Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 501 - Law Enforcement Academy
Chapter 3 - Certification of Law Enforcement Officers
Rule 501-3.8 - Certification Through Examination
Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024
Law enforcement officers who have been certified in another state may, upon application to the director with council approval, take a competency test or tests to gain Iowa law enforcement officer certification, adhering to all requirements set out in Iowa Code section 80B.11F, as well as any additional requirements set out by the academy. Successful completion of the required test or tests will result in certification by the council. The test or tests will be prepared and administered by the academy or its designee, and the passing score will be determined by the academy. The required test or tests will be based upon the officer's prior law enforcement training and experience as follows:
(1) Five or more years of law enforcement experience. Officers with more than five years of full-time law enforcement experience, to include federal law enforcement time, will be required to pass a test or tests which will primarily measure the officer's knowledge of Iowa laws. The test or tests will include, but need not be limited to, such topics as criminal law, motor vehicle law, juvenile law, law of arrest, law of search and seizure, and law regarding the use of force.
(2) Less than five years of law enforcement experience. Officers with less than five years of full-time law enforcement experience will be required to pass a comprehensive test or tests which will focus on all phases of law enforcement. The test or tests will include, but need not to be limited to, such topics as criminal law, juvenile law, motor vehicle law, law of arrest, law of search and seizure, law regarding the use of force, confessions and admissions, crime prevention, community relations, minority relations, crime scene investigation, vehicle stops, and rules of evidence.
(3) Tabulating previous law enforcement experience. In tabulating whether an officer has met the law enforcement experience requirement, no credit will be given for experience received from the officer's current employment.
(4) Criteria to be eligible to certify through examination. The following will be prerequisites for certification through examination:
(5) Application and testing periods. Application for certification through examination shall be made within 120 days of the applicant's hiring date, unless a determination is made by the academy council that this time period should be extended for "good cause." Failure to make timely application for certification through examination may result in the applicant's being required to attend a certifying academy.
(6) Retesting requirements. Failure to successfully complete this examination will require retesting within 60 days in the areas failed. If any area is failed a second time, it will be necessary for the individual to attend and satisfactorily complete training at the academy covering those areas of deficiency. Successful completion of the training will result in law enforcement officer certification by the academy council.
(7) One year's absence from law enforcement shall require training. An officer who has not served as a regular law enforcement officer during the 12-month period preceding the officer's hiring date will be required to attend a certifying school.
