G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training

In order for a law enforcement professional to be certified to teach any of the G.R.E.A.T. curricula, successful completion of G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training (GOT) is required. The training is a comprehensive course that focuses on the structure and content of the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum and provides knowledge of current gang trends, while building the skills necessary to teach in a classroom setting.

Once a person successfully completes a GOT, they are certified to teach the middle school curriculum, elementary curriculum, and summer program. In order to teach the families component, an officer must attend and successfully complete a G.R.E.A.T. Families Training.

The two types of G.R.E.A.T. Officer Trainings offered, outlined below, are designed for officers with and without classroom experience. The chart outlines the difference between the two trainings.

For those attending a G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training, tuition fees will be covered through a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Complimentary double-occupancy lodging is provided for participants only when the training is at one of the five (5) Regional Training locations. The trainee or his/her agency is responsible only for all transportation costs and meal costs.

The G.R.E.A.T. Program offers the following G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training (GOT) opportunities:

40-Hour Training 80-Hour Training
(1-week course) (2-week course)
The following criminal justice professionals are eligible to become certified G.R.E.A.T. instructors:  sworn/certified local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement officers and agents; military police; probation officers; corrections officers; judges; or prosecuting attorneys. The following criminal justice professionals are eligible to become certified G.R.E.A.T. instructors:  sworn/certified local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement officers and agents; military police; probation officers; corrections officers; judges; or prosecuting attorneys.
Candidates with a minimum of one year of full-time experience in one of the previously mentioned positions, with a minimum of one full semester of classroom teaching experience or extensive public-speaking experience, and who have received instructor training certification that includes classroom management and teaching/training methodologies or documented equivalent practical experience; OR have a valid elementary, secondary, or high school teaching certificate with recent teaching experience. Candidates with a minimum of two years of full-time experience in one of the positions previously mentioned, but with little or no classroom teaching experience.
Applicants must submit: Applicants must submit:
Instructor Training Application Instructor Training Application
Agency Commitment Form Agency Commitment Form
Law Enforcement and Educational Agency Commitment Form Law Enforcement and Educational Agency Commitment Form
Additional Requirements Needed to Attend a 40-hour G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training (to include applicable instructor certificates)
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G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training
Applying to Attend G.R.E.A.T. Training

All applicants must submit an Instructor Training Application, which includes a signed Agency Commitment Form and an executed Law Enforcement and Educational Agency Commitment Form. Officers applying for a 40-hour G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training must also submit the page titled Additional Requirements Needed to Attend a 40-Hour G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training.

Attending Training Out of Region

Applicants should attend training in their respective regions whenever possible. Exceptions are made to allow individuals to attend training in a neighboring region when timely training is not available in the applicant's home region or when other extenuating circumstances exist. Attending training out of region is permitted on a space-available basis, with preference being given to applicants from within a region. Call the G.R.E.A.T. Information Line (800-726-7070) or your Regional Administrator if you need assistance in determining where to attend.

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