BATON TRAINING COURSE ACCREDITATION Guidelines for Accreditation Application GENERAL INFORMATION The Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA) focuses on providing higher standards for the security services and investigator industry in Alberta. One measure of these standards is mandatory training for general licensing and specialized training for use of batons. Companies offering these training courses must have the course content reviewed and accredited by the Registrar, Security programs, if it is to be acknowledged as an accepted course for applicants under SSIA. Upon approval by the Registrar, companies will be issued a unique accreditation number. Accreditation is valid for 3 years only. Training providers must re-apply every 3 years, prior to the expiry of their current accreditation, with any changes, amendments or alternations to the training course. Any changes to the course curriculum during the 3 year term must be reviewed and approved prior to implementation. Requests for trainer accreditation may be submitted with the business application or separately using the Trainer Accreditation Application form. Additional information on training accreditation is available in the Policy Manual. Direct questions about the accreditation process and application package to: Tammy Spink, Accreditation Analyst, Staff College Solicitor General and Ministry of Public Security Email: Tammy.Spink@gov.ab.ca Direct: 780-422-9399 REQUIREMENTS Section 14(3) of the Security Services and Investigator (Ministerial) Regulation requires all individual licensees who wish to be qualified to use a baton on duty to complete an accredited 40 hour use-offorce/baton course and recertify every 3 years. The accredited training course must include at least 8 hours dedicated to baton training. The Ministry does not intend to be the sole source provider of training programs for the security and investigation service industry in Alberta. Accreditation assures the industry that training courses meet the minimum training standards required for licensing under SSIA. Baton Training Course Accreditation Guidelines and Application 2011/12/16 Page 1 of 5
ACCREDITATION PROCESS Companies who wish to offer baton/use-of-force training courses that meet the requirements for licensing under the SSIA must have the baton portion of the course accredited. In addition, the trainer or instructor teaching the course must be accredited by the Ministry (see Application for Trainer Accreditation Form). Accreditation will be granted to companies that can demonstrate that their course meets the minimum requirements and standards outlined below, including background and development, training material sources, program length, instructor certification standards, instructor student ration, candidate prerequisites, resources and equipment, training methodology, examination process, acknowledgement of successful completion and recertification process. Note: The accreditation process is independent of licensing under SSIA and any changes in the status of accreditation will not extend to the company s or individual s SSIA licence, in most cases. The following documentation must be included in the Request for Accreditation (Baton Training) Package: Request for Baton Training Course Accreditation Application Form Outline of course content and criteria, including manuals, teaching guides and other documents that demonstrate how the baton portion of the course meets the minimum standards outlined below Any other documentation requested on the application form Application forms are available at www.securityprograms.alberta.ca. Requests for accreditation must be submitted to the Registrar, Security Programs, for review. Upon successfully meeting the criteria for accreditation, the company will be issued a unique accreditation number and a certificate of accreditation. The company s certificate must be displayed at the business premises. Unsuccessful candidates will receive a letter outlining deficiencies in their presentation and may resubmit upon meeting the requirements for accreditation. Accreditation Process Timeline: 1. Upon receipt of the Request for Baton Training Course Accreditation form and package, staff will review contents for completeness of package. Incomplete or illegible packages will be returned with a letter outlining deficiencies. 2. Complete packages will be forwarded to the accreditation team for review and assessment. At any time the accreditation team may request additional information or return a package as incomplete. A letter will be issued outlining the specific requirements and/or deficiencies. 3. The accreditation team will make a recommendation to the Registrar to either accredit the course or reject the application for accreditation. 4. Upon successful accreditation a letter of agreement and certificate will be issued to the company. The letter will provide a unique accreditation number that must be noted on all certificates and/or letters issued to successful trainees and alerts licensing department staff that this training is accredited when submitted for licensing purposes. The accreditation process will take an average of 4 to 6 weeks. Where additional information is requested or a package is returned as incomplete by the accreditation team, additional time may be required to complete the accreditation review. Baton Training Course Accreditation Guidelines and Application 2011/12/16 Page 2 of 5
AUDITS Accredited companies are subject to audit (inspection and investigation) by the Registrar. The outcome of an audit may influence a company s accreditation standing. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Upon application or renewal of accreditation, or after an inspection or investigation, the Registrar may vary the terms and/or conditions of accreditation, as deemed necessary. RE-ACCREDITATION Accreditation must be renewed every 3 years to ensure that accredited courses continue to meet minimum Ministry standards for training. ACCREDIATION DECISION If a request for accreditation is rejected, the applicant may request a review of the Registrar s decision. A letter will be forwarded to the applicant advising of the reasons for the rejection and providing details about the review process. The request for review must be submitted in writing, within 30 days of being notified of the Registrar s decision, and include all necessary supporting documentation. The request must be sent to: Director of Law Enforcement Solicitor General and Ministry of Public Security 10 th Floor, 10365-97 Street Edmonton AB T5J 3W7 COURSE CONTENT/CURRICULUM Courses submitted for accreditation must contain two critical elements: general use-of-force practical training and baton training. The course must be minimum 40 hours in length with at least 8 hours dedicated