Mohawk Valley Police Academy
1101 Sherman Drive
Utica NY 13501
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Lt. Joseph Luker - Sheriff's Office
Lt. Sherman Jones - Utica Police
Ph. (315) 792-5532
Ph. (315) 792-5646
Fax (315) 792-5694
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The Mohawk Valley Police Academy provides police recruit training; and
specialized and in-service training, for law enforcement officers and agencies
in the central New York region. Jointly sponsored and administered by the
Sheriff’s Office and the Utica Police Department, the Academy is located on the
campus of Mohawk Valley Community College
in Utica, NY. The college supplies classrooms, office space, technical
support and use of all college facilities. With over forty years of service,
the Mohawk Valley Police Academy has earned a reputation as one of the premier
law enforcement training facilities in New York State.
The predecessor to the Mohawk Valley Police Academy was the in-house training
program of the Utica Police Department. In the early 1960’s, New York State
passed legislation that mandated formal training for police officers. Utica’s
Deputy-Chief Joseph (Chubby) Piccola was instrumental in the establishment of
Utica’s formalized training. In 1968, Piccola was elected Sheriff of
Oneida County and the Sheriff’s Office soon joined Utica in the formation of an
off-site training Academy.
In the 1960’s, the Academy’s recruit training program was four weeks long. The
training was very similar to basic military training, with emphasis placed on
combat and offensive tactics training. By the standards of today’s society,
this archaic training was suited for the police role of the times. Over the
next four decades, the recruit training evolved into a twenty-three week school
that concentrates on the science of performing as a police officer.
Under the guidance of full-time staff and guest instructors, police recruits
train in a myriad of subjects and skills:
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Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Environmental
Conservation Law and others.
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Defensive Tactics
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Domestic Violence
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Drug and Alcohol Recognition and Enforcement
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Emergency Vehicle Operation
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Firearms and Chemical Agents
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Physical Training
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Arrest Techniques and Process
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Report Writing
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Interviewing and Interrogating
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Investigation Techniques
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Patrol Tactics
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Traffic and Felony Vehicle Stops
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Critical Incident Management
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Weapons of Mass Destruction
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Emotionally Disturbed Persons
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Computer Operations
Upon successful completion of the Academy and twelve weeks of agency field
training, police recruits receive New York State certification as a Police
Officer, and seventeen Criminal Justice Program credit hours from Mohawk
Valley Community College.
The Police Academy’s training for experienced officers is diverse. The Academy
hosts many lectures and seminars pertaining to law enforcement updates and
advanced officer training. The Academy offers specialized training in advanced
accident reconstruction, commercial vehicle inspection, evidence technician,
drug interdiction and Police Supervision. The Academy provides ongoing
re-certifications and updates for skills learned in the recruit school, such as
Breath Test Operator, Laser and Radar Operator and defensive driving.
Thanks to Captain Don Ambrose (UPD -
Retired) and Captain Nick LaBella (UPD - Retired) for their assistance with the
Academy's history.