The following is an updated Training and Standards Commission Report submitted by Our NCLEWA Representative, Sergeant Sam Hersey, ( Gaston County Police Department ) .
The Executive Committee
The Department of Justice was facing the possibility of a 7% decrease in next year's budget. To compensate for the loss of funds, the Attorney General has proposed initiating a new $2.00 court fee to support the operations and meet the staffing requirements of the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission. The Commission supported the increase.
Two new positions were added. One to the Criminal Justice Standards staff and one for the Sheriff’s Standards Division. These two positions is for a Processing Assistant. Jenny Little and Kim Pulley processes certifications, they process approximately 10,000 plus a year.
A report from the Standards Division staff about compliance for mandatory 2008 In-service training. The staff had received 98% of the F-9’s (Mandated In-service compliance report). 281 officers failed to complete the 2008 in-service training. Total of 66 officers have been suspended for failing to comply with the commissions mandated 24 hours of in-service. The staff issued a total of 130 waivers including 69 medical and 61 for military service. A total of 28 officers who received waivers for return-to-duty, who have completed in-service training.
Update of Justice Academy
Peggy Schaefer stated that they Justice Academy has a new online Learning Management System. This is where some in-service classes are offered online. They still have some issues but are working them out.
A reminder that the Western Campus is building a new Firearms Range and they are looking at additional funding for an indoor range.
Mark Strickland has been promoted and will be the Training Manager over in-service, BLET and instructor training. Janet Dunn was hired by the Academy to assist with in-service training.
A new Police Chief’s course has been implemented. The Academy delivered more than 182 different commission courses in 2008.
The academy trained more than 2,200 students, sold more than 18,000 commission notebooks, DVD’s and videos and sold more than 12,000 Sheriff’s commission items from the bookstore in 2008.
Education and Training
The committee approved a new school accreditation request from the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office. A renewal for accreditation from Stanley Community College.
Objectives for the 2010 in-service training were reviewed and approved by the members of the in-service training subcommittee.
In November 2006 the commission adopted a tenth grade standard for reading. The commission’s legal counsel is looking at using the TABE instrument as the sole reading comprehension instrument.
The Joint Driving Subcommittee has met and are considering the possibility of offering high speed pursuit training in BLET. However, some community college representatives currently provide sufficient training for officers.
The new Explosives & Hazardous Materials Instructor Training course was complete and is scheduled to be piloted May 3-14 2009.
Planning & Standards
A look at recruitment and retention. Four different surveys were given to 7 different departments. These surveys targeted officers recently hired, officers that have been with the agency from 3 to 5 years. If an agency had a policy in place to assist with retention. The report was drafted and the committee created a “white paper” and it will be presented at the next commission meeting to the entire commission.
The NCJA developed a lesson plan on Emotional Intelligence with the assistance of Sheriff Van Duncan from Buncombe County. Sheriff Duncan attended the May meeting and presented the material to the Planning & Standards committee.
The new Department of Justice website is up and running. It is more user friendly. This website offers information concerning (1) officer certifications and BLET requirements, (2) BLET webpage and the Justice Academy’s job bank.
Probable Cause Committee
In February the committee reviewed 18 cases. In 6 cases the committee found probable cause. In 12 cases the committee found not probable cause. A lot of cases involved unintentional material misrepresentation. The committee has been receiving a lot of cases where an officer has failed to notify the commission of criminal charges or convictions.
As a result the Planning Committee has voted to change the wording on question 47 of the F-3 Personal History Statement form.
The next meeting is August 27th.