POST Instructor Development Institute Levels

Since 1959, POST has been at the forefront for helping law enforcement organizations plan and build custom learning solutions that maximize peace officer training, performance, and return on investment. POST continues to be the leader in collaborating with law enforcement subject matter experts (SMEs) in designing curriculum and training solutions that continually enhance the professionalization of California peace officers.

Whether designing a new training program or improving an existing one, POST continues to bring its extensive experience in curriculum development methodology and learning systems to ensure that its courses are properly designed, built, and implemented. This was the basis for the creation of the Instructor Development Institute (IDI) and the Academy Instructor Certification Course (AICC).

Overview of Instructor Development Institute (IDI)

In 2007, the POST Commission approved the Instructor Development Institute (IDI) to develop professionalism in the delivery of law enforcement instruction. The IDI process provides a standardized, multi-level, multi-track program to achieve a holistic approach to instructor development. Each course is grounded in contemporary adult learning methodologies, critical thinking, facilitation and course design skills. These courses provide the foundational skills to be an effective and influential instructor in the any training environment, whether that be within an academy setting, in-service training, roll call briefing, field training, dispatch training or advanced officer training course. The IDI program levels build on each other, focused on ensuring the knowledge and skills required of today’s public safety trainer are prioritized. In addition to individual instructor skill development, this program is also designed to be a leadership program. Students attending this program will develop the skills to mentor, coach and develop their students as well as other instructors. Students within the program will be able to enhance and support agency training, identity training gaps and effectively redesign training to address issues in real time, as well as effectively document training for agency sustainability, risk reduction management and succession planning. Effective public safety training is crucial to an agency’s ability to prepare qualified officers and dispatchers to serve our communities. An investment into the professionalism and caliber of instructors and training curriculum is tantamount to an agency’s success, internally and externally

For more details on the Instructor Development Institute and course offerings, please explore our course information (pdf)

Academy Instructor Certification Course (AICC)

The AICC is the required instructor course for teaching within an academy. Its purpose is to enhance individual instructor skills around adult learning methodology, improving the overall professionalism, quality, and effectiveness of law enforcement training. 

The AICC curriculum is grounded in contemporary adult learning methodologies, critical thinking, taxonomies of learning, activity development, presentation, and facilitation skills. It also includes information specific to teaching within an academy, which has specific standards and operating procedures. Completion of the AICC is equivalent to Level I of the Instructor Development Institute (IDI), and instructors are encouraged to pursue further professional development by taking courses offered in Level 2 (Intermediate), Level 3 (Advanced) and Level 4 (Master). 

Basic Instructor Certificate Course (Level 1)

For public safety instructors not teaching within an academy setting, the Basic Instructor Course is the entry-level course and serves as the foundational level of the POST Instructor Development Institute (IDI).  Similar to the Academy Instructor Certification Course (AICC), the Basic Instructor Certification Course is grounded in contemporary adult learning methodologies, critical thinking, taxonomies of learning, activity development, presentation and facilitation skills. Instructors are encouraged to pursue further professional development by taking courses offered in Level 2 (Intermediate), Level 3 (Advanced) and Level 4 (Master) of the IDI program. The course does not meet the requirement for POST regulation 1009. 
Certification of Level I of the Instructor Development Institute (IDI) includes:

  • Successfully complete a 40-hour POST Basic Instructor Course (Academy Instructor, Basic Instructor, or ICI Instructor)
  • Institute of Criminal Investigation Instructor Course (ICII)

This course is designed for instructors selected to teach in an ICI Core Course or ICI Foundation Specialty Courses. The ICI Instructor Course (ICII) is required by POST regulation for these instructors. This course utilizes an adult, experience-based model that is used throughout the Institute in the various investigative training courses.

Successful completion of any of the above listed basic instructor course will qualify as a prerequisite of enrolling in the IDI Intermediate Level 2 course.

Intermediate (Level 2)

Courses within the Intermediate level are designed to enhance the individual instructor’s skills within an instructional setting as well as begin the foundation for course design and development, student learning verification and classroom management techniques. Certification at the Intermediate Level includes:    

  • Complete the 40-hour Core Course

Advanced (Level 3)

Courses in the Advanced level are designed to further develop an individual instructor’s knowledge and skills as well as provide more advanced learning on instructional design, delivery, and course documentation. Certification at the Advanced Level includes:

  • Complete the 40-hour Advanced Instructor Development Core Course with a 16-hour Teach Back session (56 hours total)
  • Complete the 24-hour Leadership, Coaching, and Mentoring Course*
  • *This course is open to any instructor, at any time.

Master (Level 4)

This program leads an instructor through the design, development and implementation of a course for public safety. Students will research their course topic, design curriculum and develop innovative ways for teaching and validating student learning. Students interested in the Master Instructor Course need to successfully complete all courses through Level 3 of the IDI program, then submit an application for review and acceptance into the Master Instructor Course. The Master Instructor program is completed in about a year and involves all of the following workshops:

  • Orientation Workshop (24 hours)
  • Progress Workshop #1 (24 hours)
  • Core Workshop  (40 hours)
  • Progress Workshop #2 (24 hours)
  • Progress Workshop #3 (24 hours)
  • Validation Workshop (32 hours)