Introduction

Welcome to the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy Basic Learning Skills page. We designed these pages for Academy recruits who have been assigned to a recruit class, but have not yet begun their studies. You will find introductions to some of the skills you will need to use well at the Academy. You will also find some assessment exercises that will allow you and our instructors to determine what skills you already have and the skills on which you will need to work.

CMPA Recruits: This is a Required Assignment

Each recruit is expected to complete these exercises by the date on the confirmation letter.

It will take less than an hour to view or listen to the presentations, and two or three hours of additional work to do the exercises. We will provide you with some automated feedback and will contact you before you enter the program if we have concerns about your submissions.

You will also find links to learning skills materials available on the Web that you are encouraged to read.

Please note: We are sorry that, while anyone may download and look at the materials on this site and will receive the automated feedback, only submissions from registered recruits will receive any personal attention.

System Requirements - Narrated Slide Shows

This program is entirely Web-based, so you will need an Internet connection and email address. A DSL / Cable connection is best, since there are some large files (5-7 MB per slide show) that will need to be downloaded. However, everything on this site should be accessible with a good dial-up (modem) connection, if you are patient.

If you have dial-up and wish to avoid long waits, choose the audio-only options offered for each program. See below for system requirements for audio-only.

If you use Windows XP or Vista, you have a Media Player adequate to view the programs, but can use the link below to update to the latest version.

If you use Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows 2000, or Windows ME, and haven't updated Media Player, click the logo to open a new window and go to the Microsoft download site to download the appropriate Media Player:

These are rather large downloads. However, this update is required to view the presentations, so please get it before trying to take the Study Skills course.

Finally, you will need a sound card and speakers to hear the narration on the Windows Media presentations.

System Requirements - Audio Only Option

If you use Windows XP or Vista, you have a media player adequate to listen to the programs.

If you use Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows 2000, or Windows ME, you will still need a media player capable of playing version 8 Windows Media files. We have tried the files with current versions of MusicMatch JukeBox, RealPlayer, WinAmp, and Foobar2000 and they work well. If you wish to use Windows Media Player, click the logo to go to the Microsoft download site to download the appropriate player for your operating system:

Some of these players are large downloads. There are more details on the rspective sites.

Finally, you will still need a sound card and speakers to hear the narration.

Ready to Begin

Once you have downloaded and installed the programs needed, it is time to begin. To go to Part One of Basic Learning Skills, click the [Next] button below: