That’s why the Southport Police Department has spent so much time and energy in training its officers, Maj. David Howe said.
After more than a year of research, planning and forming the Southport Police Academy, the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy has granted Southport a Certified Reserve Officer Academy (Tier II).
“It’s a big win for the city,” Howe said. “We’re a small city. To get this accomplished as a team is something that should make the citizens of Southport proud. This is quite an accomplishment for a department our size.”
Tier II certification is designed for agencies such as town marshals, department of corrections police, Gaming Commission and hospital police. Southport’s academy is one of only three training programs in the state with this certification and the only full-time reserve department.
“We wanted to be considered more of a training hub for smaller agencies because a lot of these smaller agencies are forgotten about,” Howe said. “We would welcome outside agencies that would like to put their officers or new hires through our academy.”
Recruits spent 40 hours in firearms training, including eight hours of training in a firearms tactical simulator. They also spend 40 hours in emergency vehicle operations training and first aid training.
The academy’s next training program begins April 2. Email recruit
[email protected] for more information.