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Registering In-Service Training Courses in MITN

Registering In-Service Training Courses in MITN

Law enforcement agencies or in-service training providers who offer training courses to Michigan law enforcement officers must register their courses with MCOLES so agencies can pay for the training using funds distributed under Public Act 302 or Public Act 1.

Agencies and in-service training providers can publish their training courses on the MCOLES Course Registry, so the training is available for all licensed law enforcement officers in the state.  Agencies also have the option of registering in-house training for only their agency. Further information on becoming an authorized in-service training provider on the MCOLES Network is available on this website on the Forms & Applications page, under the MCOLES Information and Tracking Network (MITN) Forms tab.

Training under PA 302:

Course registration is mandatory for funding eligibility through the Michigan Justice Training Fund (Public Act 302). This means that monies obtained through the Law Enforcement Distribution or Public Act 302 grants may not be used to pay for unregistered training. NOTE: Registration of a course does not imply endorsement of the training materials or vendor by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.

Training under PA 1:

Course registration and approval is mandatory for both funding eligibility and credit hours through the Continuing Professional Education Program (Public Act 1).  This means that monies obtained through PA 1 may not be used to pay for training that is unregistered and unapproved.

The course registration process for both PA 302 and PA 1 involves logging into the MCOLES Information and Tracking Network (MITN) and providing the following course information:

  • COURSE ID: this is for your internal recordkeeping; MCOLES does not issue.
  • COURSE TITLE: this includes the name of the training.
  • INSTRUCTION HOURS: this includes the length of the training.
  • COURSE DESCRIPTION: answers should reflect the following...
  • What type of training and what are the goals of the course (what is the desired outcome)?
  • Is the content up-to-date and relevant to the field of study?
  • Does the curriculum incorporate diverse perspectives and experiences?
  • Are there real-world applications or examples provided to enhance understanding?
  • Do the teaching strategies cater to different learning styles and preferences? Are you using a variety of instructional methods?
  • Are active learning opportunities, such as group discussions or hands-on activities, incorporated?
  • OBJECTIVES: answers should reflect the following....
  • Written training objectives should be measurable, observable, and limited in time.
  • The objectives should be presented as an action statement: "At the completion of training, the trainee will be able to..." See sample course objectives. 
  • Training objectives should use Bloom's Taxonomy levels and action verbs that match the cognitive level of learning you are trying to achieve with your training. See Bloom's Taxonomy Chart and action verbs graphic. 
  • Are the objectives clearly stated and aligned with the course goals/desired outcomes?
  • OUTLINE: This should be a topical outline, listing the major points to be addressed in the training course. The items should also reflect the amount of time that will be spent on each area. See sample course outline.
  • Is the content logically organized and sequenced?
  • Does the curriculum cover all necessary topics comprehensively?
  • Are there clear connections between different units or modules?
    • COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS (Knowledge Assessment): answers should reflect the following....
    • What assessment method will be used to determine if there has been a transfer of knowledge? Example assessment methods include written/oral quizzes and/or tests (what is the % to pass), practical demonstrations/scenarios (pass/fail). 
    • Are assessment methods aligned with the stated objectives and goals?
    • Do assessments measure both knowledgeable action and application?
    • CONTACT INFORMATION: this includes detailed information for the person registering the course.
    • NOTE: You will be contacted if there is a problem with the information submitted. You will not be sent a confirmation of approval -- please check the MITN entry and look for a Course Status of "Initial Registration, First Registration Renewal, or Second Registration Renewal."
    • INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS: answers should reflect the following....
    • Do not provide a full CV or resume. Provide information specific to what makes this instructor qualified to teach this specific topic. 
    • What makes the instructor the subject matter expert in this topic?
    • What training, education and experience does the instructor possess in this topic?

      Use of Force, Firearms, and RADAR courses require the below additional documentation:

      • Use of Force Courses: For those courses where students will engage in hands-on defensive tactics, subject control, ground fighting, or other training where physical contact will occur, additional requirements include a documented review by competent authority of the medical, legal, and tactical soundness of each technique to be taught. The medical review shall include the potential for injury to the officer and subject if the technique is performed correctly as well as incorrectly. Use of force instruction should utilize Michigan's subject control continuum or one that is legally and tactically comparable.
      • Firearms Courses: Where firearms or other deadly force training is to be presented, additional requirements include providing the students with safety guidelines, a review of the legal use of deadly force, and a decision-making component (e.g., shoot/don't shoot scenarios). These three requirements shall be reflected in the course outline.
      • RADAR Operator Courses: With changes to the RADAR curriculum and tests, the instructors shall have attended one of the Michigan Speed Measurement Task Force 2001 Instructor Updates. This shall be documented on the instructor resume. Submissions for these courses shall include the course outline and objectives provided at the Instructor Update.

      Course Registration Extension: 

      An MCOLES course registration is valid for one year from the registration date. A course can be extended a maximum of two one-year extensions so long as there has been no changes in course content, instructors, and hours from the original application. Otherwise, a new registration must be submitted. When a training course is eligible for an extension, a renew button will appear on the agency training list for you to click. If the training has already expired and you want to extend the training course you must contact MCOLES at MSP-MCOLES@michigan.gov. 

      P.A. 302 Law Enforcement Distribution: 

      The MCOLES course registration process is directly related to the use of LED funds. Training that is approved for use of LED funds must be MCOLES registered; likewise, training which has been registered may not be automatically approved for use of 302 funds (such as out-of-state vendors). For more information on use of LED funds, see Law Enforcement Distribution Information.

      Special Use Requests:

      A special use request is required if your agency is using Law Enforcement Distribution (LED) funds to:

      • Send an officer to a training course hosted outside of Michigan and/or,
      • Your agency is purchasing equipment and the cost exceeds $5,000 per item or 10% of the agency’s distribution.

      For questions regarding In-Service Training registration please contact MCOLES at MSP-MCOLES@michigan.gov or by phone at 517-636-7867.