Constitutional Foundations of Law Enforcement

Please note: This training can be found on our Benchmark Learning Management System. To register, create your account or log in here, then either search for your desired training under “Available Training” or return to this page and click "Register" below to be taken directly to the event page. For more information or help, please refer to this page. 

This training is only open to sworn law enforcement officers

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce the “Constitutional Foundations of Law Enforcement” training course presented in cooperation with the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier.

This course provides historical context for the development of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, as well as in-depth instruction related to the application of the United States Constitution to the work of law enforcement.

Topics to be covered include:

• James Madison: Father of the Constitution and Architect of the Bill of Rights
• First Amendment: Protected Speech and Expression; The Rights to Assemble and Petition for Redress of Grievances; Responding to Protests and Rallies
• Fourth Amendment: Detentions and Arrests; Vehicles and Consent; Special Needs; Use of Force
• Fifth Amendment: Public Employees; Eyewitness Identification
• Second Amendment: Perspectives of Officers, Citizens, and Courts
• Sixth Amendment: Confrontation Clause and Implications for Investigations
• Qualified Immunity and Police Discretion

Who should attend?

This training is open to sworn law enforcement officers only.

Seminar Attire:

Business Casual

Partial In-service Credit:

Partial In-service Credit (PIC) for Virginia law enforcement officers will be provided.

Seminar Details:

Early check-ins to lodging - Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Late check-ins - Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 8:30 am 

Training Hours

Training will run from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm on March 17, 2026 

Training will run from 8:45 am – 5:30 pm on March 18, 2026

Training will run from 8:45 am - 3:00 pm on March 19, 2026

Meals, Travel, and Lodging

Instruction, lodging, and meals are included for participants and provided courtesy of The Montpelier Foundation.

Participants are responsible for travel arrangements.

Cost and Registration

There is no registration fee for this course; however, pre-registration is required.

Training materials will be provided. 

Please note that the DCJS registration system does not have the capacity to sort eligible from ineligible registrants. Therefore, anyone who registers will receive a confirmation. It is the responsibility of the DCJS-assigned course coordinator to review the roster and make a final determination on acceptance into the course. Denied registrants will be notified via the email address provided during registration.