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Student Handbook

Climate.

El Salvador has a very warm climate, especially along its 321 km of pacific coastline. The temperatures decrease as you make your way inland. El Salvador is located at the center of the American continent next to Guatemala and Honduras. Temperatures in this tropical, dry climate range from about 24º C to about 30º C. Because of its geographic location, El Salvador has only two seasons: the dry season (November to April) and the rainy season (May to October).

Transportation.

ILEA will cover all of your travel arrangements and transport to the Academy. The trip is to be made using the least expensive travel method. Economy seating is to be used for any air travel arrangements.

Upon returning to their home countries, the participants will be responsible for any excess baggage fees resulting from ILEA-provided training materials or personal shopping items (electronics, car parts, clothes, etc.).

The Embassy/Consulate of the United States in each country will conduct the necessary coordination between ILEA and the participants (Visa, per diem, transportation tickets, etc.).

El Salvador will facilitate the visa process for those participants that may require it to enter the country. If you are traveling from South America, you must get vaccinated against yellow fever at least 10 days before you travel. This is a compulsory measure implemented by the Ministry of Health of El Salvador.

ILEA will make a request, to the immigration authorities of El Salvador, to expedite your entry into the country; it is, therefore, imperative that ILEA receive in advance the information of your arrival (date of arrival, airline, flight number, time of arrival, and any other relevant information). Please confirm, with your point of contact at the Embassy/Consulate that your itinerary has been provided to ILEA San Salvador.

Once at ILEA, the staff will process your admission and you will be required to identify yourself and submit the complete application package (in original) along with your medical file (LELD Program only).

Reception process.

The reception process will begin upon your arrival to the Academy. The following will be provided to you at this time:

  1. Information concerning the Academy.
  2. Medical insurance policy.
  3. Room assignment.

Each country delegation must choose a leader that will act as the point of contact for all delegation members as well as the liaison between individual participants and the Class Coordinator (LELD program only).

After each training module, you will be asked to answer an evaluation form on the topic and on the instructors. Please answer the questions candidly. These evaluations are used to improve future courses by better meeting the training needs of the participants.

Attendance requirements.

You have been invited to attend ILEA under the assumption that you will dedicate all of your time and energy to the training program. You have the obligation to attend all instruction blocks, exhibitions, and official events of the Academy.

Participants are reminded that unjustified absences are not permitted. Should you require a leave of absence, you must fill out a request form that will be provided to you, by the Training Coordinators, for approval by the ILEA Directors.

In order to be issued a course certificate, at the end of the course, each participant must meet the minimum attendance requirements.

The maximum class time absence allowed is 8 hours for specialized courses and 24 hours for LELD programs.

Unless otherwise informed, classes will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. and two breaks (one in the morning and another one in the afternoon).

Lodging.

All foreign ILEA participants must be lodged at the ILEA facilities. Salvadorans attending the LELD program must also be lodged at the ILEA facilities. Salvadoran participants attending specialized courses at the Academy whose place of residence is more than 80 kilometers away from the Academy may also stay in the ILEA facilities. Training Coordinators must be informed in advance of any lodging needs.

The rooms will be assigned in a random fashion and in a two-bed configuration. Room changes are not allowed without prior authorization by the Directors.

Even though ILEA will provide cleaning services, you should keep your room clean and presentable at all times. Participants must take good care of the room furniture and equipment and will be held liable for any damages.

The participants are responsible for securing their room doors and for keeping their valuables in the safe deposit boxes. ILEA will not be held liable in the event of stolen or lost items.

Mail.

All mail must be addressed as follows:

  • (Name)
  • (Position)
  • (Course name)
  • Academia Internacional para el Cumplimiento de la Ley, ILEA.
  • Calle El Pedregal y Boulevard Cancillería, Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad, El Salvador.

Should you wish to receive mail or packages please seek the advice of the Training Coordinators on the process.

Financial issues.

Expenses covered by the Academy:

Learning materials are provided by the academy free of charge. Additionally, LEA will cover food and lodging costs.

Personal expenses:

Personal expenses (entertainment, personal hygiene products, snacks, etc.) are the responsibility of the participants.

Social activities:

The Academy offers a range of non-academic activities that are an essential part of the program in order to enrich your experience at ILEA.

Legal tender:

The legal tender of the host country is the U.S. dollar. You should exchange currency prior to departure from your home country. Most international airports have currency exchange services.

Dress code and equipment.

Daily outfit:

In the case of the LELD programs, the daily attire for all instruction periods will be the shirts and pants provided by the Academy.

In the case of the specialized programs, casual attire is required. Jeans, t-shirts, or sandals are not allowed during class time. ILEA will provide only one polo-type shirt for short courses.

Official, social, and academic events:

The participants are required to wear formal attire for the group picture and during special classroom functions and graduation ceremonies. Country dinners, on the other hand, are informal dinners where each participant country has the opportunity to share with the other delegations, their gastronomy, landscapes, customs, and traditions.

The weekend dress code is more relaxed and the participants may wear more informal clothes. Gentlemen may wear collar shirts and appropriate pants and ladies may wear blouses and pants or skirts.

Computers:

ILEA has a wireless Internet system and computers for use by the participants.

