Instructor Classifications
The leveling system has been modified to include firearms instructors, lead instructors and instructor trainers.
Firearms Instructor:
This level will represent the majority of firearms instructors. A firearms instructor is able to perform the following duties:
- Department Qualifications (no geographic or department limits)
- Qualify officers with any weapons system(s) that the instructor is certified to teach
- Assist at any MPTC operated or authorized academy (If prerequisites are met)
Prerequisites include:
- certified as a MPTC Firearms Instructor
- invited by an Academy Director, Firearms Lead Instructor or designee
- three years as a firearms instructor with your department
- approval from chief or designee
- successfully completed (including qualification) the two-day MPTC Range Instructor Development Program
- certification in Handgun and Rifle
Lead Instructor:
The lead instructor will serve as the primary instructor at any MPTC operated or authorized academy. The Lead Instructor at an academy can develop their team using Firearm Instructors that meet the prerequisites.
Firearms lead instructor is able to perform the following duties:
- Department Qualifications (no geographic or department limits)
- Qualify officers with any weapons system(s) that the instructor is certified to teach.
- Lead at any MPTC operated or authorized academy (If prerequisites are met)
Prerequisites include:
- certified as a MPTC Firearms Instructor
- invited by an Academy Director, Firearms Lead Instructor or designee
- five years as a firearms instructor with your department
- approval from chief or designee
- successfully completed (including qualification) the two-day MPTC Range Instructor Development Program
- Certification in Handgun and Rifle
Instructor Trainer:
The firearms instructor trainer will be a limited group of instructors selected by the MPTC. A firearms instructor trainer is able to perform the following duties:
- Department Qualifications (no geographic or department limits)
- Qualify officers with any weapons system(s) that the instructor is certified to teach.
- Lead at any MPTC operated or authorized academy (If prerequisites are met)
Prerequisites include:
- certified as a MPTC Firearms Instructor
- invited by an Academy Director, Firearms Lead Instructor or designee
- three years as a firearms instructor with your department
- approval from chief or designee
- successfully completed (including qualification) the two-day MPTC Range Instructor Development Program
- Certification in Handgun and Rifle
- Lead at any MPTC authorized reserve academy
- Certify new instructors at an MPTC approved program.
New Instructor Program:
All new firearms instructors are required to attend this program. The New Instructor Program mandatory modules include:
- A two-day Range Instructor Development Program; and
- A five-day Handgun Instructor Development Program; and
- Qualification in both Instructor Development Programs
Optional Modules include:
- A Three-day Rifle Instructor Development Program
- A two-day Shotgun Instructor Development Program
- A one-day Revolver Instructor Development Program
- Qualification in each Instructor Development Program you attend
Certification Waiver: The MPTC will accept outside certifications based on a review of the material provided by the applicant to the MPTC Firearms Committee. The following materials must be submitted to the MPTC Firearms Committee for review and approval:
- Formal letter requesting acceptance
- Location and lesson plan of material covered
- Certificate of completion
- More information may be requested pending approval
Within 60 days, the MPTC Firearms Committee will approve or deny the outside certification in writing. If the MPTC Firearms Committee denies the application, specifics as to the reasons for the denial and if applicable, any additional steps that need to be taken to achieve certification. If approved, ALL instructors certified outside of the MPTC protocols must attend the MPTC two-day Range Instructor Development Program within ONE year of the date the initial waiver was granted.