MIST, Ongoing Training, and Specialized Services

1. Overview

Mandatory In-Service Training (MIST)

2025 MIST Training Courses

25-001 Legal Updates (Day 1 Required)
A three-hour course that will review recent statutory changes to the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, Vehicle Code, and Rules of Criminal Procedures that were communicated via TACS throughout the calendar year to officers. The course will also highlight pertinent court decisions and significant pieces of legislation that affect police operations and investigations from Pennsylvania's Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme Courts, various Federal Courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

25-002 Law Enforcement Response to Homeless Persons (Day 1 Required)
A three-hour course exploring the issue of homelessness and law enforcement's response. The course will examine the prevalence of the issue, the varying degrees of homelessness and factors that lead to homelessness, to include a discussion of homeless persons as offenders and victims. Finally, the course will address procedural justice practices that are designed to address issues such as implicit bias.

25-003 Tactical Response (Day 2 Elective)
A three-hour course designed to encourage officers to prepare mentally and physically to respond to an active threat. This course will establish guidelines and best practices, beginning with response to the call and concluding with tactical considerations. This course will also explore ways in which law enforcement can be better equipped to handle an active threat incident.

25-004 Elder Abuse and Exploitation (Day 2 Elective)
A three-hour course that will help officers recognize the signs of elder abuse and exploitation including physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect with an emphasis on financial exploitation. This course will provide guidelines within the criminal justice system to assist officers in prosecution using local, state, and Federal resources to increase successful outcomes for the victims. 

Scheduling

Classes begin at 8:30 am sharp unless otherwise noted on the Training Schedule above. Check the Training Schedule for the list of current class locations as some have changed. 
The schedule and registration form are updated regularly to reflect class availability. 

  • All MIST registrations must be scheduled using the Online Excel Registration Form above. The form must be completed by typing in the registration information and then emailing the completed spreadsheet to ACPA Registrations.
  • In the Excel file, place full names in proper spaces on the form along with MPOETC numbers. Faxes will not be accepted.
  • Officers must be scheduled by department management or training supervisors.
  • You will receive an email confirmation when registering by the Online Excel Registration Form.

Class Preparation

  • Please bring notebook or note-taking materials to each class.
  • MPOETC class handouts are available in digital file form from the academy. Call 412-350-2383 to request a copy. 
  • Please adhere to your scheduled dates and arrive on time. Notify us of any cancellations. Because of strict class size limitations, “walk-ins” will generally not be accommodated.
  • Officers must check the accuracy of the spelling of their name and their MPOETC number on the class roster to ensure they receive credit for attending the course.

2. Ongoing and Specialized Training

Impact Weapons, OCAT (Pepper Spray)

Training and re-certification for officers is offered. This also includes handcuffing.
Contact Deputy Gary Wolverton at 412-350-4686 to schedule.

Firing Range Qualifications

Scheduling is flexible, but by appointment only. Four-hour blocks are available from 8:00 am to noon, and noon to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. All qualifications are being performed according to the MPOETC standards for recruits for both pistol and shotgun. The pistol qualification course is a 50 round qualification; the dim light course requires a flashlight. A duty rig is required for all pistol qualifications. We also offer patrol rifle/carbine qualifications using the MPOETC guidelines. We continue to offer a flexible approach for daytime and nighttime qualifications to help meet your department’s needs.
Fill out your range liability waiver prior to your arrival for any classes that involve live fire.
Contact PO Brian Fiorito or PO Dan Witt at 412-584-0055 to schedule.

Taser Training

Basic taser training, certification, and re-certification is available to law enforcement agencies.
Contact Deputy Gary Wolverton at 412-350-4686 to discuss your needs and to schedule.

Basic Physical Agility Testing

Our staff will administer your agency’s version of physical conditioning test as designed by the Cooper Institute. We do require at least one representative from the agency to be present; for larger groups please send additional personnel to help proctor the testing. Currently all testing will be scheduled for Tuesdays at 9:00 am.
Contact Deputy Director Robert Cifrulak at 412-350-2383 to schedule.

3. Elective Training Courses

2024 Elective In-Service Training Courses(PDF, 299KB)
(2025 Courses coming soon.)

The Elective In-service Training Course Schedule has a variety of classes that many have expressed an interest in taking. The schedule includes a diverse and full complement of classes. Some classes are free of charge and others require a student fee. Each registration process differs and is explained in the course list. Use the direct links in the attached course guide to register for classes online. 

Course listings are updated as classes are added.

The Allegheny County Police Academy continually seeks to add training opportunities. Please contact the Police Academy with suggestions for additional courses that will better serve the law enforcement community.

4. Monitoring Training History

Police departments can use the Municipal Police Officer's Education and Training Commission's (MPOETC) website to track the following information:

  • Application for New Police Officer Certification - submit an officer's application
  • Change of Status:
    • Hiring an officer into the department
    • Arrest information for an officer
    • Name change of an officer
    • Replace lost or damaged card
    • Separate an officer from the department
  • MPOETC Training History Inquiry - query an officer's current MPOETC-sponsored training history
  • Request for In-Service Training Equivalency Credit - application packet
  • Non-Mandatory Training Class Actual Cost and Roster - add actual amounts and class roster
  • Non-MPOETC Training Class Roster - enter a Non-MPOETC sponsored training class roster
  • Non-MPOETC Training History - query an officer's current non-MPOETC training history
  • Officer Certification Inquiry - query an officer's current certification status

Using the MPOETC Website

  1. Follow instructions on the Municipal Police Officer's Education and Training Commission's (MPOETC) website to reach the MPO TRS Log In screen.
  2. Login using the user id and password from the approval notification.
  3. Select MPOTRS Police Department Users link.
  4. Select any available option.

Note: The police departments that you are authorized for may be found in the Police Department dropdown box on certain screens. If more than one police department is displayed, be careful to properly select the correct police department each time that you are performing the update.

In order to be granted access to perform inquiry transactions for a police officer that is not currently employed by your department, please contact MPOETC.