Training & Education

21st Century Police Leadership (21 CPL)  is an intensive course designed to foster, train and empower law enforcement leaders.  Selected applicants will be assigned to a cohort that will receive this training during a 3-month period.  The primary courses embedded within this curriculum are Emotional Intelligence, Effective Communications and Cultivating Culture.  The delivery method for this curriculum will involve pre-course self-study work, 3 days in class a month (totaling 9 days of actual class time) followed by assignments and peer learning calls between courses.

On this page you will find various online training courses and supplemental training resources available for law enforcement, corrections, and other public safety personnel.

The 24-hour CJTC Enhanced Patrol Carbine Optics Instructor course is designed to provide law enforcement, corrections, and private security firearms instructors with a basic understanding of the operational capabilities of a standard semi-automatic patrol carbine/rifle equipped with an enhanced optic for patrol use. The focus of this course will be maximizing speed and precision at distance and from hasty shooting positions. Students will use either a Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO) or 3x-5x Optical Sight Magnifier to scout and effectively identify threats at varied distances in a patrol environment. Students will learn techniques to transition from the use of the LVPO/Magnified RDS at distance threats to close engagements. This course is a blend of classroom and range to give the participant information related to enhanced patrol carbine optics, concepts, principles, and training methodologies while also giving them practical range time to further develop their skill in operation and teaching the enhanced patrol carbine.

This course is not a "sniper" course. It is intended for patrol level operations with a patrol carbine/rifle. This course will not address topics such as scope reticles, spotters, bolt actions rifles, barrier penetrating rounds, fieldcraft, etc.

A prerequisite to attend the course is successful completion of the CJTC Patrol Carbine Instructor course, or comparable Carbine / Rifle Instructor certifications. Comparable certifications are to be evaluated by the Firearms Program Manager.

The 40-hour CJTC Handgun Instructor Course is designed to teach law enforcement and corrections personnel the skills required to lead safe and effective handgun training at the agency level. Participants should be proficient public speakers with above average marksmanship and weapons manipulation skills. This course is a blend of classroom and range to give the participant information related to the semi-automatic handgun platform and instructing the same, while also giving them practical range time to further develop their skill in operation and teaching the semi-automatic handgun.

All students must pass the Handgun Instructor Entry Test with a score of 90% or better on day one of the course. Failure will result in the student being released from the course.

This 16-hour CJTC Handgun Instructor Recertification course should be attended within 5 years of the last certification. This class serves as a recertification for CJTC Handgun Instructors and CJTC Handgun Optics Instructors. This course will provide the current firearms instructor with contemporary techniques and theories as well as a review, along with updates on handgun optics technology and training standards. In addition, this course will provide a review of federal and state laws and contemporary legal standards relating to the use of deadly force.

The 40-hour CJTC Patrol Carbine Instructor Course is designed to teach law enforcement and corrections personnel the skills required to lead safe and effective patrol carbine training at the agency level. Participants should be proficient public speakers with above average marksmanship and weapons manipulation skills. This course is a blend of classroom and range to give the participant information related to the carbine platform and instructing the same, while also giving them practical range time to further develop their skill in operation and teaching the patrol carbine.

A prerequisite to attend the course is successful completion of the CJTC Handgun Instructor course, or comparable Handgun Instructor certifications. Comparable certifications are to be evaluated by the Firearms Program Manager.

All students must pass the Patrol Carbine Instructor Entry Test with a score of 90% or better on day one of the course. Failure will result in the student being released from the course.

This 16-hour CJTC Patrol Carbine Instructor Recertification course should be attended within 5 years of the last certification. This course will provide the current firearms instructor with contemporary techniques and theories as well as a review, along with updates on technology and training standards. In addition, this course will provide a review of federal and state laws and contemporary legal standards relating to the use of deadly force.

The 40-hour CJTC Shotgun Instructor Course is designed to teach law enforcement and corrections personnel the skills required to lead safe and effective shotgun training at the agency level. Participants should be proficient public speakers with above average marksmanship and weapons manipulation skills. This course is a blend of classroom and range to give the participant information related to the pump and semi-automatic shotgun platforms and instruct the same, while also giving them practical range time to further develop their skill in operation and teaching the shotgun.

A prerequisite to attend the course is successful completion of the CJTC Handgun Instructor course, or comparable Handgun Instructor certifications. Comparable certifications are to be evaluated by the Firearms Program Manager.

