Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 501 - Law Enforcement Academy
Chapter 3 - Certification of Law Enforcement Officers
Rule 501-3.12 - Training of an Individual Who Intends to Become Certified as a Law Enforcement Officer

Universal Citation: IA Admin Code 501-3.12

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024

(1) An individual who has not yet been hired or started employment as an Iowa sworn peace officer may apply for attendance at the Iowa law enforcement academy (ILEA) or, if qualified as provided for in subrule 3.4(1), at a short course of study at an approved law enforcement training program if such individual is sponsored by an Iowa law enforcement agency.

a. The individual must submit an application packet approved and provided by the Iowa law enforcement academy at least 30 days in advance of the course of study that the person wants to attend. An administrative fee, to be established by the academy, shall accompany the application packet.

b. The sponsoring Iowa law enforcement agency must certify that the agency intends to hire the individual within the next 12 months.

c. The fees to attend the Iowa law enforcement academy will be collected as follows:
(1) 25 percent at the time position in class is reserved. (This fee is nonrefundable.)

(2) 25 percent on first day of the academy class.

(3) The remaining amount to reach full payment of all ILEA training fees must be received by the end of the fourth week or the individual will be dismissed from the academy.

d. The fees to attend a short course of study at an approved law enforcement training program will be collected as determined by that entity.

(2) Hiring standards. An individual who files an application under subrule 3.12(1) must meet all hiring standards as established by the academy in rules 501-2.1 (80B) and 501-2.2 (80B).

a. The sponsoring law enforcement agency may conduct required testing including medical/psychological/cognitive examinations, thorough background investigation and other matters as required by rules 501-2.1 (80B) and 501-2.2 (80B). The sponsoring law enforcement agency that conducts the required testing must certify that all hiring standards have been met and submit proof of the same as required by Iowa law enforcement academy administrative rules and on forms provided by the academy.

b. The academy shall conduct the required testing including medical/psychological/cognitive examinations, thorough background investigation and other matters as required by rules 501-2.1 (80B) and 501-2.2 (80B) if the sponsoring agency has not done so. The academy will establish fees for conducting the hiring standards requirements, including the background check, to be paid by the individual filing the application. The fees must be paid before the testing occurs.

(3) Application for a short course of study at an approved law enforcement training program. An individual applying for attendance at a short course of study at an approved law enforcement training program shall submit proof of successful completion of a two-year or four-year police science or criminal justice program at an accredited educational institution in this state as approved by the academy. The proof must include a letter from the registrar certifying the person's graduation and a certified transcript of courses taken and grades received. The proof must be submitted 30 days in advance of the course of study that the person wants to attend.

(4) Permission to attend. An individual shall not be granted permission to attend an approved law enforcement training program if such acceptance would result in the nonacceptance of another qualifying applicant who is a law enforcement officer.

(5) Certification.

a. The academy will not grant certification until an individual is employed by an Iowa law enforcement agency and has met required hiring standards and successfully completed certification testing.

b. An individual may be certified in the following areas only after being employed by an Iowa law enforcement agency:
(1) Iowa law enforcement emergency care provider.

(2) Implied consent.

(3) Standardized field sobriety testing.

(4) Firearms qualification with the hiring agency's weapon and ammunition.

Certification will be awarded in the above areas if the individual is employed by an Iowa law enforcement agency within the first 12 months following completion of the basic training course of study and when the following requirements are met. All individuals, once employed by an Iowa law enforcement agency, must undergo testing in the firearms qualifications with the hiring agency's weapon and ammunition at the direction of an instructor certified in firearms by the Iowa law enforcement academy. Documentation of this testing and scores must be submitted to the Iowa law enforcement academy. The individual will be certified upon successful completion of the firearms qualification and review of the testing results completed during training at the Iowa law enforcement academy or at a short course of study at an approved law enforcement training program.

(6) Employment within 12 months. The individual must be employed by an Iowa law enforcement agency within 12 months of completion of the course of study in order to receive certification. An individual shall not be certified under rule 501-3.12 (80B) if the individual is not employed by an Iowa law enforcement agency within 12 months of completion of the course of study.

This rule is intended to implement 2003 Iowa Acts, Senate Files 352 and 453.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Iowa may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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