"Training is the engine that pulls the train."

The training section is responsible for the developing, administering, and record keeping for all agency members training. The training division additionally develops and administers special training programs for civilians, public awareness, and specialty programs that require development and presentation. The training section is responsible for the development and administration of the Civilian Police Academy, The Civilian Firearms Training Program, and assists with the CCSO Explorer post and the reserve component of the Sheriff's Office.

The training section of the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office continues to play major roles in the development and research of new training procedures, programs, and delivery methods. The training section has been singled out and received national recognition for its efforts and programs in the area of Computer Based Training. (CBT)

In 1993 the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office was the first agency in the nation to utilize the LETN (Law Enforcement Television Network) STTAR (Standard Training, Testing, And Recording) CBT system. The agency remains the largest and longest user of this system in the nation today. See: http://www.pwpl.com/

The state of Florida requires all certified law enforcement, certified corrections officers, and parole and probation officers to meet mandatory retraining requirements as a condition of continued employment. (FSS 943.135) The training division schedules, administers and tracks and reports this training to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, (FDLE) and the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, (CJSTC) See: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cjst/Rules_and_Policies/ These statutory requirements are continually audited by FDLE to insure compliance.

The Career Development and Education is administered by the training office. Programs associated with this element deal with advanced training, and college education. The training office works with local colleges and universities to develop and enhance training and education at the Sheriff's Office

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Training Office pioneered another state of the art training program in cooperation with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.

This program was a giant step in making criminal justice training and education available to all personnel at their telecommuting locations. In essence it made the training available anywhere they could get to an Internet connected computer. The Charlotte County Sheriff's and the Levy County Sheriff's Office were national players in the development of this training. While broadening the delivery system the pilot program verified a substantial cost savings over previous methods.

See FDLE/CJSTC rules for mandatory retraining of Florida Officers.
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cjst/Rules_and_Policies/

Contact Information

Lt. Mark Bala
Training Section Commander
7474 Utilities Road
Punta Gorda FL 33982
(941) 833-6281
training@ccso.org