Police agencies are constantly working to enhance the quality of their officers , hold them accountable to established standards , and provide the resources needed to improve the quality of their lives . In an effort to support these goals , the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training ( POST ) Council recently approved several revisions to the POST Rules .
First , there were several minor rule modifications :
• Retired Law Enforcement Credentials - brought the verbiage in the rule in line with recent changes in state legislation ;
• POST Pre-Investigative Consent Orders ( PICOs ) – requires the order to go into effect as soon as it is signed by the POST Executive Director and the POST Council Chairman . Previously , there was a 30-day waiting period .
• Voluntary Surrendering of POST Certification - when an officer surrenders a certification , it will be treated as a revocation and can only be reinstated through the petitioning of Council for reinstatement .
In addition , there were three Rule changes that will significantly affect the process required of candidates submitting basic law enforcement applications to attend the academy . These include a Code of Conduct Agreement , Psychological Assessment , and Physical Ability Testing .
Code of Conduct Agreements Any officer receiving a basic certification after January 1 , 2021 , must submit a notarized Officer Code of Conduct Agreement on forms approved by Council . This form states the officer understands and acknowledges that certain serious offenses can cause their certification to be sanctioned , by POST , up to and including revocation .
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These offenses are as follows :
1 . A conviction , plea of guilty , plea of no contest or admission of guilt ( regardless of withheld adjudication ) to a felony , a crime punishable by a sentence of more than one year , or a crime of moral turpitude in this or any other jurisdiction ; 2 . Unlawful use of a controlled substance ; 3 . The use of excessive or unwarranted force in dealing with the public and / or prisoners ;
4 . Dangerous or unsafe practices involving firearms or their security , weapons , or vehicles which indicate either a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property ;
5 . Physical or psychological abuse of members of the public or prisoners ; 6 . Any act of domestic violence ; 7 . Misrepresentation of employment-related information ; 8 . Willfully making a false , misleading , incomplete , deceitful or incorrect statement ( s ) to a law enforcement officer , agency , or representative , except when required by departmental policy or by the laws of this state ;
9 . Willfully making a false , misleading , incomplete , deceitful , or incorrect statement ( s ) to any court of competent jurisdiction , or to their staff members , whether under oath or not ;
10 . Willfully providing a false , misleading , incomplete , deceitful , or incorrect information on a document , record , report , or form , except when required by departmental policy or the laws of this state ;
11 . Willfully cheating or aiding another in cheating on any required testing procedures conducted in the scope of one ’ s official duties . Note : No superior officer appointed over you has the authority to compel you to cheat or authorize you to cheat and as such , this is not a valid defense ;
12 . Willfully obeying the direction of a superior officer who has issued an apparent unlawful command or order . When uncertain as to the legitimacy or legality of the command it is incumbent upon me
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