Chapter 50. Rules Relating to Compulsory Minimum Training Standards for Jailors or Custodial Officers, Courthouse and Courtroom Security Officers and Process Service Officers
6VAC20-50-10. 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 agency head of a local correctional facility as defined in § 53.1-1 of the Code of Virginia.
"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 operated by the state or local units of government that is owned, leased, rented, or used exclusively for the purpose of training criminal justice professionals regulated by the 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.
"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.
"Compulsory minimum training standards" means the written performance outcomes, training objectives, criteria for testing, and lesson plan guides approved by the Committee on Training and the minimum training hours approved by the board.
"Curriculum Review Committee" or "CRC" means a committee consisting of nine individuals representing the conduct of entry-level jailor or custodial officer, courthouse and courtroom security officer, and process service officer training. The composition of the committee shall be three representatives of sheriffs' offices, three representatives of regional jails, and three representatives from criminal justice training academies. The Committee on Training shall appoint the members of the Curriculum Review Committee.
"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.
"Requirements" means the core elements a jail officer, deputy sheriff, court security officer, or civil process officer needs to accomplish to obtain department certification.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-4 § 1, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1990; Volume 23, Issue 9, eff. July 1, 2007; Volume 28, Issue 24, eff. September 13, 2012; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-50-20. Compulsory minimum training standards.
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.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-4 § 2, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1990; Volume 23, Issue 9, eff. July 1, 2007; Volume 28, Issue 24, eff. September 13, 2012; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-50-21. Approval authority.
A. The board shall be the approval authority for the training categories of the compulsory minimum training standards identified in 6VAC20-50-20. Amendments to the 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 shall be the approval authority for the performance outcomes, training objectives, criteria, and lesson plan guides that support the performance outcomes.
1. 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 on written recommendation of a chief of police, sheriff, agency administrator, academy director, Curriculum Review Committee (CRC), interested party, or member of the community.
2. Suggestions received related to performance outcomes, training objectives, criteria, and lesson plan guides shall be reviewed at the regularly scheduled meeting of the CRC. The CRC shall present recommendations for revisions to the COT.
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 criminal justice training academies for the 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 23, Issue 9, eff. July 1, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 22, eff. January 1, 2010; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-50-30. Applicability.
A. A person employed as a sheriff deputy or jail officer as defined in § 53.1-1 of the Code of Virginia and in accordance with subdivision 9 of § 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia shall meet compulsory minimum training standards and requirements established in subsection B of 6VAC20-50-20 and 6VAC20-50-40 unless provided otherwise in accordance with subsection D of this section.
B. Every person employed as a courthouse and courtroom security officer in accordance with subdivision 7 of § 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia shall meet compulsory minimum training standards established in subsection C of 6VAC20-50-20 and 6VAC20-50-40 unless provided otherwise in accordance with subsection D of this section.
C. Every person employed as a deputy sheriff designated to serve process in accordance with § 15.2-1612.1 of the Code of Virginia shall meet compulsory minimum training standards established in subsection D of 6VAC20-50-20 and 6VAC20-50-40 unless provided otherwise in accordance with subsection D of this section.
D. The director may grant an exemption or partial exemption of the compulsory minimum training standards established in this chapter, in accordance with § 9.1-116 of the Code of Virginia.
E. Deputy sheriffs, jail officers, courthouse and courtroom security officers, and deputy sheriffs designated to serve process who originally complied with all applicable training requirements and later separated from deputy sheriff, jail officer, courthouse and courtroom security officer, and deputy sheriff designated to serve process status in excess of 24 months, upon reentry as a deputy sheriff, jail officer, courthouse and courtroom security officer, or deputy sheriff designated to serve process will be required to complete all compulsory minimum training standards in accordance with 6VAC20-50-20 unless provided otherwise in accordance with subsection D of this section.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-4 § 3, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1990; Volume 23, Issue 9, eff. July 1, 2007; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-50-40. Time requirement for completion of training.
