Training Division

The Scottsdale Police Department’s Training Division is committed to providing recruits, lateral officers, sworn personnel, and professional staff with comprehensive, current, and practical training designed to support excellence in service provided to the community.

Through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on proficiency training, and realistic scenario-based learning, the Training Division prepares employees to meet the evolving demands of law enforcement and their individual responsibilities. Training incorporates established learning principles and emphasizes critical thinking, sound decision-making, professional development, and the practical application of knowledge and skills.

The Training Division provides both foundational and advanced training opportunities throughout an employee’s career. This includes initial training for new employees, continuing education, specialized instruction, and professional development designed to maintain proficiency and support the Department’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, and service.

The Basic Training Section prepares and develops employees to serve the Scottsdale community with professionalism, confidence, accountability, and purpose. Through structured instruction, hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world application, our training programs build the knowledge, skills, judgment, and behaviors necessary for success throughout an employee’s career.

The Scottsdale Police Department Recruits currently attend Mesa Police Department’s Police Academy, which provides comprehensive training to prepare new police officers for the responsibilities of professional law enforcement. Academy instruction combines classroom education, practical skills, and realistic scenario-based training to develop sound decision-making, effective communication, problem-solving, and the ability to build trust with the community.

Training emphasizes both technical proficiency and the foundational behaviors expected of every Scottsdale Police Department employee, serving with integrity, treating others with respect, communicating effectively, working as a team, and remaining accountable for our actions.

Following academy graduation, newly appointed officers participate in department specific training designed to bridge the academy experience with the expectations of the Scottsdale Police Department. This phase reinforces department policies, procedures, tactics, technology, community expectations, and foundational behaviors while preparing officers for the Field Training Program.

The Field Training Unit provides structured, practical development for newly graduated and lateral officers as they transition into the field. Field Training Officers serve as instructors, coaches, and mentors, helping officers apply their academy training to real-world situations while developing sound judgment, communication skills, confidence, and professionalism.

The program establishes consistent performance expectations and provides ongoing feedback and evaluation to support successful development and accountability. The goal is to develop officers who are prepared to make sound decisions, serve with purpose, build trust, and contribute positively to the Department and community.

Scottsdale Police Department recognizes the experience and knowledge that lateral officers bring to the organization. The Lateral Officer Training Program provides experienced officers with department-specific instruction in Scottsdale policies, procedures, practices, technology, and expectations while reinforcing the foundational behaviors that guide how we serve our community.

The program is designed to build upon prior experience while ensuring each lateral officer is prepared to meet Scottsdale Police Department standards and expectations.

The Sergeant Training and Evaluation Program prepares employees to transition into their first level of formal supervision. Training focuses on the knowledge, skills, and leadership behaviors necessary to effectively lead employees, communicate expectations, develop personnel, address performance, and support organizational accountability.

The program emphasizes the role of the first-line supervisor in building trust, developing people, strengthening teamwork, and translating Department expectations into daily practice.

The Lieutenant Training Program develops future leaders through focused instruction, and practical leadership development. The program prepares lieutenant candidates to understand the broader responsibilities of command, make informed decisions, lead through challenges, develop employees, and support the Department’s mission and foundational behaviors.

Through intentional leadership development, the program helps prepare the next generation of Scottsdale Police Department leaders to lead with professionalism, accountability, transparency, and purpose.

The Advanced Training Section provides ongoing, relevant, and practical training to Scottsdale Police Department sworn and professional staff. Training is designed to build upon existing knowledge and skills while preparing employees to effectively respond to evolving challenges and serve the community with professionalism, sound judgment, and accountability. Through classroom instruction, hands-on exercises, and scenario-based training, employees continually develop the skills necessary to communicate effectively, make informed decisions, manage critical incidents, and safely resolve complex situations. Some areas of training include Defensive Tactics, Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC), and employees Annual Training Block.

Included in the Advanced Training Section is firearms training for sworn officers. This training develops and maintains the knowledge, skills, and judgment necessary for the safe and proficient use of firearms. Training emphasizes firearms safety, sound decision-making, tactical awareness, communication, and appropriate responses to dynamic situations. Through proficiency-based and realistic training, officers are prepared to assess rapidly changing circumstances, apply appropriate tactics, and identify opportunities to safely de-escalate encounters whenever practical.

The Advanced Training Section also provides training in the safe and appropriate use of authorized less-lethal tools. This training focuses on decision-making, communication, de-escalation, tactical considerations, and the circumstances in which these tools may be appropriately used.

The Department is committed to the continuous development of its officers through realistic, scenario-based training and the use of emerging technology. Reality-based training, virtual reality, and simulation-based exercises provide officers with opportunities to practice critical decision-making in realistic situations while reinforcing the principles of de-escalation, proportionality, and the appropriate and justified use of force. This comprehensive approach supports the Department’s commitment to safety, accountability, proficiency, and continuous professional development.