Training Unit
Training Director
Lt. Mike Fowler
mfowler@knoxvilletn.gov
The Training Academy is responsible for providing basic recruit training to all new officers, in-service training to current officers each year and facilitates other specialized training as part of the department’s commitment to the professional development of its employees. The Training Unit strives to keep officers current in new, emerging trends in professional policing. The Training Section is also responsible for providing training for the civilian employees of the department, both uniformed and administrative.
The Basic Recruit Academy consists of the traditional police training, including patrol procedures, driving, firearm skills, and de-escalation.
On December 4, 2004, the Knoxville Police Department Training Academy became the first municipal academy to receive full accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This process includes an extensive review of the Academy’s policies, procedures and environment to assure compliance with standards set by the commission. The Academy has since been reaccredited every three years since then.
The Phil E. Keith Training Center, an East Knoxville facility, (located on Cement Plant Rd.), houses a state of the art firearms center to include: one 30 point, 50-yard pistol range; one 30 point, 20 yard pistol range; one 20 point, 100-yard rifle range with a rappelling and sniper tower. The ranges are equipped with electronic targeting systems. The Phil E. Keith Training Center also houses a state of the art 360 degree indoor live-fire shooting facility. This facility allows officers to utilize firearms inside of a safe environment designed to simulate a typical house or apartment. This structure is the only one of its kind in the area operated by a municipal agency. The facility is also equipped with classrooms and computerized use of force simulator.
Located adjacent to the Phil E. Keith Training Center is the Don Jones Driving Track which includes a sophisticated skid pad, large skills area, and city response course, complete with street signs, markings, and traffic lights. A roadway to simulate highway and interstate driving encircles the track. The track is equipped with lighting for nighttime use and also has a central control point housed within its four-story control tower. This facility has become a regional resource for both government drivers training as well as providing education to the community.
1650 Huron Street
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: (865) 215-7000
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