Last updated: December 2025

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Cancellation & Refund Policy | Participation Policy | Transfer Policy | Student Code of Conduct | AI Use Policy

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Applies to: All IACA training formats (for Annual Conference policies, please see the Conference page)

Payment Deadlines

In-Person Classes: Payment must be received 10 business days prior to the first day of class. This is a firm requirement due to venue and material preparation needs.

12-week Online Classes: While we prefer payment 10 business days in advance, we understand that agency payment processes can be slow. You may register and confirm your enrollment with us, then submit payment after the class has started. However:

• You must communicate with us at [email protected] to confirm your enrollment if payment will be delayed.
• Registrations totaling over $1,000 must be paid in advance
• We cannot award CEUs or certificates until payment is received.

Webinars: Payment can be submitted after the webinar occurs. However, CEUs will not be awarded until payment is received.

How to Cancel Your Registration

Student cancellations or withdrawals from class must be received by the Training Series Coordinator via email at [email protected] 15 business days prior to the first day of class to receive a refund. We are happy to be flexible with you as long as you communicate with us!

Late Cancellations

If a cancellation or withdrawal occurs within the 15-day period, class tuition will not be refunded to a student/agency and cannot be applied to future IACA classes. Exceptions to this cancellation policy can only be made by the Training Director on a case-by-case basis.

After Class Has Started

Once a class has started, refunds will not be given. However, you may transfer to a later session or different topic at the discretion of the Training Director and depending on seating availability in the target class. Please note that you cannot transfer to a later class and then request a refund on the basis that the new class hasn't started yet.

Substitutions

Training substitutions can be made of another student from the same agency, but written notification must be made to the Training Coordinator via email at [email protected]. If the second student is a non-member, you will owe the difference in price.

Webinar Cancellations

We do not issue refunds for missed webinars; however, you may be eligible for a webinar credit if the webinar will not be available for later viewing on the IACA website. If you need to cancel a webinar, please email [email protected]—if you cancel through the Zoom invitation, we will not be notified.

Participation Policy

Applies to: 12-week online classes only

What "Participation" Means

Active participation in 12-week online classes means:

• Logging into Moodle regularly, and
• Progressing through weekly content and submitting coursework according to the schedule (even if imperfect)

Non-Participation & Removal

Students who show prolonged inactivity may be removed. Examples include extended periods with no coursework submissions and/or no meaningful Moodle activity despite reminders. Removal decisions may be made without further notice if the pattern indicates the student is not participating. 

This applies even if you've already paid for the class.

Late Work Policy

All instructors are willing to be flexible when it comes to turning in your work late, with one important caveat: You CANNOT save all your submissions until the last week of class and turn it in all at once. It is impossible for an instructor to grade an entire class worth of work for multiple students at the same time. If you attempt a bulk submission at the end of the course, the instructor will reject it.

Please communicate with your instructor if you're falling behind. They want to help you succeed!

Consequences of Non-Participation

If you fail to participate in any class without notification, your registration fee will not be refunded.

Transfer Policy

Applies to: 12-week online classes only

Overview

We understand that life happens and students may not be able to finish a class due to work demands, family emergencies, health issues, or other circumstances. If you're unable to complete your current session, you may be eligible to transfer to a future session of the same course.

How to Request a Transfer

Students seeking to transfer must directly request this by emailing [email protected] with:

• Your name and the course you're currently enrolled in
• The reason for your transfer request
• Your preferred quarter for the transfer (e.g., "January-March 2026")
• Any extenuating circumstances (family emergency, medical issues, etc.)

Note: Assumptions or indirect requests won't be processed. You must explicitly request the transfer via email.

When to Request a Transfer

Transfer requests should be submitted as soon as you realize you cannot complete the course. While we accept transfer requests at any point during the 12 weeks, requests made earlier (Weeks 1-8) are more likely to be accommodated. Requests made during Weeks 9-12 will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Transfer Eligibility

Transfers are allowed only for the same course topic. Any topic change will be treated as a new registration and require full payment, although exceptions may be granted by the Training Director for extenuating circumstances.

When requesting a transfer, students must specify the desired quarter, but please note that placements aren't guaranteed due to potential class capacity limits. However, we strive to accommodate schedules whenever possible.

Transfer Fee Structure

Each class can be attempted up to four times. The fee structure is as follows:

Fee Waivers

In circumstances such as family emergencies, serious medical issues, or other significant life events, transfer fees may be waived at the discretion of the Training Director. Please provide documentation or explanation when requesting a fee waiver. If we agree to waive the fee, it does still count toward your total number of attempts allowed.

Your Coursework During a Transfer

Students must independently save and resubmit their work from the original class, as Moodle data resets each quarter. This means:

• Download or save any assignments, discussions posts, or projects you want to keep
• You will need to resubmit work in the new session, just as you would if it was "new" work
• Your instructor will give you credit for previously completed work
• You must engage from day one of the new session (no waiting until whatever point you dropped out)

Losing Transfer Privileges

If a student fails to participate during a transfer (i.e., you transfer to a new session but then don't participate), your transfer privileges are forfeited. You will be required to pay the full registration fee for any future attempts of this course.