A. Deputy sheriffs, jail officers, courthouse and courtroom security officers, and deputy sheriffs designated to serve process who are required to comply with the compulsory minimum training standards, field training, and other requirements shall satisfactorily complete such training within 12 months of the date of appointment or hire as deputy sheriffs, jail officers, courthouse and courtroom security officers, and deputy sheriffs designated to serve process unless provided otherwise in accordance with subsection B of this section.
B. The director or director's designee 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 or director's designee 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 the 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 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. Deputy sheriffs, jail officers, courthouse and courtroom security officers, and deputy sheriffs designated to serve process who do not satisfactorily complete the compulsory minimum training standards, field training, and other requirements within 12 months of hire or appointment as a deputy sheriff, jail officer, courthouse and courtroom security officer, or deputy sheriff designated to serve process, or who do not receive an extension of the time limit for completion of the 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.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-4 § 4, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1990; Volume 23, Issue 9, eff. July 1, 2007; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-50-50. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-4 § 5, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1990; Volume 23, Issue 9, eff. July 1, 2007; Errata, 23:11 VA.R. 1893 February 5, 2007; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-50-60. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-4 § 6, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1990; Volume 23, Issue 9, eff. July 1, 2007; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-50-70. Attendance, testing, and grading.
A. Attendance.
1. Deputy sheriffs, jail officers, courthouse and courtroom security officers, and deputy sheriffs designated to serve process attending approved training are required to attend all classes and shall not be placed on duty or on call except in cases of 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. Officers shall be responsible for any material missed during an excused absence.
B. Academy testing.
1. Deputy sheriffs, jail officers, courthouse and courtroom security officers, and deputy sheriffs designated to serve process shall meet all the training objectives and pass all criteria for testing related to each performance outcome approved by the COT.
2. The officer may be tested and retested within the time limits of 6VAC20-50-40 A and 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 VR240-01-4 § 7, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1990; Volume 23, Issue 9, eff. July 1, 2007; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-50-80. Failure to comply with rules and regulations.
A. Individuals attending a certified criminal justice training academy shall comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the department. The academy director shall be responsible for enforcement of all rules and regulations established to govern the conduct of attendees.
B. Individuals violating the rules and regulations governing the certified criminal justice training academy determined to be detrimental to the welfare of the academy or the safety of officers, visitors, or personnel may be expelled. Notification of an expulsion will immediately be reported, in writing, to the agency administrator of the individual and the department.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-4 § 8, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1990; Volume 23, Issue 9, eff. July 1, 2007; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-50-90. Administrative requirements.
A. Field training shall be completed in accordance with the requirements in 6VAC20-50-40. The agency shall complete the appropriate department authorized field training completion form (Form J-1, Form CS-1, or Form CP-1) documenting the completion of field training for officers.
B. The agency administrator shall sign and submit the field training completion form to the department for each officer.
C. Records and documentation shall be open to audit, inspection, and review by the department upon request.
D. 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 VR240-01-4 § 9, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1990; Volume 23, Issue 9, eff. July 1, 2007; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-50-100. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-4 § 10, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1990; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 9, eff. July 1, 2007.
6VAC20-50-110. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 9, eff. July 1, 2007; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 24, eff. September 13, 2012.
6VAC20-50-120. Certification status and in-service training.
A. Full-time and part-time law-enforcement officers of a police department or sheriff's office that is part of or administered by the Commonwealth or any political division, law-enforcement officers as defined in § 9.1-101 of the Code of Virginia, and all jail officers as defined in § 53.1-1 of the Code of Virginia must be certified through the successful completion of training at a certified criminal justice training academy in order to remain eligible for appointment or employment.
B. Deputy sheriffs, jail officers, courthouse and courtroom security officers, and deputy sheriffs designated to serve process shall comply with in-service training and firearms training requirements identified in 6VAC20-30.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-50-130. Certified training academies.
Every criminal justice agency under the purview of the department shall be a member or a certified criminal justice training academy.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
Forms (6VAC20-50)
Field Training: Jail Deputy and Jail Officer, J-1, (rev. 5/2018)
Field Training: Court Security Officer, CS-1, (rev. 5/2018)
Field Training: Civil Process Officers, CP-1, (rev. 5/2018)
Documents Incorporated by Reference (6VAC20-50)