D.A.R.E. Officer Training

D.A.R.E. Core Officer/Instructor Training

Criteria For Officer Selection:

Candidates are uniformed law enforcement officers with two full years of experience, and meet the minimum training standards for peace officer status in their state of residence.

Officer candidate(s) should complete a selection process that demonstrate the candidate's skills, background, and personal traits. These traits should be well matched to the essential elements for success as a D.A.R.E. officer. Considerations are:

- Demonstrated ability to interact and relate with children.

- Oral and written communication skills are adaptable to audiences of variable ages.

- Ability to organize.
- Responsiveness to instruction.
- Ability to develop interpersonal relationships.
- Promptness; good time management skills.
- Exemplary role model in both formal and informal situations.
- Refrains from sexual and racial stereotyping, or inappropriate and insensitive remarks.

Standards for Certification:

Must provide the State Training Center (D.A.R.E. Michigan Office) with a completed background information questionnaire and written agreement between a school district and the police department, permitting the candidate to teach after completing training. This is to be done prior to attending the D.A.R.E. Officer/Instructor Training.

Mandatory attendance and proper dress during all training sessions.

Active participation and performance during all training sessions.

Professional behavior during all formal and informal training sessions or events.

Teach an assigned lesson from the core curriculum, within 45 minutes, and meet the goals and objectives of that lesson.

Visitation to an assigned elementary school, interact with students and staff both formally, and informally. Teach a portion of an assigned core lesson and visitation lesson.

Only after successfully completing all aspects of the 80 hour training will an officer be certified to teach the D.A.R.E. elementary curriculum, which consists of the K-4 Visitation lessons and 5th/6th grade core lessons.

Visitation lessons are 15 - 20 minutes each per class and are at the option of the D.A.R.E. officer and classroom teacher. The core lessons are instructed to 5th or 6th grade classes and are 45 minutes each, one lesson per week, per class.

Guidelines/Requirements:

It is recommended that an officer teach no more that 12 to 16 core classes per semester.

To maintain certification to teach the D.A.R.E. elementary program, officers shall...

Adhere to the rules and policies of D.A.R.E. America, the Los Angeles Unified School District, D.A.R.E. Regional Training Center Advisory Board, Midwest Regional Training Center, and the D.A.R.E. Michigan Advisory Board.

Submit a completed "D.A.R.E. Instructor Information" (201) form prior to the start of each semester they will teach to the State Training Center.

Only teach the lessons as they are set forth in their instructor manual.

Teach the 5th/6th grade core program in its entirety at least once every 2 years.

Participate in the D.A.R.E. Field Assessment Program where an assessment officer representing the D.A.R.E. Michigan Training Center will observe and critique a 45 minute lesson. A report of the assessment will be prepared, with a copy provided to the officer, commanding officer, and one retained at the State Training Center. This periodic assessment is intended to maintain and improve the instructional effectiveness of the D.A.R.E. officer.

D.A.R.E. Mentor Officer Training

D.A.R.E. Michigan is currently accepting applications for Mentor Officer Training. Interested officers should contact the D.A.R.E. Michigan office.

Upon applying for consideration as a mentor candidate, the chief administrative officer of each applicant's agency must submit a letter stating the conditions of availability of the applicant to participate in training activities. A written commitment of at least one (1) DOT school per year is required.

The following national standards must be met before an applicant will be considered a qualifying candidate:

- Must have taught the D.A.R.E. core curriculum for a minimum of two (2) semesters (preferably 4 semesters).

- Must have taught a minimum of twelve (12) classes

Mentors from Michigan may choose to attend DOT schools in other states and countries. Bi-lingual officers are encouraged to apply, but foreign language skills are not required.

Mentors are currently needed in Canada, Japan, Germany, Mexico and Iowa. For further information about these opportunities contact the D.A.R.E. Michigan office.

Criteria For Officer Selection (Criteria include, but are not limited to the following):

- Success as a D.A.R.E. Officer in the classroom.

- Knowledge of lesson content and material.

- Strong desire to be involved in the program

- Availability to attend DOT schools and other training.

- Displayed professionalism and good appearance

- Effective communication skills.

- Specific need for staff expansion.

Phases for Mentor Certification:

    -    Mentor Selection
    -    Assessment
    -    Interview
    -    M.O.T. (Mentor Officer Training)

Upon selection, and as the need arises, the candidate will be scheduled for an MOT school. The location will be at the Regional Training Center in Jefferson City, MO. Meals, travel and lodging lodging expenses are paid. Prior to achieving permanent status, it will be necessary for each mentor to serve a probationary period of one year, or until certifiedby the Regional Training Center (RTC). A probationary mentor may be de-selected anytime prior to certification. - Shadowing

During the probationary period, the new mentor will "shadow" (observe) an experienced mentor during a DOT school before acting as a mentor on his/her own. Shadowing must be done within one year of training.
Upon completion of the shadowing segment, the new mentor will perform the functions of a certified mentor, but will be assessed by an RTC mentor. Following successful completion of this phase of the training, he/she will be officially certified as a mentor by the RTC.

** D.A.R.E. training staff officers are role models for D.A.R.E. officers and should set good examples to follow. It is necessary for mentors to abstain from any tobacco use and if they use alcohol, should drink responsibly, so as not to reflect a negative image on the D.A.R.E. program. This statement is true of all officers involved with D.A.R.E.

It is recommended that an officer teach no more that 12 to 16 core classes per semester. To maintain certification to teach the D.A.R.E. elementary program, officers shall...
	Adhere to the rules and policies of D.A.R.E. America, the Los Angeles Unified School District, D.A.R.E. Regional Training Center Advisory Board, Midwest Regional Training Center, and the D.A.R.E. Michigan Advisory Board.
	Submit a completed "D.A.R.E. Instructor Information" (201) form prior to the start of each semester they will teach to the State Training Center.
	Only teach the lessons as they are set forth in their instructor manual.
	Teach the 5th/6th grade core program in its entirety at least once every 2 years.
	Participate in the D.A.R.E. Field Assessment Program where an assessment officer representing the D.A.R.E. Michigan Training Center will observe and critique a 45 minute lesson. A report of the assessment will be prepared, with a copy provided to the officer, commanding officer, and one retained at the State Training Center. This periodic assessment is intended to maintain and improve the instructional effectiveness of the D.A.R.E. officer.