Mohawk Valley Police Academy & Corrections Academy

The Mohawk Valley Police Academy (MVPA) 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 40 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 1960s, 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 1960s, 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 26-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 variety of subjects and skills:

• Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Environmental Conservation Law and others.
• Defensive Tactics
• Domestic Violence
• Drug and Alcohol Recognition and Enforcement
• Emergency Vehicle Operation
• Firearms, Impact Devices, Electronic Control Devices, and Chemical Agents
• Physical Training
• Arrest Techniques and Process
• Report Writing
• Interviewing and Interrogating
• Investigation Techniques
• Patrol Tactics
• Traffic and Felony Vehicle Stops
• Critical Incident Management
• Weapons of Mass Destruction
• Emotionally Disturbed Persons
• Computer Operations
• Reality Based Training
• De-escalation

Upon successful completion of the Academy and 12 weeks of agency field training, police recruits receive New York State certification as a Police Officer and 17 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 about 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, LiDAR, RADAR Operator, and defensive driving.

The Mohawk Valley Corrections Academy (MVCA)

The Mohawk Valley Corrections Academy (MVCA) was officially instituted by Sheriff Maciol in 2015. Before Correction Officers were trained at the MVCC location, they attended training in various locations at the Oneida County Correctional Facility. To facilitate a higher level of professionalism and adhere to a rigid training environment, Basic Corrections Training was relocated to an academy established at MVCC. Other Sheriffs' Offices participate and instruct at the MVCA including, Herkimer, Madison, and Otsego Counties. The Basic Corrections Course is eight weeks long and includes the following training:

• Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, and Corrections Law.
• Defensive Tactics
• Firearms, Impact Devices, Electronic Control Devices, and Chemical Agents
• Physical Training
• Report Writing
• Suicide Awareness and Prevention
• Communication Skills
• Critical Incident Management
• Emotionally Disturbed Persons
• Reality Based Training
• De-escalation

Newly trained Correction Officers are assigned to Field Training Officers and supervised for a minimum of three weeks before being allowed to work on their own. Like Police Officers, Correction Officers are required to complete annual in-service training requirements. In-service training focuses on maintaining skills learned as well as advancing the skills of Correction Officers as the field of Corrections evolves.