Academic Catalog

MPT - Municipal Police Training

MPT 100  Introduction to Law Enforcement  

This course teaches the police candidate the role of a police officer in the community. It defines police power and authority, the potential impact of its misuse on the community as well as social control. Understanding the function of the police within the context of the United States Constitution will also be addressed.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Explicate the social control of police behavior.
Describe and apply principles of police discretionary conduct.
Analyze and describe the role of personal and professional conduct.
Describe the place of police in our society.
Show the relationship of police conduct to an ethical code.
Detail the difference between civil and criminal behavior.
Describe the role of public and community relations in police work.
Delineate the role of law and administration of law in our society.
Depict penology in Pennsylvania.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

2 Credits2 Weekly Lecture Hours

MPT 101  Professional Development  

This course teaches appropriate skills for the maintenance of mental and physical well-being and appropriate professional standards of conduct. It provides relevant theory and instruction numerous areas such as the elements of physical fitness and its relationship to police work. Moreover, the physical and psychological benefits of physical fitness and the importance of establishing a healthy lifestyle in specific areas of physical training, nutrition and weight control will also be addressed.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Identify the use of force continuum and explain its levels, constraints and cues.
Identify circumstances where use of non-deadly force is authorized by law.
Identify circumstances where use of deadly force is authorized by law.
Demonstrate techniques used to subdue persons using locks, grips, holds, etc.
Describe stress-inducing situations that can affect the conduct of individual police officers.
Depict police leadership traits and techniques.
Analyze psychological barriers to confrontation by police of their own emotional and psychological problems.
Describe the effect on an officer's emotional state when exercising police power and authority.
Demonstrate physical conditioning by performing push-ups, sit-ups, and a mile and one-half run, weight-lifting and sit-and-reach exercises.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

4 Credits2 Weekly Lecture Hours
 2 Weekly Lab Hours

MPT 102  Law and Procedures  

This course teaches the police officer candidate to recognize and cite Pennsylvania criminal statutes, the rules of criminal procedures and applicable Constitutional provisions. Distinctions between criminal and civil law, federal, state and local statutes will be thoroughly addressed. In addition, topics of discussion will include, but will not be limited to, understanding the basic laws and rules that govern the power, authority, and jurisdiction of police officers in Pennsylvania.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Analyze the US.
and Pennsylvania Constitution provisions that provide the legal basis for the exercise of police power.
Provide the legal basis for the exercise of police power.
Recognize and cite provisions of Pennsylvania statutes that define criminal conduct.
Apply rules and statutory provisions for arrest, search warrants, electronic surveillance and bail.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

3 Credits3 Weekly Lecture Hours

MPT 103  Law and Procedures II  

This course is a continuation of Law and Procedures I which teaches the police officer candidate to recognize and cite Pennsylvania criminal statute, the rules of criminal procedures and applicable Constitutional provisions. Instruction in this course will be on theory and skills associated with the significant steps in the arrest, post-arrest, pretrial, trial and post-trial processes.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Recognize and cite provisions of the Mental Health Act, Protection from Abuse Act, Liquor Control Act, and Crime Victims Compensation Act.
Identify major provisions of the Controlled Substance Act pertinent to their enforcement capacity.
Identify the major provisions of the cell phone laws.
Recognize provisions of environmental laws, safety concerns, and jurisdictional issues.
Identify circumstances when a search incident to arrest is authorized.
Describe a suppression hearing.
Identify ethical considerations in search and seizure.
Identify consequences of conducting an unlawful search.
Define the legal requirements to search a person, house, etc.
Define a lawful frisk.

Prerequisite: MPT 102.

3 Credits3 Weekly Lecture Hours

MPT 104  Vehicle Code  

This course is designed to provide the student with relevant theory and skills in analyzing the provisions of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code and decisions of operating under the influence detection. Sources of standards for armed pedestrian behavior and the function of law enforcement within the context of the highway transportation system will be defined.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Apply appropriate provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code to specific factual situations.
Demonstrate procedures for breath, urine and/or chemical tests to determine the presence of alcohol or controlled substances.
Differentiate applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code and the Criminal Code.
Detail the role of PennDOT and traffic safety enforcement.
Cite provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code for issuing citations and arresting individuals for code violations.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

2 Credits1 Weekly Lecture Hour
 1 Weekly Lab Hour

MPT 105  Motor Vehicle Collision Inspection and Related Issues  

This course is designed to develop an understanding of the relationship of the cause and analysis of vehicle collisions. Proper identification and documentation of physical evidence as it relates to collisions upon the highway, as well as collision scene, traffic direction and control will also be addressed.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Define reportable and non-reportable, traffic and non-traffic motor vehicle collisions.
Perform the proper sequence of action at collision scene.
Recognize appropriate legal requirements pertaining to the need to complete state traffic collision reports.
Utilize proper search technique for physical evidence at collision scene.
Specify proper method for measuring skid marks based on type and extent of skid.
Identify the term hazardous materials.
Define why hazardous materials are a problem and who has to deal with them.
Apply PennDOT basic safety guidelines.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

1 Credit1 Weekly Lecture Hour

MPT 106  Patrol Procedures and Operations  

This course presents the principles of police patrol procedures and operations as the foundation at any police department. It introduces the student to the mental preparation necessary to effectively perform duties and function as a patrol officer.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Apply standard accepted principles of police patrol.
Detail incident procedures for vehicular accidents and violations as well as apprehension of suspects.
Specify arrest, impounding, and security procedures applicable to patrol activities.
Define human relations skills applicable to patrol procedures.
Delineate Miranda warnings requirements.
Identify purposes and procedures for safe roadblocks.
Identify markings and colors common to gangs in Pennsylvania.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

