The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is the world's oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. Training for Public Safety Telecommunicators, initial and continuing, is exceedingly important as they provide essential services to the public in an ever-expanding and rapidly changing public safety environment. The APCO Project 33 Agency Training Program Certification (ATPC) is a formal mechanism for public safety agencies to certify their training programs as meeting APCO American National Standards (ANS). Agencies applying for certification submit their curriculum, training materials, and supporting documentation to be checked for compliance. The primary objective of the Agency Training Program Certification is to advance the training and professional development of public safety communications officials through the certification of an agency's training program.

On November 4, 2019, the City of Allen expressed interest in pursuing APCO Project 33 Training Program Certification (P33) that was being offered as a full scholarship from the North Central Texas 9-1-1 District (NCT9-1-1).  The extensive standards attached identifies the minimum training requirements for both new and veteran Public Safety Telecommunicators and defines training in certain knowledge and skills for the Agency to provide to Telecommunicators.  After many months of diligent efforts during exceptionally challenging circumstances, notification was received on June 30, 2021, that the Allen Police Department Communications Center had completed the requirements for APCO Agency Training Program Certification. The City of Allen Public Safety Communications Center became part of the select group of 92 other international agencies to attain this prestigious classification and the fourth in Texas.  APCO recognized the 2021 ATPC Recipients at the APCO2021 Conference in San Antonio at the Food For Thought Luncheon that took place on Wednesday, August 18, 2021.