Fitness:

In the interest of fitness, LELD participants must attend fitness classes twice a week. The participants must wear appropriate athletic attire.

All ILEA participants may use the Fitness Center and pool during their stay at ILEA.

Health.

Medical aspects:

ILEA courses require moderate physical effort in order to maintain a good level of fitness.

ILEA participants must be in good health and should not suffer from any permanent or temporary restrictive condition or mobility difficulties that could prevent them from fully engaging in course activities.

Illness during your stay at the Academy:

ILEA has made arrangements for emergency medical services to be provided by a physician as required. If you find yourself sick, during your stay at the Academy, and in need of emergency medical care, please inform your team leader, during class hours, or the ILEA staff, after hours.

ILEA has a clinic to address medical emergencies. The clinic is in the first floor of the Administrative and Classroom building. For consultation, please ask the receptionist at the front desk.

Ethics Code.

ILEA San Salvador has adopted an Ethics Code conceived and designed to enhance integrity and increase motivation to participate in the Academy programs.

You are expected to respect said Code. Violations to the Ethics Code may result in your dismissal from the Academy. The Ethics Code adopted by the Academy is the following:

“Upon my honor, I vow to uphold and respect the ethical philosophy of the International Law Enforcement Academy and to act with honesty and integrity in my academic efforts.”

Conduct and discipline.

Conduct:

Your behavior during your stay in the Academy is a direct reflection of yourself, your agency, and your country. Therefore, it is your responsibility to behave in a praiseworthy manner. The rules of conduct of the Academy are the following:

  1. Do not engage in private conversations, in the classroom, while the instructors present their materials.
  2. Please turn off your mobile phone and place it in the cubby-hole shelf of every classroom. Hold your phoneconversations outside the classroom during break time.
  3. Do not read newspapers, magazines, books, or any materials not provided by the instructors, in the classroom, while classes are in progress.
  4. Do not bring visitors to the Student Residence Hall. All visitors are to properly identify themselves at the gate and may visit the ILEA participants until 9:00 p.m. in the common areas of the facilities.
  5. Each participant has a responsibility to arrive on time for all ILEA activities.
  6. Mutual respect is a responsibility of each participant.
  7. Violence or discrimination, of any sort, will not be tolerated.
  8. Address the administrative, technical, cleaning, maintenance, and security staff with due respect.
  9. Each participant is responsible for his/her personal items and equipment (such as computers, cameras, calculators, pens, coins, etc.). 

Incidents:

Any incident must be reported immediately to the corresponding delegation leader who, in turn, must report the incident to the Class Coordinator or directly to the Training Coordinator.

Discipline:

Any violation to the rules of conduct or any form of behavior deemed unacceptable for a law enforcement official, will result in admonishment by the Directors or even immediate dismissal from the Academy, depending on the severity of the incident.

In case of dismissal, ILEA will make the necessary arrangements for the participant to leave the Academy immediately and to be returned to his country of origin on the first available flight.

ILEA San Salvador faculty.

ILEA San Salvador strives to reach academic excellence by gathering highly experienced, highly qualified instructors.

The following is a list of agencies that, jointly with ILEA San Salvador, make it possible to deliver the training programs:

  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
  • Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS)
  • Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)
  • Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
  • Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
  • United States Secret Service (USSS)

Sports and recreational facilities.

ILEA has sports and recreational facilities to make your stay more pleasant. The facilities include: a Fitness Center, pool, sports court, game and T.V. rooms, gardens and plazas, and a simulated urban environment for practicals. The participants are to make reasonable use of the facilities and ensure their good up keeping and cleanliness.

Pool:

The pool has a maximum depth of 1.40 m and, therefore, diving and rough play are not allowed. Drinks are not allowed in the pool. The proper swimwear is indispensable to make use of the pool. Pool hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Fitness Center:

Any equipment used must be returned to its proper place (weights, dumb bells, mats, etc). The participants must care for and clean the equipment they use. Proper gymnasium attire and a towel are required of all users. The gymnasium will be available to all participants 24/7 except, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., when the gym is reserved for use by the ILEA staff.

Sports court:

Please be considerate in using the sports court so that everyone else can use it.

Game and T.V. rooms:

Please be courteous in using the game and T.V. rooms so as to promote respect and camaraderie. The participants are to care for the equipment they use.

Gardens and plazas:

The participants may walk or remain in the gardens and plazas, during breaks and in their spare time, being careful not to harm the plants or fauna.

Practical Exercise Area:

The participants may walk or remain in the simulated urban environment when it is not in use or in non-class time.

Laundry equipment.

The Residence Hall is equipped with laundry machines for use by the participants. Each participant is responsible for his own garments and for acquiring the necessary items (i.e.; detergent, fabric softener, etc.). The participants are also responsible for the good use and care of the laundry equipment.

Check list.

The following is a list of necessary items when attending the ILEA San Salvador programs:

  1. Valid passport.
  2. Airfare ticket.
  3. Visa (if required for your country).
  4. All required forms dully completed and signed.
  5. Full dress uniform or formal attire (suit and tie, for gentlemen and dress for ladies).
  6. Sportswear including running shoes.
  7. Swim wear (optional).
  8. Casual clothing (for use outside the classroom).