TRAINING BUREAU
The Training Division of the Oshkosh Police Department is responsible for coordinating training for the entire department. This includes using outside sources for training opportunities, as well as using certified instructors from within the department.
The goal of the Training Division is to provide officers with educational opportunities to improve their skills and abilities, increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of police services provided to the community.
To accomplish this goal the Training Division has an ongoing evaluation process designed to identify training needs and to seek out the best available training opportunities. Typically factors which influence this process are demands placed on the department by current trends in the community and the make up of the department itself. This requires training methods to be refined and updated on a regular basis and for training of officers to be conducted on a continual basis.
Some of the training provided to sworn officers on a continual basis is as follows:
In addition to the above listed training, officers assigned to specialized units or assignments within the department receive additional training to increase their knowledge and skills. The following is a list of some of the units or assignments, which officers receive additional training:
Training for the above listed information is provided in three ways. First, newly assigned officers are required to complete 560 hours of training at a Police Recruit Academy, prior to being certified by the State of Wisconsin as an officer. The basic academy is then followed by an intense 14 week Field Training Program. The recruit officer is assigned to work with and experienced Field Training Officer who trains, observes, and evaluates the newly assigned officer’s progress and performance. In 2003, the Oshkosh Police Department put four officers through its Field Training Program. The newest officers are: Matthew Katz, Adam Haberland, Angela Brazil and Matthew Harris. Second, officers attend in-service training on an annual basis. This training keeps officers up to date on current law enforcement issues and provides practical based training, which officers can apply in their day-to-day activities. Third, officers receive training for duties related to specialized assignments. The complex nature of law enforcement requires the department to have officers who specialize in certain areas, such as Vehicle Contacts Instructors or any of the others specialties listed above. These officers share their knowledge with other officers to increase understanding and proficiency within the department.
Training during 2003 can only be looked at in one way, the year of change. 2003 saw the Oshkosh Police Department experience change in a dramatic way.
The year started with the installation and training on a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. The CAD system brought twenty-first century technology to all departments in Winnebago County. This system also brought new Mobile Data Computers (MDC) to all of our squad cars. These computers allow our officers to run more in depth checks on persons, vehicles and articles from their squads. The training for these two computer changes involved a hands-on computer lab that was set up in cooperation with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department. Setting up a training lab that both departments could use was a very cost-effective way to accomplish this training.
During the same time, our entire department was going through a 16-hour inservice training that contained the following blocks of instruction. Defense and Arrest Tactics (DAAT), firearms, evidence, legal update were all included in this training.
In early May, the entire department went through a Handgun Transition program. This came about when the SIG Sauer handgun company completed a trade with our department which netted the Oshkosh Police Department brand new .357 semi-automatic handguns. SIG Sauer makes a very high quality handgun. The training for these handguns was a 2 to 3 hour program where officers were familiarized with the weapons and did extensive shooting.
On June 5th, 2003 members of the Oshkosh Police Department participated in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. This effort was coordinated through the Training Department and consisted of 10 members of the police department, biking to Stevens Point. These officers raised nearly $1000.00 for Special Olympics.
Below are several pictures of this event.
Oshkosh Police members waiting to start their 89 mile ride.
Members of Oshkosh P. D. and Oshkosh Aux. after their day of riding.
Left to Right:
Mark Puestohl, Capt. Jay Puestohl, City Attorney Lynn Lorenson, Sgt. Dave Gomoll,
Officer Deana Strand, Officer Nate Gallagher, Officer Ryan Boerner, Officer Mary
Joe Derene, Chief Dave Erickson, Aux. Lt. Mary Knudson, Sgt. Don Wilson.
The following week, the Oshkosh Police Department hosted a Police Mountain Bike Certification school. This IPMBA certification school was taught by Police School Liaison Officer Dave Johnson who is an IPMBA certified Instructor. Officers from around the state attended this training. With more and more departments starting Bike Patrol units, this training has become increasing popular. Below is a class picture from that training.
Left to Right-Aaron Schillinger-Grand Chute PD, Jeff Nelson-Oshkosh PD, Jed Biever-Oshkosh PD, Chris Dearth-Grand Chute PD, Gayle Freises-New Richmond PD, Rose Shriver-Dodgeville PD, Mike Pichler-Baraboo PD, Brett Myers-Baraboo PD, Alta Painter-River Falls PD, Jennifer Lovestrand-River Falls PD, Instructor Dave Johnson-Oshkosh PD.
Fall of 03, brought a second department wide 24 hour inservice. This training consisted of CPR recertification, Incident Response to Terrorist Bombing-Awareness Level Training, Missing Persons training, Community for Hope-suicide/depression training, and a full day of handgun and less lethal munitions training. These annual inservice training sessions bring knowledge and skill development to the entire department. Our department instructors teach most of these classes.
Finally, in late fall, the Oshkosh Police Department began its Rifle Transition Program. This program will place .223 semi-automatic rifles in our patrol squads. Below are a few pictures from the first training session.
Officers Brett Robertson and Deana Krueger practice shooting from a low kneel position at 75 yards.
Officer Brett Robertson practices shooting while moving. Instructor Sgt. Eric Stenson serves as Safety Officer.
Officers train at Waupun Prison range with the new patrol rifles.
The department also provides training for civilian employees, auxiliary police, and to the public.
Civilian employees include Community Service Officers (CSO), Telecommunication Officers, Word Processors, and clerical staff.
Auxiliary Police officers receive training, which allows this volunteer organization to assist the department with special events and in some cases emergency situations.
Citizens are provided with training in such areas as Crime Prevention, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, (D.A.R.E.) and Gang Resistance Education and Training program (G.R.E.A.T.). The department has also been conducting a Citizens Academy for members of the general public since 1992. Citizens are able to attend a shortened version of the 400 hour Police Recruit Academy, which gives them a basic understanding of the different types of training officers receive. It also provides an opportunity for citizens from the community to interact with officers from the department.
The Training Division also acts as a resource for the community. Citizens with questions about the operation of the department, training which officers receive, or those who are seeking information in an area related to law enforcement can contact the Training Division.
If you have any questions in reference to the training that the Oshkosh Police Department does, feel free to contact me.
Sgt. Don Wilson
E-mail-dwilson@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
920-236-5757-office
920-236-5743-fax
920-381-3363-pager
For more information about the Oshkosh Police Department Training Bureau
Contact Sgt. Don Wilson (920) 236-5757 or email