Law enforcement agencies in Iowa and Missouri evaluating continuing education options tend to ask the same questions. If you’re looking for answers, this article will have your questions about PLS Legal Update answered. Here is a straightforward look at what PLS Legal Update covers and what agencies can expect.
What does each lesson cover?
PLS Legal Update lessons are written by attorneys and built around real court cases and lawsuits relevant to law enforcement officers in Iowa and Missouri. Lessons place officers in the position of the officer at the scene and examine how the court reviewed that officer’s actions, making police case law training directly applicable to the decisions offers face in the field.
Lessons cover three categories. Legal update lessons analyze actual court decisions on topics including search and seizure law, use of force, interrogations, qualified immunity, drunk driving, constitutional law, civil rights, and more. Interpersonal perspectives lessons address bias prevention, racial profiling, de-escalation, police misconduct, mental illness, crisis management, and other current issues in policing. Technical skills lessons cover human trafficking investigations, eyewitness identification, officer safety, documentation of high-risk incidents, and other operational topics.
New lessons are released every month, keeping officers current on recent court decisions and changes in police law without requirement agencies to develop or source training materials in-house.
What continuing education requirements does PLS Legal Update satisfy?
PLS Legal Update is approved for continuing education credit with the Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training Program (POST) and the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA). It satisfies state-specific requirements including racial profiling, bias prevention, de-escalation, bloodborne pathogens, mental health training, and hazardous materials, among others.
Agencies with questions about specific requirements in their state should contact PLS directly.
What makes PLS Legal Update different from other law enforcement training options?
PLS is the only provider of law enforcement training that is state-specific for Iowa and Missouri. Lessons are written by attorneys who track evolving state and federal case law and tailor content to the jurisdictions where these officers actually work. Law enforcement training online through PLS includes state-specific cases from local agencies, not generical national content that may not reflect how courts in Iowa or Missouri may have ruled. PLS also provides an annual legislative update for Iowa and Missouri officers.
The training addresses policing standards that matter most in these states, helping officers understand not just what the law requires, but how local courts have interpreted and applied it. As once Chief of Police noted, the training is relevant to all agencies’ sizes, and not just metro departments.
How do agencies typically use the training?
Most agencies make officers responsible for completing one to two lessons per month. Because all officers complete the same training during the same period, the training creates a natural foundation for discussion about policy, about how to apply the law, and about the decisions officers are most likely to face.
Training records are maintained through the system, reducing the administrative burden on supervisors and making compliance straightforward to document.
Is it a good fit for smaller agencies?
Yes! PLS Legal Update is designed to serve agencies of all sizes, including smaller and rural departments. The training is available 24/7, requires no travel, and satisfies state POST and ILEA continuing education requirements, making PLS Legal Update a practical option regardless of agency size.
How does an agency get started with PLS Legal Update?
Free trial lessons are available, and we can provide a customized quote for your agency’s training needs. Officers who work through a PLS Legal Update lesson firsthand tend to recognize its value immediately.
Contact PLS to learn more or get started with PLS Legal Update!