Approved applicants to SAV attend a six week academy encompassing 96 hours of classroom and field instruction.  Academy sessions occur twice per year, generally in winter and fall. Classes meet Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - noon. Classroom topics include SAV organization and functions; crime prevention, traffic control; emergency management; CPR/AED; defensive driving; patrol procedures; interviews and report writing; and communications. Over the six weeks, students incrementally learn the system of law enforcement radio codes and procedures. Upon graduation, SAV members work with field training officers in "on-the-job" training sessions to gain experience with patrol procedures.