Idaho Admin. Code r. 11.11.01.057

Current through September 2, 2024

Section 11.11.01.057 - REQUIREMENTS FOR BASIC CERTIFICATION

In addition to complying with the foregoing standards, each applicant for certification must also comply with the following requirements.

01.Agency Employment. Each applicant must be an employee of an agency, as defined in these rules, in a position requiring POST certification, or be a member of POST professional staff.

02.Background Investigation. The employing agency must conduct a comprehensive background investigation of each applicant to ensure that he meets requirements for POST certification and employment in the law enforcement profession.

a. The applicant must complete a comprehensive application and personal history statement prior to a background investigation in aid of determining he is eligible for certification.

b. The applicant must be fingerprinted on a standard FBI Applicant fingerprint card and a search of local, state, and national fingerprint databases must be made to disclose any criminal record. The employing agency must retain originals of all records check results.

c. The employing agency must investigate the applicant's traffic records in each state in which he resided.

d. The background investigation must include information from personal references, schools, the applicant's last three (3) previous employers, and law enforcement agency or PSAP records in jurisdictions where the applicant has lived or worked.

e. The employing agency must interview each applicant to ascertain his suitability for the law enforcement profession. Interview topics must include use of intoxicants, controlled substances, physical, mental, and emotional history, family problems, moral outlook and habits, and the applicant's financial history.

f. An experienced investigator must conduct a thorough investigation into the applicant's reputation, integrity, honesty, dependability, qualifications, experience, associations, emotional stability, and respect for the law.

03.Physical Readiness Assessment. The employing agency shall require an assessment of an applicant's physical readiness to ensure he can perform physically demanding tasks and tests while attending a basic training academy or equivalent program. An applicant who fails a required physical test during an academy may be dismissed, but may attend a future academy and must pass a physical readiness test prior to certification.

04.Mental Readiness Assessment. Where there is a question as to whether the applicant may be subject to a mental or emotional disorder that calls his suitability for the law enforcement profession into question, the employing agency shall have a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist conduct a thorough evaluation to ensure he is capable of performing law enforcement duties.

05.Application. Each applicant must fill out a POST Application and submit it to the employing agency, which shall submit it to POST with all required documentation.

a. Upon review of an application, POST may inspect an agency's background investigation file to ensure it is accurate and complete. If a review indicates that information submitted to POST may be inaccurate, incomplete or falsified, the Division Administrator must inspect the agency's background investigation file.

b. If the application contains inaccuracies or omissions, the Division Administrator may require the agency to supplement the application, and may approve the application.

c. If the application contains evident falsifications, the Division Administrator shall reject the application.

06.Aptitude Test. An applicant shall complete an aptitude test to ensure he is capable of performing law enforcement duties.

07.Code of Ethics/Standards of Conduct. Each applicant shall attest that he will abide by the following Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, and that he understands violations thereof constitute grounds for decertification:

As a member of the law enforcement profession, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality and justice.

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or my agency. I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret, unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs, aspirations, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and the relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

I recognize the badge or position of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of law enforcement/public service. I will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by other law enforcement or emergency communications officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice.

I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my level of knowledge and competence. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God or have a sincere and unfaltering commitment to my chosen profession...law enforcement.

08.Time for Completing Basic Training Academy or Alternative Training, Field Training and Probationary Period.

a. Except as otherwise provided in these rules, every person attending a basic training academy must complete that academy, a minimum of 40 hours of field training and six consecutive months of probation in that discipline with that hiring agency within twelve months of beginning employment in order to be certified.

b. Emergency communications officers attending a basic training academy must complete that academy, and six consecutive months of probation in that discipline with that hiring agency within eighteen (18) months of beginning employment in order to be certified.

c. Any person who does not become certified in the relevant discipline within three (3) years of graduating from a basic training academy or POST certified equivalent program must repeat that entire academy or program in order to become certified.

d. Every person seeking certification through the POST challenge process must complete that process within one year of beginning employment with an agency.

Idaho Admin. Code r. 11.11.01.057

Effective March 31, 2022