Operations
Division
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
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| Examination development and validation
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| Administration of required exams
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| Research and development
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Processing of school, school director, and functions relating
to instructor certification
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| Development of the Instructor Training Course
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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.
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| 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.
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| Process and review Basic Course Completion packages (50-60
yearly) to ensure compliance with POST rules and policy.
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| Process and review peace officers’ requests for waiver of
the 20 hour annual training requirement.
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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
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| Training Records
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| Employment History
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| Officer Certifications
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| Officer Registrations
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| Revocations
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| Suspensions
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| Terminations
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| Training Courses
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| Agencies
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| Chief Executives
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| Advanced Certification Records
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| Sheriffs', Wardens' and Chiefs' Current Training Histories
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| Other Miscellaneous Records
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P.O.S.T. maintains employment, certification and training records on over
82,000 officers. Of these, over half are actively employed in their field of
certification.
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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