POE Driver Training

The Colorado State Patrol has an extensive driver training program. Driver training begins with basic defensive driving. For emergency vehicle operations, students will learn proper vehicle control by understanding vehicle dynamics. The student will learn to operate their assigned vehicle in a safe and efficient manner in a variety of situations.

Driving is a task that people use everyday and Colorado State Patrol Port of Entry Officers are no different. Officers can spend an average of eight to 10 hours per day in their mobile units. In these hours, officers will be required to drive at a high level of performance and may be called upon to drive under extreme conditions. These extreme conditions could consist of inclement weather and high traffic volumes or all of them combined.

Physical Application of Driving Techniques

Professional driver training is important to the Colorado State Patrol for several reasons. The first is driving on the highways of the state can be dangerous to officers and the public. Secondly, driver-caused errors are one of the most litigated aspects of liability and negligence in the country. Finally, mobile unit operations is one of the most dangerous activities that an officer will perform. It is for these reasons that a Colorado State Patrol Port of Entry Officer receives driver training at the Academy and also why it is continued throughout the field training program. Driver training is also offered as continuing education to officers.

Classroom

Cadets are required to apply driving techniques learned in the classroom to situations at the Colorado State Patrol Driving Track.