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MERIDIAN-NAMPA
JOINT PATROL ACADEMY
In the State of Idaho, all Police Officers must complete or challenge the POST Basic Patrol Officer Certification course within 1 year of being hired with a law enforcement agency. In 2019, the Meridian Police Department and Nampa Police Department collaborated to conduct the first Meridian-Nampa Joint Patrol Academy at the Public Safety Training Center in Meridian. Conducting a Joint Patrol Academy allows both agencies to structure the training cycle to align with both departments' cultures and policies; while also ensuring new officers learn the necessary skills and knowledge it takes to become a certified Police Officer in the State of Idaho.
ENTRY LEVEL AND OUT-OF-STATE LATERALS
At the Meridian Police Department, all new officers - both entry level and out-of-state lateral - are required to attend the Joint Patrol Academy. Entry level officers will attend the full 18-week academy, whereas lateral officers may attend the modified 11-week academy (but may be extended to the 18-week academy, depending on patrol experience).
The Meridian-Nampa Joint Patrol Academy is conducted with a focus on training, and is not conducted as a military style, stress-discipline academy. During the academy, new officers will spend time in the classroom learning about criminal law and department policy, receive firearms and Less than Lethal weapons system training, Defensive Tactics skills, participate in physical training, and be evaluated on their application of learned material through written examinations and practical scenarios.
IN-STATE LATERALS
An existing patrol officer, within the State of Idaho, may go through a 5-week, onboarding training, which will also assess their patrol abilities to either go to Field Training, or to the 11 to 18-week academies (depending on patrol experience).
MEET THE TRAINING STAFF
Sergeant
Justin Dance
Sergeant Dance joined the Meridian Police Department in 2011 after 6 years with the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office. He worked as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer and Patrol Corporal. In 2017, Sergeant Dance was promoted to Sergeant where he served as a Patrol Sergeant, Traffic Sergeant and K9 Sergeant. Additionally, he is part of the Building Search/Active Shooter and Defensive Tactics cadre where he enjoys teaching. Currently, Sergeant Dance serves as the Training Coordinator for the Meridian Police Department.
Corporal
Kevin Kinnaman
Corporal Kinnaman joined the Meridian Police Department in 2011 after 3 years with the El Paso Police Department. He worked as a Patrol Officer, Swat member and Impact team Detective. In 2021 Corporal Kinnaman was promoted and worked as a Corporal for the Impact team, Patrol and the Training Division. Corporal Kinnaman is an academy coordinator and instructs Firearm and Less Lethal courses in the academy and in service training.
Training Officer
Tavita Messenger
Officer Messenger joined the Meridian Police Department in 2016 with 2 years of prior law enforcement experience with the Twin Falls Police Department. Officer Messenger worked as a Patrol Officer and was later selected to be a Field Training Officer and Meridian Police Department Instructor. He has a passion and aptitude for raising up the next generation of officers which made for a seamless transition to the Meridian-Nampa Joint Patrol Academy as a Training Officer in September of 2021. Officer Messenger also serves on the Recruiting Team searching for quality individuals with a desire to serve in the Meridian community.
CONTACT
US
(208) 888-6678
PDRECRUITING@MERIDIANCITY.ORG
VISIT
US
1401 EAST WATERTOWER STREET
MERIDIAN, IDAHO 83642
MONDAY-FRIDAY: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM