The primary function of the Certification Division is to ensure
compliance, by agencies and peace officers, of qualifications and training requirements
enumerated in the P.O.S.T. Act and to bring action against those
agencies and officers in noncompliance. Other major responsibilities include:
Certification of Peace Officers
All employees of any agency that are granted the full rights and powers
under the definition of a peace officer as defined by the P.O.S.T. Act must be certified by P.O.S.T.
Peace officer applicants must complete ALL
pre-employment requirements before employment. Once the pre-employment
requirements are met, a POSTFORM 2 is issued.
Basic Certifications issued by the Council include:
 | Basic Law Enforcement
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| G.B.I. Investigator
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| Sheriff
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| Communications Officer
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| G.B.I. Narcotics Agent
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| Correctional Officer
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| Probation Officer
|
| Parole Officer
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| Registered (Grandfathered)
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| Forensic Scientist (G.B.I.)
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| Juvenile Correctional Officer
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P.O.S.T. Council also issues Specialty Certifications to officers and
other agency staff. Specialty certifications issued by P.O.S.T. include:
| RADAR
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| LASER
|
| VASCAR
|
| Field Training Officer
|
| Identification Technician
|
| Chaplain
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| Departmental Training Officer
|
| Jailor
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| Instructors
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| Career Development Certifications
|
| Arson Investigator
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| Senior Deputy
|
Each Specialty Certification has established certification and training
requirements that must be met. Some Specialty Certifications have recertification
requirements that must be completed to maintain certification in that area.
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
Question: Do I need to retain the services of an attorney ?
Answer: 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.
Question: Is the Georgia P.O.S.T. Council represented by an attorney ?
Answer: Yes. As an entity of State Government P.O.S.T is represented by a staff member of
the Georgia Attorney General's Office.
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