All students must pass the Shotgun Instructor Entry Test with a score of 90% or better on day one of the course. Failure will result in the student being released from the course.

This 8-hour CJTC Shotgun Instructor Recertification course should be attended within 5 years of the last certification. This course will provide the current firearms instructor with contemporary techniques and theories as well as a review, along with updates on technology and training standards. In addition, this course will provide a review of federal and state laws and contemporary legal standards relating to the use of deadly force.

The Advanced Medicolegal Forensic Investigation training course is designed for coroners, medical examiners, and medicolegal investigative personnel and is intended to provide continuing education. Topics will vary and will focus on advanced death investigative concepts, new trends, and best practices. This course may be used to maintain Washington State Certification.

The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) and Washington Animal Control Association (WACA) have partnered together to offer the Animal Control Officer Academy. This 80-hour intensive course is held at the WSCJTC center in Burien, Washington and is specifically designed for Animal Control Officers. Instructors consist of WACA personnel who will cover a variety of topics to satisfy Washington state’s Animal Control Officer requirements.

The Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) is Washington State’s mandated training academy for all entry-level peace officers. Through a centralized training model and with a focus on a guardian model of policing, students attend a wide array of best-practices courses throughout their 720 academy hours. WSCJTC is committed to developing new officers to high standards by providing exceptional community-oriented law enforcement training that imparts the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively protect the life, liberty, and property of those they serve.

As specified in WAC 139-05-210, a Law Enforcement agency hiring a lateral entry officer is required to complete the equivalency certification process . This includes the successful completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy [BLEEA]. In compliance with the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act and education about current laws and patrol tactics, the BLEEA provides instruction on the Washington Model of Policing.

This course is directed toward Law Enforcement Officers recently assigned to a specialized SWAT or emergency response team. This course will provide the participants with an understanding of contemporary theories and concepts used during Law Enforcement tactical operations. Participants will gain practical experience operating as a member of a team during practical and scenario-based field exercises designed to develop both individual and team tactics. Participants will gain practical experience planning, developing & executing missions.

This is a 4 day (32 hour) multidisciplinary online course for WA State law enforcement investigators, prosecutors, and specialized child interviewers. There are 30 hours of classroom and self-study with 2 hours of pre-course work.

The focus is on improving investigative skills in child sexual abuse and physical abuse cases, with emphasis on the forensic interview with the child in suspected sexual and physical abuse cases for law enforcement, prosecutors, and CPS investigators.

Each applicant will:

Notice: The 2025 CIT 2-HR Online Annual Training Course, to be completed by all law enforcement, will close by 3:00 pm on December 31, 2025. Click here to access the Acadis Portal.

This 8-hour course provides law enforcement officers with training on youth mental health, current crisis trends affecting juveniles, and the resources available in King County to support young people and their families. Participants learn practical skills for recognizing youth-specific behavioral health concerns and for applying communication and de-escalation techniques appropriate for adolescent development.

This course provides comprehensive training on the legal and clinical aspects of mental illness, including civil commitments, liability considerations, mental disorders, and indicators of a mental health/substance use crisis. Participants learn practical skills in communication, documentation, and de-escalation to effectively engage individuals in crisis and work collaboratively with families, community resources, and behavioral-health partners.

This course provides comprehensive training on the legal and clinical aspects of mental illness, including civil commitments, liability considerations, mental disorders, and indicators of a mental health/substance use crisis. Participants learn practical skills in communication, documentation, and de-escalation to effectively engage individuals in crisis and work collaboratively with families, community resources, and behavioral-health partners.

Instruction emphasizes practical skills, allowing students to strengthen decision-making, interpersonal communication, and crisis-response strategies across a range of patrol-level situations.

This 8 hour Corrections Crisis Intervention Training (CCIT) course is designed to inform, educate and/or reiterate the best practices for dealing with detainees that may go through a crisis while in custody. The intent of this course is to understand, recognize, and discuss the techniques and skills needed for dealing with detainees and subjects in mental health crisis. Communication and de-escalation techniques will be presented for positive and favorable outcomes.

This program is funded by the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) 2 Initiative PRI-08: Crisis Intervention Training – First Responders for King County Sheriff, Police, Jail Staff, Fire/EMS, and Other First Responders. In collaboration with the King County Sheriff’s Office and King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division.

This is an 8-hour class to educate law enforcement officers on issues related to Crisis Intervention. This course will provide updated materials, skills, and public relations in regards to dealing with mentally ill individuals while on duty.

