Detention Officer Training Academy
Program Description
The Detention Officer Training Academy program is an introduction to correctional operations: ethics and professionalism, communication, custody and control, conflict and crisis management, problem solving, officer integrity, hostage survival, riot control measures, defensive tactics, CPR/AED for first responders, medical and mental health issues, and field experience. Student must be appointed to the Detention Officer Training Academy either through the Open Enrollment Program or by an Arizona Law Enforcement Agency. Applicants must meet program acceptance requirements.
Learning outcomes:
- Explain the basic principles of effective inmate supervision when working in a county jail or correctional facility
- Identify legal definitions, concepts, and principles to Arizona law enforcement, courts, or correctional settings.
- Communicate information in a clear and organized manner.
- Identify the methods used and the purposes of institutional safety and how it relates to the structure and organization of inmate control and supervision.
- Analyze ethical dilemmas encountered in the law enforcement and/or corrections fields and decide on the correct ethical choice.
- Apply constitutional, statutory, procedural, and case law to real-life correctional situations.
- Adapt to the diverse and multicultural nature of American society in the correctional setting.
- Explain the importance of inmate rights and essential services.
- Demonstrate physical fitness standards
- Describe and demonstrate initial assessments of injuries and or illness and appropriate first aid procedures
- Identify and demonstrate defensive tactics according to AZ Post standards
- Describe and demonstrate the components involved in booking, global, and incident searches.
- Explain the values and purpose of officer integrity.
- Identify and demonstrate problem solving skills in simulated hostage situations.
- Identify and demonstrate problem solving skills in simulated riot situations.
- Demonstrate an understanding of all correctional operations and processes in a real-world field experience.
Degree(s) / Certificates(s)
| Title | Local Bachelor's |
|---|---|
| Detention Officer Training - CERT Occupational Certificate | - |
| Advanced Detention Officer Training - CERT Occupational Certificate | - |
Career Outlook
Successful completion of this program can open doors to various employment opportunities, many of which require further higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and their annual mean wages in Arizona, based on career and wage data from Pipeline AZ, which utilizes government sources for its reports and forecasts.
Description
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
Duties/Tasks
- Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.
- Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, policies, and laws.
- Maintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and regulations.
- Respond to emergencies, such as escapes.
- Supervise and direct the work of correctional officers to ensure the safe custody, discipline, and welfare of inmates.
- Supervise or perform searches of inmates or their quarters to locate contraband items.
- Monitor behavior of subordinates to ensure alert, courteous, and professional behavior toward inmates, parolees, fellow employees, visitors, and the public.
- Restrain, secure, or control offenders, using chemical agents, firearms, or other weapons of force as necessary.
- Carry injured offenders or employees to safety and provide emergency first aid when necessary.
- Complete administrative paperwork or supervise the preparation or maintenance of records, forms, or reports.
Salary Information (AZ)
$60,140
$48,040
$54,870
$78,540
$28.92
$23.10
$26.00
$37.76
Typical Education Level
High School Diploma
Description
Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.
Duties/Tasks
- Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
- Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
- Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.
- Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.
- Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.
- Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.
- Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.
- Process or book convicted individuals into prison.
- Search for and recapture escapees.
- Inspect mail for the presence of contraband.
Salary Information (AZ)
$45,070
$37,140
$46,200
$57,390
$21.67
$17.86
$22.00
$27.59
Typical Education Level
High School Diploma
Contact Information
Faculty/Staff Contact(s)
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfonso Zavala | Director of Law Enforcement | (928) 314-9480 | Alfonso.Zavala@azwestern.edu |