Initial Officer Training
Officers receive 18 months of extensive training and mentoring before earning their final State of Oregon Certificate.
Basic Academy
The State of Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is mandated by statute to provide basic training for all law enforcement officers in Oregon. Basic Academy training is a 16-week program designed to develop basic skills in all the disciplines needed for performing patrol work in the more than 200 police departments throughout the state. Training involves classroom, skills, and scenario-based training.
Advanced Academy
Portland Police Officers attend a 12-week Advanced Academy subsequent to their 16-week Basic Academy. The Advanced Academy builds on the foundational training recruit officers receive at Basic and develops additional knowledge and skills recruits need for being effective and safe as Portland Police Officers. Training in the Advanced Academy is designed to develop higher levels of skill and confidence in communication, application of the law, decision-making, and tactics. Recruits develop a full range of knowledge and skills necessary for their work as Portland Police Officers. On average, the Bureau conducts two Advanced Academies each year.
Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP): FTEP is an 18-month program that begins on the date an officer is sworn in. During FTEP, Field Training Officers (FTOs/Coaches) provide on-the-job training. Recruit officers train in a variety of patrol functions and receive weekly evaluations, progressing through six phases as they demonstrate competency in standardized tasks.
Recruit officers work a minimum of 24 weeks with a coach in the car with them. In the last months of FTEP, the coach serves as a mentor on the recruit’s shift. During FTEP, recruits work all three precincts, traffic rotate shifts, and have a minimum of four coaches.
Recruit officers and laterals all receive two to four days of training in alternatives to incarceration for youth. This is provided through our System Integration & Resource Network (SIRN) Program. It familiarizes them with current issues, programs available, and the youth services system.
Ongoing Sworn Training: Annual In-Service
The Portland Police Bureau operates an annual in-service for sworn personnel to refresh their skills and train on the latest law enforcement tactics, techniques and strategies. Our goal is to continually develop the best trained police officers to safely and effectively meet the needs of Portland citizens. On average, Portland officers participate in 30 hours of in-service training per year, exceeding State of Oregon requirements. The Training Division also offers additional courses related to specialized skills such as All-Terrain Vehicles, Bicycles, and Advanced Active Shooter.
Portland Police Training Complex
- Police Vehicle Operations Skill Pad
- Defensive Tactics Mat Rooms
- Firearms Ranges
- Multiple Classrooms of Varying Sizes
- Patrol Tactics Scenario Village
- Administrative Offices
- Green components include: water efficiency; multiple energy performance measures; recycling of materials, purchasing and waste.
Training Advisory Council
The TAC's mission is to provide ongoing advice to the Chief of Police and the Training Division in order to continuously improve training standards, practices and outcomes through the examination of training content, delivery, tactics, policy, equipment and facilities.
Learn more about the Training Advisory Council
Training Research and Evaluation Reports
Annual plans, reviews, reports and evaluations of Portland Police Bureau Training.