Our Mission

The Career Development Section is committed to providing the highest quality service to staff and the public we serve. Our goal is to hire the best of the best through hiring standards and provide quality advanced training that exceeds law enforcement standards. We measure our success based on the accomplishments of the personnel we hire and train and the satisfaction of the public we serve

Recertification and advanced training are the focus of the Training Unit and is the core of career development. Sworn officers attend classes to maintain their Class 1 Law Enforcement Certification while all staff attend training to sharpen their skills and enhance their job related knowledge.

The Training Center is located downtown at 400 Laurel Street, City of Columbia Police Department Headquarters. The Staff Development Section Captain provides oversight of the Training Unit staff who provide instruction and facilitate advanced training opportunities. Staff are comprised of sworn officers who are certified instructors and civilian support staff. Additionally, the Training Unit utilizes staff throughout the department who are specific skills instructors to support training as needed.

Basic Candidate School (BCS) is where all police candidates begin. BCS is (12) weeks of intensive instruction by the Training Unit’s instructors and is designed to better prepare candidates for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Academy. Police Candidates attending BCS receive instruction in Courtroom Procedures, Basic Marksmanship and Ethics in Law Enforcement, NAMI, ICAT, ALERRT, CPR/AED, and Stop the Bleed.

In-Service training and recertification consists of firearms qualification, defensive tactics and officer survival, de-escalation, engaging with the mentally ill, basic life support, emergency vehicle operations, and other job specific training.

Re-Certification and In-Service Training Requirements

To maintain a Class 1 Law Enforcement Certification for the Columbia Police Department, Sworn Police Officers must meet South Carolina State Regulations and Columbia police Department Requirements annually that consist of the following:

• Criminal Domestic Violence Training
• Legal Updates
• Firearms Training
• Less Lethal Weapons Training
• Use of Force Policy Review
• Emergency Vehicle Operation
• (1) Mental Health Awareness In-Service Training Block (Every 3 Years)
• (40) Hours of In-Service Training Annually
• Blood-Bourne Pathogens and Tuberculosis Awareness Training
• Sexual Harassment Prevention
• Defensive Tactics/Expandable baton re-certification
• OC Spray recertification (If Issued)
• Biased Based Profiling
• Ethics
• Consular Notification Process
• Emergency Operations / All Hazard Materials
• American Disabilities Act Training and Updates (ADA)