Internal Only - Use of Force Instructor

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC), a unit of The University of Kansas, seeks a Police Instructor Senior to lead use-of-force instruction across basic, advanced and specialized courses statewide, including curriculum development and learning objectives.

The role involves managing equipment, maintaining inventories, attending advanced training, and mentoring instructors while delivering high-quality classroom and scenario-based training at KLETC and outreach sites.

Qualifications

• A valid Kansas driver's license or ability to obtain one within 90 days.
• Bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
• A minimum of 8 years of increasingly responsible experience as a full‑time certified law enforcement officer.
• Effective written communication skills as evident in application materials.

Responsibilities

• 60%: Instruct students in basic, advanced and specialized law enforcement classes and seminars across Kansas; develop curriculum and learning objectives.
• 60%: Utilize diverse instructional methodologies and conduct scenario-based training; create and evaluate exercises.
• 30%: Develop curricula, learning objectives, lesson plans and handouts for academy programs.
• 10%: Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Effective written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (Higher Learning Commission accredited)

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Position Overview

The Police Instructor Senior serves as the senior use of force instructor and is responsible for the instruction of students in basic, advanced and specialized law enforcement classes, courses and seminars conducted by the KLETC, to include the development of curriculum and learning objectives for police subjects and instruction of basic training and in-service training classes at KLETC and outreach sites across the state.

The Hutchinson Campus consists of 173 acres with fifteen buildings including two multi‑story residential student dormitories.

The Hutchinson Campus is home to the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC). A unit of The University of Kansas (KU), KLETC serves as the central agency for all law enforcement training in the State of Kansas. KLETC manages a $12 million annual budget, 65 authorized FTE staff (augmented by more than 400 contract/adjunct staff annually), and trains nearly 15,000 students annually in residential, online, and outreach programs. KLETC serves 437 recognized law enforcement and police agencies in Kansas, providing basic training and continuing education programs throughout each fiscal year.

In addition to a competitive salary, KU offers great benefits to employees such as paid vacation, sick leave, ten paid holidays, plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees education and professional development opportunities.

Job Description

60% Responsible for the instruction of students in basic, advanced and specialized law enforcement classes, courses, seminars and workshops at KLETC and outreach sites throughout Kansas.

• Utilizes diverse instructional methodologies based on proven adult learning principles while presenting and incorporating classroom and practical, scenario‑based performance outcome training classes;
• Researches, develops and evaluates practical application training exercises;
• Research, develops and instructs advanced training classes and seminars taught to local, state and federal law enforcement officers;
• Attends advanced training classes, courses, seminars and workshops nationally to stay abreast of the latest information, techniques, methods and strategies of contemporary law enforcement operations related to assigned fields of police instruction;
• Maintains a general knowledge of all areas of law enforcement to provide assistance to other instructors in the presentation of their assigned areas of instruction;
• Provides student officers with academic counseling services, student evaluations, participates on curriculum committees and other duties commonly associated with the instructional professional;
• Maintains the weapons systems, simulators, computers, and projectors to sustain the Judgmental Use of Force training;
• Maintains and documents the inventory control system for the Judgmental Use of Force equipment;
• Establishes and makes recommendations to KLETC management staff for approval regarding successful/unsuccessful evaluation standards for the Judgmental Use of Force training;
• Makes Use of Force policy recommendations to KLETC management staff;
• Provides training to the KLETC instructional staff on the operation and evaluation process of the Judgmental Use of Force simulator;
• Conducts or schedules other KLETC instructional staff to conduct required remedial Judgmental Use of Force training for students rated unsuccessful in their initial evaluation;
• Facilitates outside agency use of the KLETC Judgmental Use of Force system.
• Maintains the Non‑Lethal Training Ammunition equipment inventory, excluding firearms; Facilitates outside agency use of the KLETC Non‑Lethal Training Ammunition facility.

30% Responsible for the development of curricula, learning objectives, lesson plans and handout reference material for all certified and authorized basic law enforcement training academy programs in Kansas.

• Conducts research in assigned fields to stay informed of latest trends, theories, and methodologies;
• Designs and develops new law enforcement curriculum by creating learning objectives, lesson plans, and other instructional support documents based on research, surveys and job task analysis to be disseminated to all Kansas law enforcement academy programs;
• Regularly reviews current curriculum to assess and analyze validity;
• Develops defensible test items and evaluation matrixes to be used for academic and practical application assessment in law enforcement classes and courses;
• Initiates curriculum content changes based on law statute changes, court decisions or research.

10% Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• A valid Kansas driver's license or ability to obtain one within 90 days.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
• A minimum of 8 years of increasingly responsible experience as a full‑time certified law enforcement officer.
• Effective written communication skills as evident in application materials.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market‑driven expectations

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of increasingly responsible experience in a law enforcement agency or training program setting;
• Master's degree from an institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Contact Information to Applicants

Barbara Harrison

[e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

5,000 increase in current salary

Application Review Begins

Wednesday September 9, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

Sunday September 27, 2026