(a) Every applicant for employment as a peace officer, detention officer or correctional officer, within the State of Wyoming shall satisfy the following requirements before being employed unless exempt under subsection (d): - (i) Be a United States citizen;
- (iii) Be fingerprinted. Local, state, and national fingerprint files shall be searched to determine whether the applicant has a criminal record;
- (A) Fingerprint checks shall be no older than one (1) year from date of appointment; and
- (B) Copies of responses shall be sent to POST;
- (iv) Not have been convicted of any crime for which the applicant could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary;
- (v) Hold a high school diploma or evidence of an equivalent achievement;
- (A) Copies of proof shall be sent to POST;
- (vi) Be of good moral character. The hiring agency shall complete a background investigation;
- (A) A background investigation, including, but not limited to, the following shall be completed by the hiring agency before an applicant may be appointed:
- (I) Check for current drug and alcohol abuse;
- (II) Interview applicant's spouse or significant other;
- (III) Check personal references;
- (IV) Check employment history;
- (V) Check school records;
- (VI) Check military records;
- (VII) Check DCI & FBI fingerprint files to determine if applicant has a criminal record. (The check shall be made in every state where the applicant has resided.);
- (VIII) Check driving record;
- (IX) Check present and past employment references. (This should include a check with the applicant's immediate supervisor and other co-workers);
- (X) Check credit history; and
- (XI) Check Wyoming POST files and any other prior certification history files of other certifying or licensing agencies. (The check shall be made in every state where the applicant has been employed.)
- (vii) Be free of any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the applicant's performance of duty.
- (A) Emotional and mental conditions shall be evaluated by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist;
- (B) A licensed physician, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner shall certify that an applicant is physically able to perform the duties of the position;
- (viii) Pass an oral interview examination by the hiring agency
(b) In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection (a) above, an applicant shall be disqualified from employment if he has previously been decertified in Wyoming or another State.
(c) Every agency which appoints a peace officer, detention officer, dispatcher, or correctional officer in or for the State of Wyoming shall submit to the Commission an Employment Form within fifteen (15) days of the appointment in writing or by electronic filing. If the applicant meets the minimum employment standards, the director shall issue an appropriate certification or notify the employing agency of the current certification held by the officer within fifteen (15) days of receiving the Employment Form.
(d) An agency may appoint an applicant to a certified position without further investigation if: - (i) The agency has received certification from the Commission that the applicant holds current certification for the position;
- (ii) The agency has verified the applicant is employed in good standing by another law enforcement in Wyoming; and
- (iii) The agency submits to the Commission an Additional Agency Employment Form within fifteen (15) days of the appointment, in writing or by electronic filing, of a peace officer, detention officer, dispatcher, or correctional officer in or for the State of Wyoming.
(e) No person shall be employed or continued to be employed as a peace officer detention officer, or correctional officer while receiving benefits for total or partial disability pursuant to W.S. §§ 9-3-432, 9-3-611, or 15-5-308.
(f) The requirements set forth above shall be deemed minimum employment requirements and shall not preclude an employing agency from establishing additional employment requirements.