Chapter 100. Rules Relating to Compulsory Minimum Training Standards for Correctional Officers of the Department of Corrections, Division of Adult Institutions
6VAC20-100-10. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Academy director" means the chief administrative officer of a certified criminal justice training academy.
"Agency administrator" means any chief of police, sheriff, agency head of a state or local law-enforcement agency, or the director of the Department of Corrections or his designee.
"Approved training" means training approved by the department to meet minimum training standards.
"Board" means the Criminal Justice Services Board.
"Certified criminal justice training academy" means a training facility or campus in compliance with academy certification or recertification standards and operated by the state or local unit of government that is owned, leased, rented, or used exclusively for the purpose training criminal justice professionals regulated by department and board. Approved firing ranges, driving tracks, and defensive tactics training rooms are considered part of the academy facility, subject to review during academy certification and recertification.
"Compulsory minimum training standards" means the written performance outcomes approved by the Committee on Training and the minimum training hours approved by the Criminal Justice Services Board.
"Committee on Training" or "COT" means the standing committee of the board that is charged with reviewing proposed changes to the standards, receiving and reviewing public comments, and approving changes to the standards as needed.
"Curriculum Review Committee" means the committee consisting of nine individuals representing the Department of Corrections. Two members of the committee shall represent the western region, two members shall represent the eastern region, two members shall represent the central region, and three members shall represent administration.
"Department" means the Department of Criminal Justice Services.
"Designee" means one who acts with the authority of the chief executive of the agency.
"Director" means the chief administrative officer of the department or the director's designee.
"External training location" means a training location approved by the department located away from the certified criminal justice training academy, which the certified criminal justice training academy uses to conduct mandated training using full-time and part-time academy staff with general instructorships.
"Satellite facility" means a temporary facility located away from the certified criminal justice training academy facility, which the certified academy uses exclusively to conduct in-service training.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-14 § 1, eff. January 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-100-20. Compulsory minimum training standards.
A. Pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 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 or part-time correctional officers of the Department of Corrections.
B. Individuals hired as correctional officers as defined in § 53.1-1 of the Code of Virginia shall meet or exceed the compulsory minimum training standards at a certified criminal justice training academy, external training location, or satellite facility and complete field training requirements. Correctional officers shall comply with the following:
1. Successfully complete basic correctional officer training at a certified criminal justice training academy, external training location, or satellite facility, which includes receiving a minimum of 400 hours of department approved training in the following categories:
a. Security and supervision;
b. Communication;
c. Safety;
d. Emergency response;
e. Conflict and crisis management;
f. Law and legal;
g. Duty assignments and responsibilities;
h. Professionalism;
i. Basic corrections officer firearms training; and
j. Physical fitness training.
2. Successfully complete a minimum of 200 hours of approved training in the category of field training identified in the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Field Training and On the Job Training Performance Outcomes.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-14 § 2, eff. January 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-100-25. Approval authority.
A. The board shall be the approval authority for the training categories and hours identified in 6VAC20-100-20 of the compulsory minimum training standards. Amendments to training categories shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
B. The Committee on Training (COT) shall be the approval authority for the performance outcomes, training objectives, criteria, and lesson plan guides that support the performance outcomes. Performance outcomes, training objectives, criteria, and lesson plan guides supporting the compulsory minimum training standards may be added, deleted, or amended by the COT based upon written recommendation of the director of the Department of Corrections, a chief of police, sheriff, agency administrator, academy director, or the Curriculum Review Committee.
C. Before approving changes to the performance outcomes, training objectives, criteria, or lesson plan guides, the COT shall schedule an opportunity for public comment during a meeting of the COT. A minimum of 60 days before the meeting of the COT, the proposed changes shall be distributed to all certified training academies for an opportunity to comment. Notice of changes to the performance outcomes, training objectives, criteria, and lesson plan guides shall be filed for publication in the Virginia Register of Regulations.
D. The department shall notify each certified criminal justice training academy in writing of any COT approved revisions. COT approved revisions require a minimum of 30 days' notice to certified criminal justice training academies prior to becoming effective.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-100-30. Applicability.
A. A person employed as a full-time or part-time correctional officer, in accordance with subdivision 9 of § 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia, shall meet the compulsory minimum training standards and requirements established in 6VAC20-100-20 and 6VAC20-100-40 unless provided otherwise in accordance with subsection B of this section.
