Criminal Investigations Certificate Program

The Criminal Investigation Certificate Program is designed to recognize sworn police officers of North Carolina who have completed appropriate training in order to better prepare themselves for the rigors and challenges of Law Enforcement criminal investigations.  Investigative techniques, details of legal changes, technological advances and the practical application of detectives “best practices” constantly change in our challenging world.  Professional investigators who seek out that best practice training stand out from the rest, and should be so recognized. 

REQUIREMENTS

• If you are currently enrolled in the Criminal Investigative Certificate Program, you will be continued under the requirements that were in place at the time of your enrollment. For questions concerning the previous requirements, contact Nancy Meadows at 828-685-1183, ext. 215, or nmeadows@ncdoj.gov. 
• Must complete an application which includes the Training Manager or Immediate Supervisor AND agency Chief approval to participate in the program.
• Officers who are approved must be a sworn member of a law enforcement agency (public or private) and upon completion have at least two years of full-time law enforcement criminal investigation experience. 
• Applicants must include in the application packet a brief written narrative that answers the following questions:
  1) What the applicant expects to gain from this certificate program;
  2) Personal and professional career goals; and
  3) How NCJA training specifically focused to criminal investigations can advance those goals;
  4) Statement of agreement to complete this program within 5 years of acceptance date.  
• 500 credit hours with focus on law enforcement criminal investigations. Additional classes may be added to the list. 
• Any approved courses taken prior to the acceptance date will be credited towards completion of the certificate program if taken within five years of the application date. These courses must be NCJA listed courses; Community College, University, or other college level programs will NOT count for credit within this program. Hours of credit will be given as listed on course completion documentation. Final approval of courses and credited hours is at the discretion of the program coordinator.
• Accepted officers will be responsible for maintaining documentation of their own progress. Certificates and ongoing documentation other than the initial application will not be maintained on file at the NCJA until the officer has completed the program (NOTE: This is an important change from the previous CICP). 
• CICP participants will submit with the training certificate proofs a first-person narrative, maximum of one page, explaining how this training process has helped to advance their professional Law Enforcement career.
• Recommendations for improvement of CICP or NCJA training in general are welcome and should be included. The program coordinator will be available on an individual basis if any participant needs clarification regarding this written project element.
• Applicants must complete the program within five years of acceptance in the program. If this deadline cannot be met, there will be consideration of hardship circumstances at the discretion of the program coordinator.