G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training (GOT)

In order for a law enforcement professional to be certified to teach any of the G.R.E.A.T. curricula, successful completion of a G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training (GOT) is required. The training is a comprehensive course that focuses on the structure and content of the G.R.E.A.T. curricula and provides knowledge of current gang trends, while building the skills necessary to teach in a classroom setting. The goal of the GOT is to educate and certify officers to successfully deliver the G.R.E.A.T. curricula in their respective communities.

Once a person successfully completes the online training (approximately ten hours) and classroom portion (36 hours) of a GOT, he or she is certified to teach the middle school curriculum, the elementary curriculum, and the summer program. In order to teach the families component, an officer must attend and successfully complete a G.R.E.A.T. Families Training.

Candidates for a GOT must meet the following requirements:

  • Sworn criminal justice professionals, including:
    • Local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement officers and agents with legal arrest authority
    • Military police or other personnel possessing official governmental law enforcement authority
    • Other sworn law enforcement personnel receiving written approval from the G.R.E.A.T. Program Office, which may include Probation officers, Corrections officers, and reserve, part-time, or retired officers
  • Minimum one year of full-time experience in one of the professions listed above
  • Commitment from the officer and his or her agency to teach the G.R.E.A.T. curricula to middle school and/or elementary students during the year following training

Officer Selection—Applicants for G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training should demonstrate the desired personal characteristics, background, skills, and commitment needed to be a successful G.R.E.A.T. instructor, as detailed here.

Applying to Attend a GOT

All applicants must complete a G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training Application. Once an applicant submits the application, the G.R.E.A.T. Program Office (GPO) will send the Agency Commitment Form to the e-mail address provided on the application. A signed Agency Commitment Form must be submitted for each applicant.

The applicant will also be required to complete approximately ten hours of online training, which must be completed no later than one week prior to attending the classroom training. Applicants will be notified 52 days prior to the start of their training to begin completing online training. They will have 45 days to complete online training. Failure to complete any of these tasks in a timely manner will inhibit your chances of attending the GOT.

Costs to Attend a GOT

United States:  For those attending a GOT, tuition fees of $495 per participant are due prior to attending the classroom portion of the GOT. It is not necessary to submit the tuition payment before beginning the prerequisite online training. These fees cover only a portion of the total cost of training, the rest of which is supported through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The applicant’s agency is responsible for any necessary lodging, transportation, and meal costs.

Central America:   Funding for training is provided through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Department of State, in cooperation with the national government of each participating country. All tuition, as well as many other program expenses, are provided by INL.

See the "Program Costs" section of this website for more information about Program costs.