B. The director may grant an exemption or partial exemption of the compulsory minimum training standards established in 6VAC20-100-20 and 6VAC20-100-40, in accordance with § 9.1-116 of the Code of Virginia.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-14 § 3, eff. January 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-100-40. Time requirement for completion of training.
A. Correctional officers who are required to comply with the compulsory minimum training standards, field training, and requirements shall satisfactorily complete such training within 12 months of the date of appointment unless provided otherwise in accordance with subsection B of this section.
B. The director may grant an extension of the time limit for completion of the compulsory minimum training standards and requirements for the following reasons:
1. Medical condition;
2. Injury;
3. Military service; or
4. Administrative leave involving the determination of worker's compensation or disability retirement issues or suspension pending investigation or adjudication of a crime.
C. The director may review and consider other reasons (e.g., natural disaster, family medical leave, etc.) for granting an extension. If approval is granted, the extension shall not exceed 90 days.
D. The director or director's designee may review and consider requests to renew training extensions if the reason for the original training extension continues and the request occurs before the expiration date of the original extension.
E. The director shall not grant an extension for failing to pass compulsory minimum training standards within the specified time limits.
F. Correctional officers who do not satisfactorily complete compulsory minimum training standards, field training, and other requirements within 12 months of hire or appointment as a correctional officer, or who do not receive an extension of the time limit for completion of requirements shall be subject to the provisions of § 9.1-115 of the Code of Virginia.
G. The department shall notify the agency administrator of individuals not in compliance with the requirements of this section.
H. Correctional officers who originally complied with all training requirements and later separated from correctional officer status for a period of 24 months or less, upon reentry as a correctional officer, will be required to complete in-service and firearms training requirements set forth in 6VAC20-30.
I. Correctional officers who originally complied with all training requirements and later separated from correctional officer status for a period greater than 24 months, upon reentry as a correctional officer, shall be required to complete all compulsory minimum training standards required for correctional officers as set forth in this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-14 § 4, eff. January 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-100-50. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-14 § 5, eff. January 1, 1988; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-100-60. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-14 § 6, eff. January 1, 1988; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-100-70. Attendance, requirements, testing, and grading.
A. Attendance.
1. Correctional officers attending approved training are required to attend all classes and shall not be placed on duty or on call except in cases of an emergency (e.g., natural disaster, etc.). In the event of such an emergency, the agency administrator or designee shall determine if it is appropriate to place officers on duty or on call and shall advise the academy director within 24 hours.
2. Correctional officers shall be responsible for any material missed during an excused absence.
B. Academy testing.
1. Correctional officers shall meet all the training objectives and pass all criteria for testing related to each performance outcome approved by the COT.
2. A correctional officer may be tested and retested within the time limits of 6VAC20-100-40 and in accordance with each certified criminal justice training academy's written policy. An officer shall not be certified as having complied with the compulsory minimum training standards unless all requirements have been met.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-14 § 7, eff. January 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-100-80. Failure to comply with rules and regulations.
A. Any individual attending a certified criminal justice training academy shall comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the department and board. The academy director shall be responsible for enforcement of all rules and regulations established to govern the conduct of attendees.
B. Any individual violating the rules and regulations governing the certified criminal justice training academy determined to be detrimental to the welfare of the certified criminal justice training academy or the safety of officers, visitors, or personnel may be expelled from the academy.
C. Notification of an expulsion will immediately be reported, in writing, to the agency administrator or designee and the department.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-14 § 8, eff. January 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-100-90. Administrative requirements.
A. Field training shall be completed in accordance with the requirements in 6VAC20-100-40. The superintendent or warden shall sign and submit the field training completion form for each officer to the department.
B. Records and documentation shall be open to audit, inspection, and review by the department upon request.
C. Training records shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the Virginia Public Records Act (§ 42.1-76 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-14 § 9, eff. January 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-100-100. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-14 § 10, eff. January 1, 1988; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-100-110. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-14 § 11, eff. January 1, 1988; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
Forms (6VAC20-100)
Field Training: Department of Corrections Basic Corrections Officer, DOC-1 (rev. 8/2018)
Documents Incorporated by Reference (6VAC20-100)