This 8-hour course provides law enforcement officers with training on the legal and practical considerations of using force during encounters involving individuals in behavioral health crisis. Participants learn to assess risk, evaluate force options, and apply decision-making skills that align with agency policy, legal standards, and crisis-intervention principles.

Mental Health First Aid for Public Safety is an 8-hour skills-based course that helps law enforcement and public safety personnel recognize the signs of a developing mental health or substance use crisis and respond safely and effectively. Participants learn to identify risk factors, understand common behavioral health conditions, and apply communication and engagement strategies when supporting someone experiencing a mental health challenge.

This class is 80 hours in length and expands on the teaching of the Basic course, and provides new material.

This class is 40 hours in length and teaches basic techniques to investigate collisions.

This class is 120 hours in length and will provide students working knowledge of all skills gained in both the Basic and Advanced courses.

The Core Medicolegal Forensic Investigation training course is designed for coroners, medical examiners, and medicolegal investigative personnel and is intended to provide a solid foundation of medicolegal topics. This course will teach and establish standards of practice for personnel in Washington State. During this training, participants will gain an in-depth understanding of topics such as medicolegal death investigation systems, death scene investigation, and identification procedures.

The Corrections Officers Academy (COA) is Washington State’s mandated training academy for all entry-level corrections officers. This 400-hour academy is designed to provide training for employees whose primary job functions are to facilitate the custody, safety, and security of adults in jails. The COA provides participants with the basic knowledge and skills needed for safe and effective service. Training Coordinators act as coaches and mentors to individuals and the group as a whole. Professionalism and decorum are encouraged to foster officers’ pride and ownership of conduct. Students are also organized into teams with Team Leaders serving to enhance group performance.

The Corrections Officers Equivalency process is 80 hours in length and represents an alternative challenge to the regular Academy program. It is available to previously employed corrections officers upon the request of the respective agency head.

The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) has launched an on-line duty to intervene training to meet Substitute Senate Bill 5066 (SSB 5066). The training is self-guided and will take approximately three hours to complete in Acadis. The bill does not state a specific training that must be completed. WSCJTC’s duty to intervene training is an additional resource but is not mandated nor required.

In this self-paced course, officers will learn multiple strategies to apply when interacting with individuals in their community with differing backgrounds. This course provides supplemental methods to the LETCSA overarching principles of pace management which involves time, distance, and shielding. The development of this course was a partnership with the following organizations: Kitsap Support, Advocacy, and Counseling; Rebuilding Hope! Sexual Assault Center for Pierce County; Washington State Department of Social and Health Services; and Spokane Immigrant Rights Coalition.

This 40 hour course is designed for persons with designated responsibilities associated with the property room. Course content includes:

• Washington State laws pertaining to property and evidence
• Job description and responsibilities
• Storage and organization methods
• WASPC accreditation standards
• WSP crime lab packaging and submission guidelines
• Audits and inventories
• Best practices: Policies and Procedures
• Retention guidelines and disposition projects
• Evidence in Court

Our EVOC Instructor Basic course is designed to train officers to instruct students by conducting commentary drives and offering remedial driver training. Officers will be able to teach the laws of physics relating to vehicle motions (which affect vehicle operation) and identify common driving errors, improper attitudes, and unsafe driving techniques. Subject matter experts present our course with interactive exercises and opportunities to practice skills and receive constructive feedback.

This 40 hour course presents the FTO model (sometimes called the San Jose Model program) to field trainers engaged in training those who have recently completed the BLEA, Corrections or Equivalency academies. Classroom topics will include:

The job of a First Level Supervisor is perhaps the most challenging position in the organization and clearly critical to its success. Based upon a comprehensive Job Task Analysis conducted jointly with its stakeholders, the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) has re-designed the First Level Supervision Training program.

The 24-hour CJTC Handgun Optics Instructor course is designed to bring current law enforcement, corrections, and private security firearms instructors up to date on the fundamentals of teaching and integrating handgun optics into their training curriculum or agency program.

The substance use disorder program is excited to announce a new virtual training (in partnership with PEER WA), Course #8028 - How Co-Response with SUD Peers is changing the way police respond to challenging crisis calls.

The WSCJTC Instructor Certification Program is a WSCJTC initiative to give individuals the knowledge, skills, and experience to instruct Criminal Justice courses effectively and competently.

