Expand Safety Forces Training & Leadership Development
Description
Ensure relevant, meaningful training and leadership development opportunities for Akron Police Department (APD) and Akron Fire Department (AFD) personnel at every stage of their career.
Why is This Important
Well-trained officers and firefighters are better equipped to serve the community safely and effectively. Investing in ongoing training and leadership development ensures our safety forces reflect best practices and are prepared for the demands of the job.
Initiative Wins
Provided Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) de-escalation training - the leading program of its kind in the country - to all APD officers in 2025.
Created a digital portal to communicate training opportunities to all APD staff.
Certified 25 AFD employees as Fire Inspectors in 2025.
Impact Spotlight
What We’ve Done This Quarter
Conducted a 1-day in-service training for all APD supervisors in early 2026.
What We’re Working on Next Quarter
Developing and rolling out new ICAT training for 2026 APD in-service programming.
Working toward 40 hours of in-service training for all APD officers in 2026, exceeding the state minimum of 24 hours.
Working toward 940 hours of training for new APD cadets and 480 hours for new AFD cadets in 2026, both exceeding state minimums.