Operations Division

Operations Division Staff

The Operations Division is responsible for the functions related to development, evaluation and management of peace officer training. Other major responsibilities include:

Curriculum development, modification and maintenance
Examination development and validation
Administration of required exams
Research and development
Processing of school, school director, and functions relating to instructor certification
Development of the Instructor Training Course

Special Operations of the Division

The Training Standards Division has additional responsibilities that ensure the peace officers of Georgia are receiving the highest quality and most up to date training that is available. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Continuous update of the Basic Law Enforcement Master Question Bank. There are approximately 3,000 questions in the question bank.
Continue to score and validate the POST Entrance Exam to guarantee compliance with E.E.O.C. guidelines and ensure that no adverse impact occurs with any protected classes of persons.
Process and review Basic Course Completion packages (50-60 yearly) to ensure compliance with POST rules and policy.
Process and review peace officers’ requests for waiver of the 20 hour annual training requirement.

Peace Officer Records

P.O.S.T.'s Data Communications Section maintains the following records on the P.O.S.T. computer system:

Personnel history
Training Records
Employment History
Officer Certifications
Officer Registrations
Revocations
Suspensions
Terminations
Training Courses
Agencies
Chief Executives
Advanced Certification Records
Sheriffs', Wardens' and Chiefs' Current Training Histories
Other Miscellaneous Records

P.O.S.T. maintains employment, certification and training records on over 153,000 officers. Of these, over half are actively employed in their field of certification.

Administrative Hearings

A Self Help Guide for Georgia's Peace Officers

Officers are entitled to challenge sanctions imposed by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. This page is intended to assist officers in this process by providing information relevant to an Administrative Hearing.

For Officers contesting sanctions or other issues related to their Peace Officer Certification, it is suggested and encouraged that knowledge in the following be attained:

Rules of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (Rule 464 published 1998 in the Office of the Secretary of State) Specifically Rule 464-8 as amended. (O.C.G.A. 35-8-7.1 and 35-8-7.2)

Rules of the Office of State Administrative Hearings ( Rule 616 published 1995 in the Office of the Secretary of State) O.C.G.A. 50-13 as amended ( The Georgia Administrative Procedure Act )

The P.O.S.T. Hearing Process

The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council has discretionary authority by law, to discipline peace officers. Disciplinary action is taken in the form of sanctions against an officer's peace officer certification. Action is based on the preponderance of evidence that conduct was exhibited which is deemed to be in violation of the Georgia P.O.S.T. Act (O.C.G.A. 35-8 as amended). Sanctions ranging from reprimands to revocation are imposed based on the severity of the offense. Due process is afforded those sanctioned through an administrative hearing.

Terms and Definitions:

Prehearing Conference:

A Prehearing Conference may be scheduled by the agency or by the presiding judge. These conferences are extremely important and occasionally contested issues are resolved as an alternative to litigation. Initial Decision Of Administrative Law Judge:

At the close of a formal hearing the Administrative Law Judge will normally render a decision within 30 days. When the decision of the Law Judge differs from the proposed action of P.O.S.T it is referred to as the Initial Decision.

Final Decision:

If the decision of the Administrative Law Judge is the same as the proposed action of P.O.S.T., the decision is Final, subject to appeal in Superior Court.

Final Agency Review:

When the decision of the Administrative Law Judge differs from the proposed action, A review of the Hearing Record is conducted by the Georgia P.O.S.T. Council. When this occurs, an officer and / or his legal representative is required to present his or her case to full Council for Final Action.

Frequent Questions

Do I need to retain the services of an attorney?

Whether or not you want an attorney to represent you is entirely up to you. You have the right to legal counsel, at your expense.

Is the Georgia P.O.S.T. Council represented by an attorney?

Yes. As an entity of State Government P.O.S.T is represented by a staff member of the Georgia Attorney General's Office.