This 40 hour class teaches the basic skills necessary to prepare and present knowledge and psychomotor based training in a classroom environment. This class is best suited for students who have less than two years in course delivery and no formal training in instructional techniques, but is open to those of all skill levels. A high level of student participation is required.

The United States is home to over 500 different federally recognized tribes, each of them with unique culture, history, and contemporary issues. Upon completion of this course students will be able to illustrate and integrate principles of cultural humility, including but not limited to, knowledge of cultural responsiveness and the role of law enforcement in their relationships with Indigenous people.

In order to facilitate successful interactions with Black Americans in their community, students will learn about the generational trauma that impacts the experience of Black Americans in U.S. society. Fundamental concepts and principles of race and policing are taught to better understand perceptions, challenges, and relationships between law enforcement and Black Americans through lecture, self-reflection, and videos.

Per WAC 139-10-240, the Juvenile Corrections Officers Academy (JCOA) is an 80 hour academy designed to train corrections personnel responsible for the care, custody, and safety of juvenile offenders in county facilities.

Per WAC 139-10-237, the Juvenile Services Academy is a 40-hour course designed to train employees whose primary job function is to assess, case plan, and/or manage, counsel, and/or monitor juvenile offenders.

The Holocaust Center for Humanity, in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, provides the Law Enforcement and Society: Lessons of the Holocaust (LEAS) program to police agencies in Washington State. Officers will learn about the role of police in Nazi Germany and to reflect on their role in a democratic society today. Officers will learn to build more positive relationships with specific communities within areas they serve by understanding how biases, stereotypes, and a lack of understanding about varying cultural norms negatively impacts police interactions with the public.

This course is split into three parts that introduces the audience to the role of law enforcement during the Holocaust and the role law enforcement plays in society. In the first part, students are introduced to the Holocaust Center for Humanity, the course instructors, and will go through a virtual tour of the Center. In the second part, students will examine the role of law enforcement during the Holocaust. They will be asked to critically think about various scenarios by way of photo analysis and discussion. In the third part of the course students will go through a guided lecture and discussion about the role of law enforcement in today’s society, and more specifically their role in law enforcement and the communities they serve. Several questions will be asked to facilitate self-reflection and group discussion.

To register for the course, contact your Training Manager to assign the training to you via Acadis. Registration does not guarantee acceptance into the class. Selections will be completed six weeks prior to the class; those accepted into the class will receive a notification at that time. If you register for the class with less than six weeks until the date, please email the LETCSA team.

This 40-hour course provides a practical overview of law enforcement records handling, designed to give participants a solid foundation in the legal standards and responsibilities essential to records operations including but not limited to the following material:

• An introduction to the criminal justice system
• State and Federal criminal history guidelines
• Records dissemination
• Media relations
• Firearms laws
• Property and evidence
• Licensing

This is the follow up certification for 6240 Control/Defensive Tactics (C/DT) and Use of Force (UOF) for Law Enforcement Officers. WSCJTC recognizes no students are proficient in all skills and knowledge in just one week of training. To ensure skills and knowledge are proficient the 6241-LEAD Instructor Course is Mandatory if being a lead or regional instructor is your goal. This 40-hour course includes a review for all the skill instruction, use of force, acute behavioral disorders and report writing.

The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA - 18USC926C) authorizes retired and separated law enforcement officers nationwide to carry concealed weapons throughout the country.

Please visit our LEOSA certification page to learn more. Applicants must meet the standards established by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy for Covert Carry/Off Duty Proficiency.

This training equips participants with current and accurate information surrounding laws, the historical context around the relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and law enforcement, terminology, and more so that officers feel confident in their knowledge regarding the LGBTQ+ community. Other areas covered in this training will be gender identity, gender expression, and pronoun usage so that officers may effectively and respectfully communicate with LGBTQ+ individuals. After completing this training, officers will receive 2.5 hours of LETCSA credits.

Effective January 1, 2006, every peace officer certified under RCW 43-101-095 is required to complete a minimum of 24-hours of in-service training annually. 

Change to Middle Management Career Level Certification Training Requirements – Effective January 1, 2023, the mandated course required to obtain Middle Management Career Level Certification will become the 21^st Century Police Leadership (21CPL) course. Those requiring Middle Management Certification will need to complete this three-week course, serve 12 months in their promoted rank then submit their application for certification. The 40-hour Middle Management course will no longer be offered.