Training Section

The Training Section of the Gwinnett County Police Department is a Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified police academy. The section is divided into four units: the Basic Training Unit, the Driver Training Unit, the Firearms Training Unit, and the In-Service/Civilian Training Unit. The section is commanded by a major, approved by P.O.S.T. as an Academy Director, and two Assistant Academy Directors. There are twenty or more full-time staff, consisting of both sworn and non-sworn personnel. All instructors are P.O.S.T. certified, many with specialty certifications in Defensive Tactics, Firearms, Driving, and other advanced subjects. Certified adjunct instructors from the rest of the Department and outside agencies also assist in ensuring that the quality of training provided is to the highest possible standard.

The Basic Training Unit conducts the Basic Law Enforcement Training Course for new Gwinnett County Police officers. This includes the 408 hours of training required by P.O.S.T. to be a certified police officer in the State of Georgia. The Department's commitment to training is exemplified in that we require at least 460 more hours of Academy training than the P.O.S.T. mandate. After the Academy, new police officers are also required to complete at least 504 hours of on-the-job training supervised by a certified Field Training Officer (FTO) before they can be released to operate on their own.

The Driver Training Unit conducts initial and ongoing training for officers and certain non-sworn personnel. This training covers a variety of driving skills, precision driving, accident avoidance, emergency braking and pursuit interdiction techniques to include the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT). Most training is done on site on our own driving track using real police vehicles and equipment.

The Firearms Training Unit conducts initial and ongoing training for officers. This includes basic and advanced firearms courses in the Academy, quarterly firearms training and qualifications for all officers, and a number of advanced firearms courses in pistol, shotgun, and patrol rifle. The Unit also conducts training with less lethal weapons, including Taser.

The In-Service/Civilian Training Unit helps to ensure that all sworn officers attend at least 20 hours of in-service training every year needed to maintain state certification. In-service training consists of both classroom lessons and practical exercises on judicial changes, legal updates, and current tactics and practices that will enhance an officer's skill and knowledge. The Unit schedules and coordinates intermediate and advanced training in a variety of law enforcement topics for sworn officers and supervisors, training for non-sworn personnel, and provides elective training opportunities from outside training vendors.

The Training Center is not open to the general public. This includes the driving track and the firearms ranges. While we do allow outside law enforcement agencies access to the facilities and training, these are restricted to specific topics and facilities. Please note that the Basic Law Enforcement Training Course is reserved for Gwinnett County employees only.

Training Center Location:                                      854 Winder Highway

                                                                                    Lawrenceville GA 30045

Main Number:                                                           770-339-2602

Academy Director:                                                   678-226-7761

Major Trapp McDowell