Student Code of Conduct

Applies to: All IACA training formats

Our Commitment

The International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for all adult continuing education students in the law enforcement field. To achieve this goal, we have established the following Student Code of Conduct Policy to outline expected behavior, foster professionalism, and ensure a positive experience for all participants.

Expected Behavior

All students are expected to adhere to the following guidelines while participating in IACA classes, whether in person or online:

1. Respectful Language

Profane, abusive, or obscene language directed towards another student, instructor, or IACA staff is strictly prohibited. It is essential to maintain a respectful and professional tone in all communications.

2. Harassment and Bullying

Students must refrain from engaging in aggressive or belligerent messages, harassment, or bullying, whether in written or verbal form. All forms of harassment, including but not limited to harassment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, will not be tolerated.

3. Professionalism

All interactions with other students, instructors, and IACA staff should be on-topic and related to crime analysis, the class curriculum, or matters relevant to the IACA community.

While crime analysis coursework may involve discussions of sensitive topics (such as policing practices, racial disparities in crime data, or controversial cases), these discussions must remain professional, evidence-based, and focused on analytical methods rather than personal political opinions.

Discussions on topics where opinions vary widely and can elicit strong emotional responses—such as partisan politics or religion—are not appropriate within this educational setting and should not be the focus of class discussions.

4. Respect for Diverse Opinions

We encourage open dialogue and diverse perspectives within the bounds of respect and professionalism. If someone holds a different opinion than you, please maintain civility and move on without engaging in confrontational or disruptive behavior. Focus on the analytical methods and evidence, not on "winning" an argument.

5. Academic Integrity

Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. This includes:

• Submitting your own original work
• Properly citing sources when using external information or data
• Not sharing assignment answers or solutions with other students
• Not copying work from other students or previous course participants
• Following the AI Use Policy (detailed below)
• Not plagiarizing from any source, including websites, publications, or AI-generated content

Violations of academic integrity, including plagiarism or cheating, will be treated as serious offenses and may result in a failing grade for the assignment or removal from the course without a refund.

Warning System

The IACA uses a graduated response system for Student Code of Conduct violations:

• Minor violations (e.g., getting off-topic, mildly unprofessional tone) may receive a verbal or written warning from the instructor
• Moderate violations (e.g., disrespectful language, ignoring warnings) may result in temporary suspension from class discussions or activities
• Serious violations (e.g., harassment, discriminatory language, repeated violations) will result in immediate removal from the class without a refund

Instructors have discretion to determine the severity of violations and appropriate responses. Decisions made by instructors can be appealed to the Training Director. 

Consequences for Violations

Violations of this Student Code of Conduct Policy may result in the following consequences:

Removal from the Class: Individuals found to be in violation of this policy may be immediately removed from the class without a refund of the registration fee.

Ban from Future IACA Classes: Depending on the severity and recurrence of the violation, a ban from future IACA classes may be imposed at the discretion of the IACA Training Director.

Reporting Violations

If a student witnesses or experiences behavior that violates this Student Code of Conduct, they are encouraged to report it as soon as possible to:

• Your class instructor (contact information available in Moodle)
• The IACA Training Committee at [email protected]

Please include screenshots or details when possible. Reports will be handled discreetly and confidentially, with appropriate action taken to address the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy

Applies to: 12-week online classes (instructors may apply similar standards to other formats)

Policy Overview

The IACA maintains a strict policy regarding the use of AI in coursework. As an adult learner advancing your career or an aspiring crime analyst, the educational process is designed to develop your critical thinking, analytical writing, and professional communication skills. Over-reliance on AI for writing undermines this educational process and your personal development.

Prohibited Uses of AI

You may NOT use AI to generate written text for:

• Essays and written assignments
• Discussion forum posts
• Analytical reports
• Reflections or responses to prompts
• Any other written coursework

Permitted Uses of AI

You MAY use AI tools for creative or supplemental purposes, such as:

• Generating fake names or data for a link chart assignment
• Creating sample datasets for practice exercises
• Brainstorming ideas (but you must write the actual content yourself)
• Checking grammar or spelling (but not rewriting entire passages)
• Translating content for personal understanding

The key distinction is that AI should enhance your learning without replacing the core skills being developed: analytical thinking and professional communication.

How We Detect AI Use

Instructors are trained to recognize AI-generated content through patterns in writing style, tone, and content. Additionally, instructors may use AI detection tools when they suspect a violation.

Consequences for Violations

First Offense: Any student caught using AI for written text will receive a grade of 0 on that assignment and a formal warning.

Second Offense: Repeated violations of this policy will result in expulsion from the course without a refund and may impact your ability to enroll in future IACA courses.