Chapter 60. Rules Relating to Compulsory Minimum Training Standards for Dispatchers
6VAC20-60-10. 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 non-law-enforcement head of a communications center.
"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 units of government that is owned, leased, rented, or used exclusively for the purpose of 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.
"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 minimum training hours approved by the Criminal Justice Services Board.
"Curriculum Review Committee" means the committee consisting of the following nine individuals: two members of the committee shall represent regional criminal justice training academies, two members of the committee shall represent independent criminal justice training academies, one member shall represent the Department of State Police Training Academy, and four experienced communications personnel shall represent emergency communication functions. 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.
"Dispatcher" means any person employed by or in any local or state government agency either full time or part time whose duties include the dispatching of law-enforcement personnel.
"Mandated training" means training that satisfies compulsory minimum training requirements (i.e., basic and in-service training).
"Satellite facility" means a temporary facility located away from the certified academy facility, which the certified criminal justice training academy uses exclusively to conduct in-service training.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-5 § 1, eff. July 5, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 11, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 28, Issue 12, eff. March 14, 2012; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-60-20. Compulsory minimum training standards.
A. Pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 10 of § 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia, the department under the direction of the board establishes the categories of training as listed in subsection B of this section as the compulsory minimum training standards for dispatchers whose duties include dispatching for law enforcement.
B. Individuals hired as dispatchers shall meet or exceed the compulsory minimum training standards in the following categories at a certified criminal justice training academy:
1. Communication;
2. Dispatcher judgment;
3. Legal; and
4. Professionalism.
C. Individuals hired as dispatchers shall meet or exceed the performance outcomes in the category of on-the-job 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 VR240-01-5 § 2, eff. July 5, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 11, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 28, Issue 12, eff. March 14, 2012; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-60-25. Approval authority.
A. The board shall be the approval authority for the training categories of the compulsory minimum training standards identified in 6VAC20-60-20. 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.
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, non-law-enforcement head of a communications center, or the Curriculum Review Committee (CRC).
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 18, Issue 11, eff. January 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 12, eff. March 14, 2012; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-60-30. Applicability.
A. Full-time or part-time dispatchers employed by or in any local or state government agency whose duties include the dispatching of law-enforcement personnel and who were hired on or after July 1, 1988, must meet compulsory minimum training standards and requirements as identified in 6VAC20-60-20 and 6VAC20-60-40 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 this chapter, in accordance with § 9.1-116 of the Code of Virginia.
C. Any dispatcher having previously and successfully completed the compulsory minimum training standards who resigns and is reappointed within 24 months from departure will not be required to complete the academy training class.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-5 § 3, eff. July 5, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 11, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-60-40. Time requirement for completion of training.
A. Dispatchers required to comply with the compulsory minimum training standards must satisfactorily complete the required training set forth in 6VAC20-60-20 within 24 months of the date of hire or appointment as a dispatcher, unless provided otherwise in accordance with subsection B of this section.
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 requirements for the following reasons:
1. Medical condition;
2. Injury;
3. Military service; or
4. Administrative leave involving the determination of workers' 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 failing to pass compulsory minimum training standards and requirements within specified time limits.
. 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.
3. Dispatchers who do not satisfactorily complete compulsory minimum training standards and on-the-job training within 24 months of appointment as a dispatcher and 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.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-5 § 4, eff. July 5, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 11, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-60-50. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-5 § 5, eff. July 5, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 11, eff. January 1, 2003; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-60-60. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-5 § 6,eff. July 5, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 11, eff. January 1, 2003; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-60-70. Attendance, testing, and grading.
A. Attendance.
1. Dispatchers 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 dispatchers on duty or on call and shall advise the academy director within 24 hours.
2. Dispatchers shall be responsible for any material missed during an excused absence.
B. Academy testing.
1. Dispatchers shall comply with the requirements of 6VAC20-60-20.
2. Each dispatcher shall meet all the training objectives and pass each criteria for testing related to every performance outcome approved by the COT.
3. A dispatcher may be tested and retested within the time limits of 6VAC20-60-40 and in accordance with the certified criminal justice training academy's written policy.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR240-01-5 § 7, eff. July 5, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 11, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-60-80. 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 dispatchers, visitors, or personnel may be expelled from the certified criminal justice training 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 VR240-01-5 § 8, eff. July 5, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 11, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-60-90. Administrative requirements.
A. The agency shall complete the department authorized on-the-job training completion form (Form D-1) documenting the completion of on-the-job training for dispatchers.
B. The agency administrator shall, within the time requirement set forth in subsection A of 6VAC20-60-40, sign and forward a properly executed on-the-job training form to the department for each dispatcher.
C. Records and documentation shall be open to audit, inspection, and review by the department upon request.
D. Dispatcher 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 VR240-01-5 § 9, eff. July 5, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 11, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2019.
6VAC20-60-95. 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.
6VAC20-60-100. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 11, eff. January 1, 2003; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 12, eff. March 14, 2012.
Forms (6VAC20-60)
On the Job Training Dispatchers, Form D-1 (rev. 5/2018)
Documents Incorporated by Reference (6VAC20-60)