The St. Lawrence County-David Sullivan Law Enforcement Academy begins its 23rd session with an emphasis on de-escalation tactics.
More than a dozen future law enforcement professionals began their training on Monday, Jan. 8, representing agencies from across the North Country.
According to Academy Director Joseph Brown, a SUNY Canton alumnus and a retired Massena Police Department investigator, this year’s class will learn new ways to defuse potentially dangerous situations without the use of force.
“Our cadets study of police responses,” Brown said. “In cases that end in violence, we evaluate the situation to see what could be done to de-escalate the situation verbally to bring a mutually successful end to the encounter.”
The academy also includes a special emphasis on community police practices, including fair and impartial policing. Brown explained that communication is key in any dealings with the public. The cadets are trained in a variety of ways to successfully bring a situation a situation of potential conflict to a positive resolution. “Body language, attention and empathy are all crucial,” he said.
New courses implemented by the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services include professional communications, procedural justice and decision making. These courses further support the academy’s current focus.
Cadets are also trained in opioid intervention and the administration of the life-saving drug Naloxone, also known as Narcan, during the first-responder section of the academy.
“We equip our cadets with an advanced skill set they will need for their careers,” said SUNY Canton University Police Chief Alan P. Mulkin. “The majority of our courses are taught by active law enforcement officers. The men and women enrolled in our academy learn from the professionals they will be serving with when they graduate.”
SUNY Canton’s Law Enforcement Academy Training is offered in two phases. Phase one offers pre-employment training and encompasses the majority of skills necessary to become a police officer. Cadets are then eligible to complete phase two upon becoming a sworn police officer. Phase two includes, firearms, and counter-terrorism training, advanced police arrest techniques, among other topics.
SUNY Canton is one of a select few academies in New York State to offer this comprehensive two-part training, which greatly benefits North Country agencies.
Students in law enforcement related programs can opt to take phase one of the training to meet their academic requirements. Those students are often recruited to fill vacancies at area police agencies, which then qualifies them to complete the academy and begin employment immediately after graduation.