to seek clarification from the issuing officer or that officer ’ s superior .
This agreement must be signed and notarized as a part of the basic law enforcement application .
Psychological Affidavits for Persons Seeking Certification
Over the years , there have been many cases where officers had problems in their jobs due to mental or emotional issues that were either not disclosed or were unknown at the time they submitted their application . Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) is a very real issue with many peace officers . Often when soldiers leave the military , they look for jobs in the field of law enforcement . By and large , these military heroes make fine peace officers . However , sometimes the stress of the job can cause problems that end up endangering an officer ’ s career or , even worse , someone ’ s life . Also , PTSD is not just confined to military personnel , individuals from all walks of life are susceptible .
Pursuant to this , POST Council thought it was important for all candidates being considered for a law enforcement position submit to a psychological evaluation . However , many physicians conducting physicals across the state have been hesitant to sign off on an applicant ’ s mental and emotional wellness because they did not specialize in that area of medicine . Each agency , or academy for preservice applicants , will be required to submit the POST psychological affidavit as a part of the basic mandate school application . This will take the evaluation out of the hands of a medical doctor and place it on a doctor trained to make these decisions .
POST took no stance on which psychological tests are to be taken . That determination is left up to the licensed psychiatrist or psychologist . Agencies and academies will be permitted to determine who would provide each officer ’ s evaluation . Once the evaluation is completed and signed by the doctor , then the agency or academy can complete the POST psychological affidavit portion of the candidate ’ s application .
1 . As part of this requirement , candidates must be found , after examination by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist , to be free from any emotional or mental conditions which might adversely affect his / her exercising the powers or duties of a peace officer ;
2 . Each agency must submit an affidavit acknowledging that a psychological evaluation to determine suitability as a law enforcement officer was conducted on each application for certification , on forms approved by Council ; or
3 . Each academy director must submit an affidavit acknowledging that a psychological evaluation to determine suitability as a law enforcement officer was conducted on each pre-service applicant for certification , on forms approved by Council .
Mandatory Physical Ability Testing Finally , beginning January 1 , 2021 , each candidate enrolled in a basic law enforcement course at any law enforcement academy in the state will be required to satisfactorily complete the Physical Ability Test ( PAT ) prior to starting the academy . POST worked hand-inhand with the Georgia Public Safety Training Center ( GPSTC ), and other agencies , to develop this test .
POST Executive Director Mike Ayers , along with GPSTC staff , travelled to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia , SC , to view their test and watch several students run the course . The PAT has been validated and approved by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and is now the POST approved PAT for all basic law enforcement candidates .
The test is basically a timed obstacle course ( See the map below ). The course is designed to be conducted in an area slightly larger than half of a basketball court
40 FALL . 2020