to baton training. Only the baton training portion of the course will be accredited. The remainder of the 40 hour course will be generally reviewed, but not accredited, to any SSIA standard including the Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT) curriculum. Information collected about the general use-of-force training portion of the course is for the purposes of course context, development and standards. Curriculum should include the following: Baton Training: Legal consideration for use of batons/impact weapons, striking techniques, advantages and disadvantages of different types of batons and alternatives to use of batons. Upon completion of training, students should be able to: Identify the context and appropriate use of the baton Demonstrate precautions to reduce the likely occurrence of legal liability Understand that use of batons is at the discretion of the employer and students responsibility to identify company policy regarding baton use Identify the force options context regarding baton usage Identify and explain the function and parts of the baton Explain the primary objective of baton use Identify primary target areas for strikes and deadly force target areas Baton Training Course Accreditation Guidelines and Application 2011/12/16 Page 3 of 5
Demonstrate various baton techniques including: stance, positioning/movement, drawing/sheathing, open/closed mode strikes, retention techniques Demonstrate correct post-deployment procedures Weapon retention and disarming of user: Weapon retention procedures and disarming techniques. Skills and knowledge necessary to deal with encounters resulting in disarming or attempts to disarm the security worker, including identifying threatening behaviour, reaction times, survival responses and maintaining control of the subject and environment. Baton Nomenclature: General maintenance and secure storage of batons. Students should be able to disassemble the baton and name the various components, understand the requirements and restrictions for the baton under SSIA and understand their responsibility in understanding company policy and individual responsibility for maintenance and storage or batons. For re-accreditation applications only - Changes, Amendments or Additions to Curriculum since last accredited: List all changes to the course curriculum since the curriculum was last reviewed for accreditation. Include descriptions of course content or describe changes that were made in the Course Content section of the application form. Accreditation Criteria Guide: Complete the Request for Baton Training Course Accreditation Application Form with the following information. The information requested primarily focuses on the baton training portion of the curriculum but some general information about the whole course is also requested. Course Description: General description of course, intended audience, training objectives and learning outcomes. Note if the course has been revised since last accredited. Should include description of both the general course and more specifically the baton training portion of the course. Scope: Identify who the course is designed for, expected competency levels, where the course will be offered and methods of delivery (i.e. in-house, private training course, post secondary). Program Length: Must be minimum 40 hours with at least 8 hours dedicated to baton training. Course Development: Identify the courses and sources of content the course is based on (i.e. Solicitor General/Public Security Staff College, Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT), who developed the course and their background and experience in developing training courses, including their level of personal training. Should include information on both the general course and more specifically the baton training portion of the course. Training Material Sources: List all sources used to develop the training materials, manuals and instructor manuals. Should include information on both the general course and more specifically the baton training portion of the course. Course Content: Attach expanded table of contents with summary of content for each section. For the baton training section list learning outcomes. Indicate time allotted for each section (i.e. 8 hrs). Baton Training Course Accreditation Guidelines and Application 2011/12/16 Page 4 of 5
Instructor Certification Standards: List the company s required training for instructors (must be instructor level certificates) and any additional training expected such as current basic first aid training. Attach a list of instructors who hold/will be applying for Trainer Accreditation. Instructor to Student Ratio: Identify the instructor to student ratio for classes. Recommended ratio is 1:6. Candidate Prerequisites: List any training or background required of students prior to enrollment. Resources/Equipment: Describe the facilities where baton training courses will be taught. List all equipment to be used for baton training purposes including specialized tools or simulation systems that benefit the training process. Describe the simulated environments/circumstances that will be used during baton training demonstrations. Training Methodology: Describe the foundation and methodology employed in developing the training course as a whole, and specifically the baton training portion of the course, and how the course was developed, including specific individuals involved in the development of the course and their backgrounds/experience. Attach CVs. Testing: Identify the testing techniques to be used for the course as a whole and specifically the baton portion of the course (i.e. multiple choice written exam, practical exam, scenarios). Note how much weight is afforded to section of the curriculum during the examination process and what the final evaluation will include. Identify who is responsible for assessment (i.e. instructor, other). Students must attain a score of not less than 80% to be certified and accepted as a training qualification under SSIA. Acknowledgement of Pass/Certificate: Describe what documents will be issued to students upon successful completion of training (i.e. certificate, letter) and attach a copy of the documents, noting how the accreditation number will be incorporated. Certificate/letter must show issue and expiry dates. Under SSIA, licensed workers must undergo recertification for baton use every 36 months. Record Keeping: State how long student records and test score will be kept and where the permanent records will be stored. Liability Insurance: Provide proof of insurance. Companies must hold proper liability insurance for the protection of both the company and the students. A minimum $1 million is required. Baton Training Course Accreditation Guidelines and Application 2011/12/16 Page 5 of 5