | Hours | View Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who Are the Sikhs? | 4000 | 1 hour | View Course |
| * Law Enforcement and Society: Lessons of the Holocaust | 4010 | 2.5 hours | View Course |
| ** Deaf Awareness | 4015 | 8 hours | View Course |
| Criminal Legal Systems: Structural Inequalities, Monetary Sanctions, Policy & Reform | 4020 | 2 hours | View Course |
| Building Relationships with American Muslims | 4025 | 1 hour | View Course |
| Effective Communication | 4030 | 2.5 hours | View Course |
| LGBTQ+ Core Competency | 4040 | 2.5 hours | View Course |
| Introduction to Indigenous Concepts and Culture | 4050 | 3 hours | View Course |
| People First: Awareness, Challenges and Response to Poverty and Recidivism | 4070 | 1 hour | View Course |
| Understanding the Diversity and Complexity of Asians and Asian American Communities | 4080 | 1.5 hours | View Course |
* Real-time, online attendance required - virtual
** In-person attendance required
All other courses are virtual, asynchronous, and can be taken on your own time.
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training
CIT training may be used to substitute for up to 6 hours of the 16 hours of cultural awareness training for existing officers.
Annual CIT Training
Course #8089
2 Hours Per Year
Officers are encouraged to complete all 16 hours of cultural awareness training through the designated courses above. However, when necessary, the annual 2-hour CIT training may count toward this requirement for a maximum of 6 hours over the three-year LETCSA training cycle.
For general CIT questions, email us at:
Learn more about exemptions and waivers here.
Partner agencies can register for available LETCSA courses directly through Acadis.
FAQs for Officers and Instructors
- I just completed a LETCSA course. How do I print my certificate off Acadis?
-
The only LETCSA training with a certificate of completion is the 24-hour Patrol Tactics In-Service. All other LETCSA trainings do not have a certificate. Your class completion is shown on your ACADIS transcript.
- I was certified as a peace officer before December 7, 2019. When do I need to complete the LETCSA training?
-
All peace officers certified in Washington before December 7, 2019, and lateral peace officers certified in Washington after December 7, 2019, must complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing LETCSA training every three years after receiving their initial peace officer certification. Incumbent peace officers must complete their first cycle of LETCSA training by January 1, 2028.
- What if I graduated from BLEA between December 2019—May 2020?
-
Suppose your graduation and certification date was between December 7, 2019, and May 2020. In that case, your training timeline is the same as the peace officers certified before December 7, 2019, and you must complete the first training cycle by January 1, 2028.
- I graduated from BLEA after May 2020. When do I need to complete my first round of LETCSA training?
-
Newly graduated incumbent peace officers must take LETCSA training every three years starting after their graduation date.
- I would like to assist in developing a LETCSA course or recommend someone/an organization to assist in that effort. How may I do that?
-
Please email cjtcletcsa@cjtc.wa.gov with your recommendation and WSCJTC LETCSA staff will follow-up with you.
- I took a training on a similar topic. May I submit a variance for the WSCJTC LETCSA course?
-
Per WAC 139-11-030, any request for exemption, waiver, extension, or variance from any requirement of this chapter must be made under WAC 139-03-030. Additionally, the WSCJTC has adopted a policy which provides further details and clarity regarding this process and is available here.
- Where do I send feedback regarding online, self-paced LETCSA courses?
-
Please send your feedback to cjtcletcsa@cjtc.wa.gov.
- What are the training requirements for certified peace officers?
-
The answer to this question depends on an officer’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) graduation and certification date. Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 139-11 separates Washington state peace officers into groups with differing timelines. Per WAC 139-11-060 (1), all incumbent peace officers are required to complete forty hours of training every three years.
Contact Us
General LETCSA Inquiries
LETCSA Program Manager
- Alex Buijs
- (206) 591-7930
- alex.buijs@cjtc.wa.gov
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