State training requirements

Wisconsin Peace Officer Training Requirements

Who governs peace officer standards in Wisconsin, the annual in-service requirement, the mandated topics for de-escalation and crisis response, and who decides what counts for in-service credit.

Verified as of July 10, 2026

Who governs

Peace officer standards and training in Wisconsin are set by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB), Department of Justice.

Annual in-service requirement

Wisconsin requires 24 hours of recertification training each state fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) for every certified officer, and it applies equally to full-time and part-time officers; an officer dual-certified within one agency completes 24 total. Two subjects are statutorily mandated: an annual handgun qualification under the LESB model standards and a biennial 4-hour vehicle pursuit course. The remaining content is at the discretion of the primary employer.

Source: Wis. Admin. Code LES 3.01 (recertification training)

Mandated topics relevant to CodeBlu

  • Vehicle pursuit

    A biennial 4-hour vehicle pursuit course is statutorily mandated.

    Source: Wis. Admin. Code LES 3

  • De-escalation and crisis intervention

    De-escalation is not a standalone recurring statewide requirement, and crisis intervention or mental health is not mandated recurring statewide; both are at agency discretion within the 24 hours.

    Source: LESB Policy and Procedures Manual (June 2024)

Who decides in-service credit

Agency discretion

Except for handgun qualification and vehicle pursuit, the content of the 24 hours is left to the chief or sheriff. Records are kept via the Acadis Portal, and the LESB does not pre-approve most recertification content.

Source: LESB Policy and Procedures Manual (June 2024)

What this means for training like CodeBlu

Because Wisconsin leaves the in-service credit decision to each agency's chief executive, a department can decide whether training like CodeBlu counts toward its non-perishable in-service hours. This is not a determination of eligibility: CodeBlu does not certify hours or grant credit, the chief executive owns that decision, and agency policy and legal counsel govern. CodeBlu provides the per-officer records and transcripts that support the decision and the agency's own reporting.

Primary sources

Verified as of July 10, 2026. This page is reviewed on an annual cadence, and the date is bumped only on re-verification against the primary sources above.

Frequently asked questions

Who sets peace officer training requirements in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB), Department of Justice sets peace officer standards and training requirements in Wisconsin.
How many annual in-service training hours does Wisconsin require?
Wisconsin requires 24 hours of recertification training each state fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) for every certified officer, and it applies equally to full-time and part-time officers; an officer dual-certified within one agency completes 24 total. Two subjects are statutorily mandated: an annual handgun qualification under the LESB model standards and a biennial 4-hour vehicle pursuit course. The remaining content is at the discretion of the primary employer.
Who decides what training counts for in-service credit in Wisconsin?
Except for handgun qualification and vehicle pursuit, the content of the 24 hours is left to the chief or sheriff. Records are kept via the Acadis Portal, and the LESB does not pre-approve most recertification content.

This article is educational content prepared by CodeBlu for law enforcement training purposes. It is not legal advice. Officers should consult their agency's legal counsel for guidance specific to their jurisdiction and situation.

Questions? Email hello@codeblu.co.