Q | Who is the DCJS Field Coordinator for the southwest region? |
| A | - Elizabeth White, 540-910-1354 or elizabeth.white@dcjs.virginia.gov |
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| Q | How often do I have to attend instructor re-certification class? |
| A | - You must attend instructor re-certification every three years. Instructors are required to instruct at least 8 hours during the three year period to remain eligible to be an academy instructor. |
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| Q | How often do I have to attend in-service class? |
| A | - You must attend in-service every two years. Law enforcement in-service requires 40 hours of training, jail in-service requires 24 hours of training, and court security/civil process in-service requires 16 hours of training. |
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| Q | What will happen if I do not complete in-service training by my due date? |
| A | - If you do not complete training by your due date or receive an extension prior to the due date you shall be subject to Virginia Code Section 9.1-115. |
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| Q | What should I do if I cannot complete my in-service training by the due date? |
| A | - Your agency administrator must request an extension on your certification before the certification expires. This request must be sent to your DCJS Field Coordinator. |
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| Q | What should I do if I let my instructor certification expire? |
| A | - You must first attend an instructor re-certification class, then you must complete an apprenticeship of a minimum of four hours under a certified instructor. After you have taken the re-certification class and completed the apprenticeship, you must complete an instructor re-certification form and mail it to the Department of Criminal Justice Services. |
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| Q | If I have completed training in one function of law enforcement (i.e. jail, law enforcement, court security/civil process) and want to complete training in another function do I have to attend the entire basic school? |
| A | - Your agency administrator may request an exemption through the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Exemption request forms may be obtained from your Academy or your DCJS Field Coordinator. After receiving an approved exemption from DCJS, you should forward a copy to your Academy. |
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| Q | What is the proper procedure to get my certification updated if I have been out of the law enforcement profession and want to get back into the field? |
| A | - You must be hired by a law enforcement agency. The agency administrator must request an exemption through the Department of Criminal Justice Services, and then DCJS will inform you, your agency, and your Academy of the requirements for certification. |
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| Q | How can I get in-service credit for a class I attend that is not taught at the Academy? |
| A | - You must request a PIC-3 (Partial In-Service Credit) form from the agency/course coordinator that is conducting the DCJS pre-approved training. If the class has not been pre-approved by DCJS, you need to take a PIC-1 form with you to the training and have the instructor sign and attach a copy of the curriculum to the PIC-1 form and forward the PIC form to your DCJS Field Coordinator for approval. |
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| Q | Do I still get credit for class if I have to leave early for court or other circumstances? |
| A | - No, students only receive credit for the hours attended. |
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| Q | How can I find out more about training requirements? |
| A | - Contact DCJS at http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/ and look up the Criminal Justice Training Reference Manual or contact your training Academy. |
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| Q | After I have initially been hired by a law enforcement agency, how long do I have to complete training? |
| A | - You have twelve months from your date of appointment to complete entry-level training for law enforcement, jail, court security/civil process and dispatch. In addition to basic school, law enforcement personnel must complete field training and submit the proper paperwork to the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Effective July 1, 2001, officers seeking certification will also be required to pass a state certification test. |
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| Q | What time do classes start at the Academy? |
| A | - Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. unless otherwise noted on the announcement. |
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| Q | What is the dress code at the Academy? |
| A | - Basic students will receive a packet of information after registration regarding dress requirements. Dress code for in-service and specialty training will be casual attire (no t-shirts, shirts must have a collar) unless otherwise specified. |
