The Training Unit’s primary responsibility is the coordination of all training for sworn personnel.   

The members of this unit provide on average 40 hours of in-service training to each officer per year.  These trainings include but are not limited to instruction on the current best practices in policing, law updates, diversity training, and crisis intervention.  This unit also maintains mandatory FDLE recertifications.  

In addition, this unit is responsible for the initial training of newly hired police officers.  The Agency Specific Training (AST) program is six weeks of rigorous training to familiarize new officers with SPD policies and procedures, high liability certifications, and Crisis Intervention Training.  Following AST, the recruit officer goes into a 14-week Field Training and Evaluation Program during which they are assigned to work with experienced Patrol Officers before responding to calls on their own.  The Training Unit coordinates all assignments and oversees their progress in this program.  All recruit officers must successfully complete both training programs during their probationary period. 

In 2021, the Sarasota Police Department created the SPD Leadership Institute.  This 8-month program provides leadership trainings to those interested in taking a supervisory role within our agency.  The Training Unit coordinated all guest speakers for this program.