Chapter 20. Rules Relating to Compulsory Minimum Training Standards for Law-Enforcement Officers
6VAC20-20-10. 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, or agency head of a state or local law-enforcement agency.
"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 approved by the Committee on Training and the minimum training hours approved by the Criminal Justice Services Board.
"Curriculum Review Committee" or "CRC" means the committee consisting of nine individuals representing the certified criminal justice training academies. Four members of the committee shall represent regional criminal justice training academies, four members of the committee shall represent independent criminal justice training academies, and one member shall represent the Department of State Police Training Academy. The Committee on Training shall appoint 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.
"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.
"Requirements" means the core elements an officer needs to accomplish to obtain law-enforcement certification.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-1 § 1.0, eff. July 6, 1983; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-20-20. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-1 § 2.0, eff. July 6, 1983; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-20-21. Compulsory minimum training standards and requirements.
A. Pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 2 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 law-enforcement officers.
B. An individual hired as a law-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101 of the Code of Virginia shall comply with the following law-enforcement certification requirements:
1. Successfully complete law-enforcement basic training at a certified criminal justice training academy, which includes receiving a minimum of 480 hours of department approved training in the following categories:
a. Professionalism;
b. Legal;
c. Communication;
d. Patrol;
e. Investigations;
f. Defensive tactics and use of force;
g. Weapons; and
h. Driver training.
2. Successfully complete a minimum of 100 hours of approved training in the category of field training by meeting or exceeding the field training performance outcomes identified in the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Field Training and On the Job Training Performance Outcomes.
C. Law-enforcement officers become certified upon meeting all compulsory minimum training standards and other requirements that include documented completion of all performance outcomes, the law enforcement certification exam, and field training.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998; amended, Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 23, eff. August 18, 2010; Volume 29, Issue 22, eff. August 15, 2013; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-20-25. Approval authority.
A. The board shall be the approval authority for the training categories and hours of the compulsory minimum training standards identified in 6VAC20-20-21. Amendments to training categories and hours 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.
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 by 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 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 22, eff. January 1, 2010; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-20-30. Applicability.
A. A person employed as a full-time or part-time law-enforcement officer, as defined by § 9.1-101 of the Code of Virginia, after July 1, 1971, shall satisfactorily complete the compulsory minimum training standards and the requirements for law-enforcement officers as identified in 6VAC20-20-21 and 6VAC20-20-40.
B. The director may grant an exemption or partial exemption from the compulsory minimum training standards and the requirements set forth in 6VAC20-20-21 to a law-enforcement officer of a political subdivision of the Commonwealth who has had previous experience and training as provided in § 9.1-116 of the Code of Virginia.
C. A person not employed as a full-time or part-time law-enforcement officer on July 1, 1971, who remains out of law enforcement for more than 24 months, upon reappointment as a full-time or part-time law-enforcement officer, shall be required to comply with the compulsory minimum training standards and the requirements identified in 6VAC20-20-21 unless provided otherwise in accordance with subsection B of this section.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-1 § 3.0, eff. July 6, 1983; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-20-40. Time requirement for completion of training.
A. Law-enforcement officers required to comply with the requirements of 6VAC20-20-21 shall satisfactorily complete the requirements within 12 months of the date of hire or appointment as a law-enforcement officer.
B. The director, or the director's designee, may grant an extension of the time limit for completion of the compulsory minimum training standards and other 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 the 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:
1. Failing to pass compulsory minimum training standards and requirements within specified time limits.
2. Failing the certification examination.
F. The agency administrator may request an extension from the director or the director's designee.
1. The request shall be in writing and include written documentation articulating the reason the individual is unable to complete the required training within the specified time limits.
2. The request shall be submitted to the department before the expiration of the specified time limits.
G. Law-enforcement officers who do not satisfactorily complete compulsory minimum training standards, field training, and other requirements within 12 months of hire or appointment as a law-enforcement officer, 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.
H. 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 VR240-01-1 § 4.0, eff. July 6, 1983; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-20-50. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-1 § 5.0, eff. July 6, 1983; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998; Volume 29, Issue 22, eff. August 15, 2013; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-20-60. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-1 § 6.0, eff. July 6, 1983; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998.
6VAC20-20-61. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-20-70. Attendance, testing, and grading.
A. Attendance.
1. 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. If there is an emergency (e.g., natural disaster, catastrophic event, etc.) 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. Officers shall comply with the requirements of subdivision B 1 of 6VAC20-20-21.
2. Each officer shall meet all the training objectives and pass each criteria for testing related to every performance outcome approved by the COT.
3. An officer may be tested and retested within the time limits of 6VAC20-20-40 and in accordance with the certified criminal justice training academy's written policy.
C. Law-enforcement certification exam. Upon documented compliance with the compulsory minimum training standards identified in subdivision B 1 of 6VAC20-20-21 officers will be eligible to complete the law-enforcement certification exam.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-1 § 7.0, eff. July 6, 1983; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-20-80. 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. 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 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 of the individual and the department.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-1 § 8.0, eff. July 6, 1983; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-20-90. Administrative requirements.
A. The law-enforcement agency shall complete the department authorized field training completion form (Form B-13) documenting the completion of field training for officers.
B. Field training shall be completed in accordance with the requirements in 6VAC20-20-40. 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 VR240-01-1 § 9.0, eff. July 6, 1983; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-20-100. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-1 §§ 10.0 to 11.0, eff. July 6, 1983; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998.
6VAC20-20-120. Certification status and in-service training.
A. All 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. Officers 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.
6VAC20-20-130. Certified training academies.
Every criminal justice agency under the purview of the department shall be a member of 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 (6VAC20-20)
Field Training: Law Enforcement, B‑13, (rev. 5/2018)
Documents Incorporated by Reference (6VAC20-20)