Virginia Law

A. Pursuant to the provisions of subdivisions 7, 8, and 9 of § 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia, the department under the direction of the board establishes the compulsory minimum training standards for full-time and part-time deputy sheriffs and jail officers as defined in § 53.1-1 of the Code of Virginia; persons designated to provide courthouse and courtroom security pursuant to § 53.1-120 of the Code of Virginia; and persons designated to serve process pursuant to § 8.01-293 of the Code of Virginia.

B. Individuals hired as deputy sheriffs or jail officers as defined in § 53.1-1 of the Code of Virginia shall meet or exceed compulsory minimum training standards at a certified criminal justice training academy and complete field training requirements. Certification requires deputy sheriffs and jail officers comply with the following:

1. Successfully complete jail officer department approved training at a certified criminal justice training academy in the following categories:

a. Professionalism;

b. Legal;

c. Communication;

d. Jail operations;

e. Investigations;

f. Defensive tactics and use of force;

g. Weapons; and

h. Driver training and transportation.

2. Meet or exceed the performance outcomes in the category of field training identified in the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Field Training and On the Job Training Performance Outcomes.

C. Individuals hired as courthouse and courtroom security officers shall meet or exceed compulsory minimum training standards at a certified criminal justice training academy and complete field training requirements. Certification requires courthouse and courtroom security officers comply with the following:

1. Successfully complete courthouse and courtroom security officers department approved training at a certified criminal justice training academy in the following categories:

a. Professionalism;

b. Legal;

c. Communication;

d. Court security operations;

e. Investigations;

f. Defensive tactics and use of force;

g. Weapons; and

h. Driver training and transportation.

2. Meet or exceed the performance outcomes in the category of field training identified in the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Field Training and On the Job Training Performance Outcomes.

D. Individuals hired as deputy sheriffs and designated to serve process shall meet or exceed compulsory minimum training standards at a certified criminal justice training academy and complete field training requirements. Certification requires courthouse and courtroom security officers comply with the following:

1. Successfully complete process service officer department approved training at a certified criminal justice training academy in the following categories:

a. Professionalism;

b. Legal;

c. Communication;

d. Civil process operations;

e. Defensive tactics and use of force;

f. Weapons; and

g. Driver training.

2. Meet or exceed the performance outcomes in the category of field training identified in the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Field Training and On the Job Training Performance Outcomes.