Basic Law Enforcement Program CJK 0007 Kevin R. Duffy, M.A.Ed. Introduction to Law Enforcement

At a glance Officer Training Program Overview Criminal Justice Ethics and Values Criminal Justice System and Components Chain of Command

Officer Training Program Overview Objectives: Requirements for completion of the Basic Recruit Program The role of the CJSTC Requirements for certification Reasons that the CJSTC may take action against certification CJSTC penalty options

Who is a Law Enforcement Officer?

FS (1) Person elected, appointed or employed by any municipality or the state or political subdivision who is vested with the authority to bear arms and make arrests, and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime or the enforcement of laws of the state. …includes full time, part time and auxiliary officers but not support personnel.

Who is a Law Enforcement Officer? City Police Officer? Sheriff’s Deputy? Highway Patrol Trooper? Motor Carrier Compliance Officer? State Attorney Investigator? Animal Control Officer? Dispatcher?

Levels of Laws and Rules Florida Statutes: Passed by the legislature Effective until changed by the legislature Two-years is fast Florida Administrative Code: Rules of procedure Rulemaking vested in various entities Easy to adjust and change CJSTC can make rules Police officers are governed by FAC Rules

To Pass and Graduate Passing score on EACH of the end-of-course exams Demonstrate proficiency in DUI Traffic Stops, Vehicle Operations, First Aid, Firearms and Defensive Tactics Participate in the Physical Fitness Program

Testing Rules 80% minimum passing score ONE free retest allowed with permission from the Director Must request a retest in writing in memo form Must be approved by Director Mercer prior to the retest If no retest is available, course must be repeated No exceptions

Testing Rules High Liability treated separately from other courses Requires proficiency as well as written test Must pass both May retest on any/all skills, but counts as a free retest If a student passes skills but fails the written test, he/she may retest on the written test If a student retests on one or more skills and then fails the written test, he/she must repeat the course

CJSTC Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission Oversees certification, employment, training and conduct of Florida law enforcement, corrections and correctional probation officers Meets quarterly around the state Ensure that the citizens of Florida are served by the most qualified, well trained, competent and ethical criminal justice officers in the nation.

CJSTC Membership Nineteen members Attorney General or designee (Bill McCollum) Secretary of the Department of Corrections (Walter A. McNeil) Director of the Division of Florida Highway Patrol (Colonel John T. Czernis) 16 Members appointed by the Governor Three sheriffs Three police chiefs Five law enforcement officers Two correctional officers One training center director One county corrections administrator One state resident

CJSTC Responsibilities Defined in Minimum standards for employment Establish and maintain officer training programs Certify officers Review and administer sanctions when necessary Promulgate rules as needed Conduct studies and publish results Keep records Develop, maintain and administer the State Officer Certification Exam (SOCE)

CJSTC Responsibilities Criminal Justice Professionalism Program (CJPP) Statutorily created within FDLE to assist the commission

Officer Certification Governed by , setting minimum requirements 19 yoa Citizen of US High School Graduate or equivalent Not convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement, regardless of adjudication No dishonorable discharge

Officer Certification Processed fingerprints on file with employing agency Passed a physical prescribed by FDLE Good moral character determined by agency background investigation under CJSTC procedures Affidavit attesting to compliance Pass recruit training Pass SOCE

Certification Process Enter recruit school, passing all applicable requirements Pass recruit school Pass SOCE Considered for hire by an agency Pass physical Pass background Assemble all applicable paperwork Hired by agency FDLE Field Representative reviews file, certifies individual

Timing is Everything To become certified, recruit must become certitied within four years of the start date of the academy Meet minimum requirements Complete the training Pass the SOCE Become actively employed full time or part time Simply completing the academy and passing the SOCE does not constitute certification

CJSTC and Discipline CJSTC has the authority to discipline a certificate Reasons for action: No contest or guilty of a felony No contest of guilty of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement Fail to maintain good moral character Commits an act constituting a felony, regardless of prosecution Commits any act of any of a specified group of serious misdemeanors, regardless of prosecution

CJSTC and Discipline Reasons for Action Commits an act that would have been a felony if committed or completed Commits an act in any jurisdiction other than Florida that would have been a felony or specified serious misdemeanor if committed in Florida Test positive for controlled substances Found guilty of excessive use of force under color of authority Engage in sexual harassment involving physical contact or mistuse of official position Misused official position

CJSTC and Discipline Reasons for Action Sex on duty Unprofessional relationships with inmate False statements during the hiring process (includes application) Conduct that subverts or attempts to subvert the officer examination process Sonduct that subverts or attempts to subvert the training exam process or an agency promotional exam More at FAC Rule 11B-27

CJSTC and Discipline Set guidelines for certain offenses Penalties Written reprimand Probation up to two years, with or without mandatory retraining Suspension up to two years, with or without mandatory retraining Revocation

Consequences If you are disciplined Becomes part of your FDLE record, available to all LE agencies Reason for discipline is recorded as public record Future employment is doubtful Employment outside the state is doubtful

CJSTC and Academies CJSTC monitors and regulates academies Regular inspections Responds to complaints and issues Academies respond to the needs of the commission Goal is to provide the best to the community, the state and the officers

Questions?