Need some help from those of you working in POST states

[Lon]

Ohio isn’t a POST state. We aren’t “licensed” as police officers. I’m interested in finding out how other states handle licensure of police officers and how that license can be revoked/suspended. If you’re from a POST state and can direct me to the relevant portions of your laws that deal with that I’d be grateful. It will save me a bunch of time.

[jd950]

Ohio isn’t a POST state. We aren’t “licensed” as police officers. I’m interested in finding out how other states handle certification of police officers and how that license can be revoked/suspended. If you’re from a POST state and can direct me to the relevant portions of your laws that deal with that I’d be grateful. It will save me a bunch of time.

I fear you may find that not many folks will want to take the time to research and provide a list of relevant statutes for their state, especially since in many cases there is not a single statute, but several, which often cite to various administrative rules and codes. Most cops don't memorize the statutory cites for certification laws and these aren't usually criminal law statutes. If you were looking at moving to a specific state and wanted to know about that state, then someone would probably help, but for general research, you will probably need to do your own homework.

A google search for (state) and POST or (state) and peace officer certification will probably get you to the relevant state agency and in turn that site will likely cite the appropriate statutes. For example, I just typed in Arizona POST and the first hit was the Arizona POST website containing FAQS and links to rules and statutes.

[jnc36rcpd]

For Maryland, start with MDLE.net.

[Lon]

For Maryland, start with MDLE.net.

That’s kind of what I was looking for. Thank you.

[jlw]

gapost.org

If an officer is fired, resigned in lieu of termination, resigned while under investigation, or is suspended for more than 30 days, agencies must report it to POST which then begins an investigation. POST only has authority over an officer's certification. It has no other disciplinary powers, but, hopefully obviously, if an officer's certification is suspended or revoked, the officer can't work in a LE capacity. Being arrested also triggers an investigation. Officers are required to self-report if they get arrested. Failure to do so has repercussions.

Also, GA has annual training requirements. When training is completed, it is entered into the "data gateway". Any officer who has not met their annual training requirements is automatically suspended at 0001 on 1/1.

Other than those who have seats on the POST Council via specified positions, such as being president of the Sheriffs' Association, the governor appoints the members of the POST Council. They have a disciplinary committee that hears the cases.

POST encourages agencies to complete internal investigations even if the employee resigns.

I will admit that as a former agency exec, I sometimes gave personnel the option to resign free and clear immediately prior to beginning an internal; however, once I started the process. that option was no longer available. Resignations have no appeal.

[Le Français]

In Maine, the Maine Criminal Justice Academy is the certifying body for all state, county, and local LEOs. See the links below, and surrounding sections of the law, for details.

https://legislature.maine.gov/statut...sec2803-A.html

https://legislature.maine.gov/statut...sec2806-A.html

[Lon]

gapost.org

Awesome info. Thanks!!

[Chuck Whitlock]

For Texas:

https://www.tcole.texas.gov/

[idahojess]

Here is the general certification statute for Washington. The standards got much more heavy in the last two years.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.101.095

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.101.105

There are a few statutes in the same chapter you can click through.

CJTC is the agency that administers:

https://cjtc.wa.gov/certification/ce...on-information

[Lon]

For Maryland, start with MDLE.net.

gapost.org

If an officer is fired, resigned in lieu of termination, resigned while under investigation, or is suspended for more than 30 days, agencies must report it to POST which then begins an investigation. POST only has authority over an officer's certification. It has no other disciplinary powers, but, hopefully obviously, if an officer's certification is suspended or revoked, the officer can't work in a LE capacity. Being arrested also triggers an investigation. Officers are required to self-report if they get arrested. Failure to do so has repercussions.

Also, GA has annual training requirements. When training is completed, it is entered into the "data gateway". Any officer who has not met their annual training requirements is automatically suspended at 0001 on 1/1.

Other than those who have seats on the POST Council via specified positions, such as being president of the Sheriffs' Association, the governor appoints the members of the POST Council. They have a disciplinary committee that hears the cases.

POST encourages agencies to complete internal investigations even if the employee resigns.

I will admit that as a former agency exec, I sometimes gave personnel the option to resign free and clear immediately prior to beginning an internal; however, once I started the process. that option was no longer available. Resignations have no appeal.

In Maine, the Maine Criminal Justice Academy is the certifying body for all state, county, and local LEOs. See the links below, and surrounding sections of the law, for details.

https://legislature.maine.gov/statut...sec2803-A.html

https://legislature.maine.gov/statut...sec2806-A.html

For Texas:

https://www.tcole.texas.gov/

Here is the general certification statute for Washington. The standards got much more heavy in the last two years.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.101.095

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.101.105

There are a few statutes in the same chapter you can click through.

CJTC is the agency that administers:

https://cjtc.wa.gov/certification/ce...on-information

Thanks for all that info. Spent several hours last night looking through the info. What problems have you witnessed with the respective laws in your states? What parts work or what parts need fixed? Are you in favor or opposed to the process in your state?

Why am I interested? I think Ohio needs to go this route and I’m trying to set up a meeting with some lawmakers to talk about it. Although we aren’t POST, there are some requirements that prevent people from being cops who have certain convictions and the law requires the termination of cops for most of the same convictions if they happen after the cop starts working. But what is missed are the non-criminal issues like Giglio/Brady issues, excessive force that doesn’t lead to charges, etc. You can’t just go to one area in Ohio law to find this stuff. You’ve got to look at a million different places.

My biggest hurdle is gonna be the FOP. How does the process in your state work, in real life, to make sure cops have due process during these revocation hearings? I’m torn between thinking having the POST commission handle the appeals of these or having a court of law handle them. Thoughts?