NCJ Number
192819
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2002 Pages: 82-84
Date Published
January 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article examines online educational opportunities for police.
Abstract
Among the advantages of online learning are accessibility, flexibility, quality, and cost effectiveness. An officer can access training programs from any location and at any time. Online courses are individualized for each officer, who can select the courses desired and complete the lessons at his or her own pace. The courses are easily linked to the vast related information sources on the Internet. Courses can be carefully thought out and developed over time by the most knowledgeable police professionals available. Long-term financial advantages of online courses include the need for fewer instructors; sharing courses with other police departments dramatically reduces costs; fewer classrooms are required; and officers can take courses when they are ready rather than when the courses are available, which accelerates the training process. It is more cost effective than waiting for a backlog of people needing training to justify putting together a course. This is particularly the case for required training in areas that require yearly certification.