Training and Wellness Division

The Basic Training Section’s primary focus is the education, preparation, and development of our members to be inspired, engaged, prepared, and motivated to serve our community as law enforcement professionals.

Basic Police Academy
Mesa Police Academy is an accredited public safety training program serving as a regional training facility through the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board. The Basic Police Academy provides police recruits with training in all areas needed to perform their jobs effectively. The goal is for our officers to recognize concerns, effectively communicate those concerns to all involved parties, and then work to build trust through collaboration to prevent crime, while preserving the quality-of-life standards our citizenry should expect in Mesa. The Basic Police Academy Curriculum consists of 968 hours of classroom, live scenarios, and proficiency based training.

Lateral Transition Program
The Lateral Transition Program focuses on the introduction of the Mesa Police Department’s policies and tactics to seasoned officers who opted to transfer to Mesa. The lateral officers in training undergo the same skills development programs as the Basic Police Academy recruits, focusing on the training techniques and policies of our Department.

All Lateral Officers undergo vigorous hiring practices of our department and is consistent with those hired for the basic police academy. To ensure a potential member meets the department's high standards, an in-depth review of a lateral officer's background, prior job performance, and personal conduct is completed.

The Proficiency Unit
The Proficiency Unit assists the Academy Staff in preparing the recruits for the physical rigors of police work and tactically prepares them for the dangers they may encounter. The training includes defensive tactics, including de-escalation techniques, Police Jiu-Jitsu, and arrest procedures. These skills are reinforced through interactive scenario-based exercises that prepare the recruits through simulated situations our police officers encounter.

The Driver Education program is part of the Proficiency Unit and assists our sworn and professional staff in operating various Police Department vehicles safely. They provide training on safe vehicle operations, collision avoidance, and other emergency vehicle use protocols.

The Advanced Training Section creates, promotes, and fosters individual and organizational effectiveness by developing and facilitating an array of innovative and diverse entry-level and in-service training programs. These programs support the department's commitment to professional development, community partnerships, and public safety. This is accomplished by delivering training programs and content via mobile online learning platforms and interactive scenario-based formats.

Advanced Training Unit

The Advanced Training Unit provides sworn and professional staff members with frequent and relevant in-service training, introducing new concepts to enhance and expand each participant's existing knowledge base and skill set. Such concepts include critical incident management, Integrating Communications, Assessment and Tactics (ICAT), ethics and professionalism, duty to intervene, less-than-lethal tool options, criminal law, and legal procedures.

Field Training Unit

The Field Training Unit is responsible for implementing and administering the field training of our newly graduated officers, sergeant candidates, and lieutenant candidates. The Field Training Unit is instrumental for our Recruits and Laterals' transitional period after they graduate from the Academy setting, focusing on onboarding. Recently graduated officers-in-training are then deployed to one of our patrol divisions as solo police officers.

Field Training Officer (FTO) Program

Each officer-in-training is assigned to a Field Training Officer – a patrol officer with specialized training in developing new officers.

The “S.T.T.M.” Training Model – “Show, Teach, Train, Mentor” is the motto of the Field Training Unit, as it promotes the mentorship and coaching of each officer towards successful outcomes.

The Field Training Program is a 30-week program made up of 5 phases of training and development.

Sergeant Training and Evaluation Program (STEP)

Before one's promotion, a sergeant candidate must satisfactorily complete the Mesa Police Department Sergeant's Training & Evaluation Program, which sets the stage for developing the fundamentals of supervision. Successful completion of STEP ensures a sergeant candidate has the knowledge base of a functional first-line supervisor pending promotion.

Lieutenant Education and Preparation (LEAP)

The LEAP goal is to provide lieutenant candidates with instruction, direction, and guidance, over a 2-week training cycle(PDF, 758KB) to develop successful behaviors necessary for effective leadership and management. Each lieutenant candidate will be involved in a coaching/mentoring relationship with a Lieutenant Mentor throughout the program.

Post-Academy

The Post-Academy curriculum emphasizes Mesa initiatives, administrative responsibilities, community-oriented objectives, and enhanced proficiency training to prepare the newly promoted officer for the FTO program. The post-Academy is an additional 100-hours of training specifically for Mesa employees.

Firearms Training Unit

The Firearms Training Unit teaches the functional knowledge and mechanical skills necessary for the safe and proficient use of firearms. The emphasis is placed on critical decision-making and keen tactical judgment needed to effectively navigate the fluid environment of critical and dangerous situations. The goal is to develop foundational skills and perceptive judgment to de-escalate encounters and thus minimize the occasions for the use of deadly force. All training is conducted by experienced; full-time firearms instructors certified by AZPOST.