TRAINING ACADEMY

The Louisiana State Police Training Academy provides basic training for State Police cadets and continuing training for troopers through quarterly firearms training and annual in-service training. The Academy also provides continuing education training for other law enforcement agencies as well as DPS non-commissioned personnel.

LSP Cadet Training

The Louisiana State Police Training Academy maintains a training program to train our future Troopers to have self-discipline, technical competence, empathy, physical well-being, and emotional intelligence. As a result, each Cadet develops unique skills and leadership appropriate to their community and follows the Louisiana State Police Core Values, the goal of a holistic development of each Cadet's full potential.

The cadet-training program is rigorous and comprehensive. We challenge every Cadet physically, academically, and spiritually to strengthen the whole person and transform into their best self. The intense training results in mastery by each Cadet of the basic skills, knowledge, attributes, and character required of a Louisiana State Police Trooper.

In the Louisiana State Police, every trooper is a leader. Therefore, each Cadet receives an opportunity to learn, practice, and refine their leadership traits in support of their team. Initiative, moral courage, concern for others, and ethical decision-making are among the characteristics we expect each Cadet to learn and internalize.

From the first day of the training academy, display and practice of the State Police core values define a Louisiana State Trooper's character. Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless-Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage guide every aspect of a cadet's life and serve as the anchor of their character for the entirety of their State Police career.

The cadet-training program produces a technically competent, physically strong, and morally straight State Trooper fully prepared to transition to complete Field Training Officer (FTO) and best serve the citizens of Louisiana. Our newest Troopers are our legacy in a growing, learning, and progressing law enforcement agency.

In-Service Training

All commissioned Troopers, DPS Officers, and DPS Investigators are mandated to attend an annual in-service training cycle. This training cycle typically spans over a 40-hour week and covers a range of advanced topics such as non-biased policing, firearms tactics, defensive tactics, active shooter response, use of force, officer safety updates, emergency vehicle driving tactics, defensive driving recertification, legal updates, and officer wellness classes.

In addition to these classroom sessions, participants are also required to undergo a physical fitness assessment and a timed obstacle course. These assessments are designed to simulate real-world scenarios and ensure that the participants are physically fit to handle the demands of their job.

The in-service training cycle is a crucial component of our commitment to providing the highest level of procedural justice. By keeping our officers up-to-date with the latest techniques and policies, we can ensure that they are equipped to handle any situation that may arise. Our goal is to provide our officers with the tools and knowledge they need to serve and protect Louisiana to the best of their abilities.

Emergency Vehicle Operations Center

The Louisiana State Police Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (EVOC) is located on approximately 270 acres at the Joint Emergency Services Training Center in Zachary, Louisiana. This facility allows the Academy to teach Emergency Vehicle Operations, Defensive Driving, Officer Survival, and Dignitary Protection to both law enforcement personnel and civilians.

EVOC includes an administrative building that houses the EVOC staff, a 50-student classroom, and a driving and firearms simulator room. There is also an on-site garage capable of routine vehicle maintenance and repairs to maintain the vehicle fleet that is permanently assigned to the facility. The driving area includes a 400' x 600' skills pad, a skid pad, an urban grid, and an exterior circumference of 2 miles, which includes a 2/3 mile straight-away with a simulated interstate. Other types of roadways include secondary highways and dirt/gravel roads. A main tower located in the center of the driving course manages traffic-control devices at key intersections and has full communication capabilities.

Firearms Training

The Firearms Training Section houses a state-of-the-art facility equipped with a 75-student classroom, a weapons cleaning room, a climate-controlled indoor area for dry-firing exercises, and several administrative offices. There are seven live fire ranges, including a rifle range, to allow shooters to fire from up to 300 meters. There are two live-fire shoot-houses and one horseshoe range to allow shooters to fire from various shooting locations. Troopers, DPS Officers and Investigators, and law enforcement officers from various local, state, and federal agencies utilize the firearms training section throughout the year. There are 3 additional classrooms located in the building adjacent to the Firearms training sections with an additional weapons cleaning room. Administrative offices are also available in each of the buildings.

Applied Technology

The Applied Technology Section is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and recertification of all Intoxilyzer 9000 instruments. Applied Technology is also the coordinating section for the Standardized Field Sobriety and Drug Evaluation and Classification programs for Louisiana. Since 2004 the section has conducted Intoxilyzer 9000, SFST, and Drug Recognition training for over 8,000 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges.