Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 125-2-1-.06 - Training

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through April 4, 2022

(1) Employees of the Department of Corrections shall be required to participate in applicable training programs designed to foster and improve individual competence, increase operational effectiveness, and achieve established correction goals.

(a) Wardens/Superintendents and Deputy Wardens/Superintendents will be encouraged to participate in scheduled Department of Corrections training programs and/or other training courses designated by the Department of Corrections to improve their management and operational skills.

(b) All new Correctional Officers shall be required sixty (60) days following employment to enter the Basic Correctional Officer Training Course conducted by or under the auspices of the Department of Corrections.

(c) Other departmental personnel shall be required to complete applicable specialized training programs, such as Fire Safety, Food Service, Records Management, Counseling, etc., as scheduled and conducted by or under the auspices of the Department of Corrections.

(d) All state institutions that do not have a Tactical Squad shall maintain a Correctional Emergency Response Team. Correctional Emergency Response Teams members shall be required to successfully complete specialized riot and disturbance control training and periodic refresher training in these skills. Such training shall be approved and coordinated by the Department of Corrections Staff Training Section. Institutions having previously organized tactical squads will be exempt from this rule.

(e) Selected personnel shall be required to undergo specified training as designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections from time to time.

(f) Employees shall be encouraged to broaden their understanding of existing and proposed offender rehabilitation programs and methods through use of the institutional library resources and other educational facilities.

(2) All employees of the Department of Corrections and employees of County Correctional Institutions who are authorized to exercise power of arrest shall successfully complete the program of required training mandated by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council and any required annual in-service training. Any employee authorized to carry firearms shall re-qualify biennially with all types of firearms authorized and assigned. Only those employees who are authorized to carry a weapon will be required to complete such biennial re-qualification. Employees who may be required to use other control items such as tear gas, riot batons, and other control weapons, shall be appropriately familiarized with their use.

(a) Certification of Correctional Officers.

1. Within sixty (60) days of initial employment, a correctional officer must be entered in the Basic Correctional Officer Training Course.

2. The Basic Correctional Officer Training course shall, at a minimum, meet the requirements established by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council and shall be conducted by the Georgia Corrections Academy.

3. The Director of the Training Academy or his successor shall submit verification to the Director of Personnel in the Department of Corrections that the state employee has met the training requirements mandated by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Act.

4. The Director of Training shall submit verification to the Warden of the respective county correctional institution that the county employee has met the training requirements mandated by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Act.

5. A correctional officer who fails to complete satisfactorily the basic training course shall be dismissed.

6. A correctional officer who has not successfully completed the basic training course shall not be assigned to any post involving direct contact with inmates, except to receive on-the-job training supervised by a trained employee. Neither shall a correctional officer who has not successfully completed the basic training course be assigned any duties which require the exercise of police officer power, including but not limited to exercising the power of arrest.

7. An employee who has not been certified by the Director of Training as having qualified with firearms shall not be issued a firearm or authorized to carry one by the Department.

8. Any applicant who has a domestic violence conviction may not be hired as a sworn officer requiring Peace Office Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certification. Any current P.O.S.T.-certified employee who is convicted of domestic violence may not possess any firearms or ammunition and may be subject to disciplinary action to include termination.

(b) Certification of Probation Officers.

1. Probation Officers must complete the Basic Probation Officer

Training course within (12) twelve months of date of hire.

2. The Basic Probation Officer Training course shall at a minimum, meet the requirements established by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council and shall be conducted by the Georgia Corrections Academy.

3. The Director of Training shall submit verification to the Director of personnel in the Department of Corrections that the state employee has met the training requirements mandated by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Act.

4. An employee who has not successfully completed the basic training course shall not be assigned any duties which require the exercise of police officer powers, including but not limited to exercising the power of arrest.

5. A probation officer must successfully complete the Department firearms training course and have authorization in writing from the Division Director prior to carrying a weapon in the performance of duties.

6. A list of probation officers and surveillance officers certified to carry firearms shall be maintained and provided to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. (3) Department personnel who instruct in courses mandated by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council shall be certified by the Council. Department personnel who instruct in courses conducted by the Department of Corrections on a regular basis shall be certified as having successfully completed a department approved instructor training program.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 125-2-1-.06

Ga. Constitution 1983, Art. XI, Sec. I, Par. (b); O.C.G.A. Secs. 35-8-2, 42-2-11, 42-5-53, 42-5-55, 42-10-2.

Rule entitled "Training", f. as Rule 415-2-1-.06 on Nov. 14, 1984; eff. December 4, 1984, renumbered as Rule 125-2-1-.06. F. June 28, 1985, eff. July 20, 1985, as specified by the Agency. Amended: F. Jan. 2, 1990; eff. Jan. 22, 1990. Amended: F. Jan. 9, 1997; eff. Jan. 29, 1997. Amended: F. Nov. 6, 1998; eff. Nov. 26, 1998. Amended: F. July 23, 2001; eff. August 12, 2001.