3 Credits2 Weekly Lecture Hours
 1 Weekly Lab Hour

MPT 107  Principles of Criminal Investigation  

This course is designed to present basic principles of criminal procedures. It defines the role of a responding officer at the scene of a police event as well as, demonstrates the technical capacity to effectively conduct crime scene management preliminary investigations and other patrol-related investigations.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Define a preliminary investigation.
Identify the general unreliability of eyewitness identification and steps to make such identifications more reliable.
Coordinate and apply methods of establishing value of stolen and recovered property.
Demonstrate proper procedures for conducting the initial investigation of rape, sexual assault, and sex crimes.
Recognize the most common forms of drugs.
Define proper surveillance techniques.
Apply principles of preliminary, crime site and follow-up investigation.
List applicable rules of evidence.
Detail applicable procedures to protect crime sites and to preserve evidence.
Perform principles of interview and interrogation.
Differentiate criminal investigation from civil investigation.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

3 Credits3 Weekly Lecture Hours

MPT 200  Human Relations  

This course introduces the basic principles by which students can improve their observation skills and perceptions of human behavior. Other topics addressed are sensitivity issues and how people react to authority. The importance of understanding cultural differences and ethnic intermediation will be addressed.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
List and describe basic universal aspects of the communication process.
Identify the impact of role awareness, reference groups and motivation of human behavior.
Apply proper procedures for conducting initial investigation of bias/hate crimes.
Process legal requirements regarding emergency detention of a mentally ill person.
Categorize necessary information to be presented in an oral statement.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

2 Credits2 Weekly Lecture Hours

MPT 202  Crisis Management  

This course enhances the students ability to make judgments and understand the various elements of juvenile crime and the juvenile criminal justice system. To enable students to understand how to bring a dispute under control will be defined. This course will also teach behavioral skills necessary for the successful and positive resolution of dispute situations. The ability to identify and learn the necessary skills for conflict management will be thoroughly addressed.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Describe and apply Constitutional and other legal requirements for arresting an individual or taking the individual into custody.
Specify and demonstrate procedures required for arrest of individuals and for searches of those taken into custody.
Delineate unique problems involved in the detention of mentally ill, emotionally unstable and physically handicapped individuals.
Describe and apply principles for use of force in arrest and custody situations.
List procedures for extricating hostages and responding to prisoner escapes.
Identify proper safety procedures before entering a dispute.
Identify the scope of and the authority of the Juvenile Court.
Define juvenile delinquent, child in need of supervision and runaway.
Define elements of the Domestic Violence Act.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

2 Credits2 Weekly Lecture Hours

MPT 204  Firearms  

This course is designed to teach police officer candidates the fundamentals of proper use of firearms. The course incorporates application of the tactical and decision-making skills necessary for them to apply this critical skill in actual situations to protect themselves and the public from harm.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Apply safety rules when using firearms.
Illustrate proper procedures for use of pistols, shotguns and holsters.
Define deadly and non-deadly force applications.
Identify basic principles of ballistics.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

3 Credits2 Weekly Lecture Hours
 1 Weekly Lab Hour

MPT 205  Operation of Patrol Vehicles  

This course is designed to teach the skills necessary for safe operation of police vehicles. Students will be well-versed in the control and handling of an emergency response vehicle. Mastery of the principles of safe driving coupled with refinement in driving skills under adverse and simulated emergency conditions will sharpen the students driving reactions.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Operate police vehicles under normal and emergency circumstances.
Describe and analyze an officers responsibilities for civil and/or criminal penalty in case of police vehicle accident.
Demonstrate skills for safe driving and pursuit of fleeing individuals or vehicles.
Detail proper vehicle protection systems.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

2 Credits1 Weekly Lecture Hour
 1 Weekly Lab Hour

MPT 206  Report Writing and Case Preparation  

This course is designed to teach and demonstrate evaluation techniques for accurately recording an incident report. The course enables students to identify the characteristics essential to a good report as well as check for completeness and accuracy.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Apply techniques of listening and one-on-one communication.
Apply rules to prepare police officers as witnesses.
Illustrate written reports and note-taking skills.
Demonstrate public communication as a police officer through prepared speeches, testimony, and extemporaneous talks.
Perform proper procedures of notification to a victims family of death or injury.
Specify communication techniques for emergency notification.
Identify characteristics as essential to a good report.
Define the purpose of the law of evidence.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

2 Credits2 Weekly Lecture Hours

MPT 207  Emergency Response Training  

This course trains the police officer candidate to provide immediate emergency care prior to arrival of paramedical aid to the site. It provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a first responder in an emergency to help sustain life, reduce pain, and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until additional medical help arrives.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Describe and apply principles of emergency medical care to crisis situations.
List emergency medical problems confronted by police officers.
Detail procedures for obstetrical emergencies.
Stipulate procedures for care of AIDS patients and protection of officers.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

3 Credits2 Weekly Lecture Hours
 1 Weekly Lab Hour

MPT 208  Handling Arrested Persons  

This course introduces the police officer candidate to emergency case management of disorderly mentally ill, criminal or psychologically distraught individuals. The course also covers officer safety and strategy in preparing and pre-planning in an arrest. In addition, it familiarizes the student with the parts and operational mechanisms and use of handcuffs and teaches safe and efficient transport of individuals placed in custody.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Describe various violent and dangerous situations, more particularly those involving domestic disputes, mentally ill individuals, and violent criminals.
Recognize and describe mental illness.
Detail suicide and hostage-taking events.
Analyze and apply principles of response to dangerous, potentially dangerous, or hostile crisis situations.
Apply proper procedures to conduct field search of arrested persons.
Identify proper procedure to handcuff suspects or prisoners.

Prerequisite: NONE New students should complete Placement Testing prior to registration. Visiting students may submit college transcript.

1 Credit1 Weekly Lecture Hour