Annual report FY 2010

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Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council
Executive Director's Message
The Honorable Sonny Perdue, Governor Members of the Georgia General Assembly Citizens of the State of Georgia
Irespectfully submit the Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Report of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
The Council is committed to being recognized as a leader in the law enforcement community. This leadership is being accomplished through the various initiatives that P.O.S.T. has implemented.
The P.O.S.T. Operations Division is responsible for providing administrative support with various projects and special services. Some of the projects that are currently in the works are:
Implementation of the Equivalency of Training Examination Continuing progress made in the update of our computer legacy system Upgrade of the POST website, with increased functionality
In FY10, the Certification and Training Division included but were not limited to:
Assisted with the reassignment of the training waiver requests to the Training Standards Committee of Council to create more efficiency in processing these requests.
Discontinued the issuance of registrations for Federal Officers due to HB218 which allows the officer to obtain a qualification certificate to carry a firearm. This measure eliminated a duplication of efforts in issuing two certificates for the same purpose.
Presented the design phase of the new software to several academies and agencies in an effort to obtain feedback regarding design, implementation, and other aspects of the software.
P.O.S.T. has also made great strides in the investigation process. The Investigations Division currently has nine investigators serving regions throughout the State. During this period, the division processed a total caseload of 1,527 cases, and completed 1,277 investigations.
I am proud of Georgia P.O.S.T. Council's accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2010. It is my desire that as you read this report you will see that we are committed to the law enforcement community and to the citizens of Georgia. We look to the future with excitement, knowing that there are many goals yet to be realized.
Respectfully Yours, Ken Vance, Executive Director

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MISSION
It is the mission of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.) to provide the citizens of Georgia with qualified, professionally trained, ethical and competent peace officer and criminal justice professionals.
The Georgia P.O.S.T. Council administers the regulatory process, sets the standards for training and certification, and provides essential technical assistance to the law
VISION
P.O.S.T. envisions a professionally trained and ethical criminal justice profession. This is accomplished by:
Establishing and implementing high standards, developing and facilitating contemporary training curricula and programs.
Holding criminal justice professionals to a higher standard. Providing the citizens of Georgia with the best protection in the
nation.

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Georgia P.O.S.T. Council
The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.) was established in 1970 by the Georgia General Assembly as a regulatory body. The composition of the Council, its power, and function is established in Title 35 Chapter 8 of the Official Code of Georgia, Annotated. The Council consists of nineteen voting members and is supported by an advisory board. The voting members include:

Sheriff Mike Yeager, Chairman Chief Roy Whitehead, Vice-Chairman Sgt. Dolly Johnson- Secretary
Mayor Margaret Evans Commissioner Tom McMichael Sheriff Mike Jolley Commissioner James R. Williams Jr. Lt. Steve Hyman Chief Bryan Golden Mayor Bill Trapnell Inspector Garry Moore Mr. Don Banks Chief Stacey Cotton
Warden Carl Humphrey
Sheriff Logan Marshall Lt. Col. Homer Bryson Director Michael Nail Asst. Comm. Derrick Schofield
Colonel Bill Hitchens

A Peace Officer
Chief of Police
A Municipal Police Officer Other than a Chief of Police
A City Manager or Mayor
A County Commissioner
A County Sheriff
Association County Commissioners of Ga. or Designee A Municipal Police Officer other than a Chief of Police A Peace Officer
President of the Georgia Municipal Association Or Desingee Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or Designee Member other than the Attorney General
President of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police
President of the Georgia Prison Wardens' Association President of the Georgia Sheriffs' Association
President of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia The Chairman of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles or Designee The Commissioner of Corrections or Designee
The C3ommissioner of the Department of
Public Safety

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Georgia P.O.S.T. Council Advisory Members
The advisory members are appointed by the Council Chairman, and it is their responsibility to serve in an advisory capacity and represent a cross section of the criminal justice system. The advisory members are:

Honorable Burke DayLegislative
Director J. Dale MannState Officer
Executive Director Frank V. RotondoAssociation Director
Executive Vice President Terry NorrisAssociation Director
Mr. Ronnie LaneJuvenile Correction Officer
Dr. Archie RaineyAcademician
Chief Jimmy WilliamsonCampus Police
Marshal Steve SmithMarshal
Lt. Colonel Homer BrysonState Officer/DNR
Investigator Cliff TacketInvestigator

Chairman of the House Public Safety Committee Georgia Public Safety Training Center Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Georgia Sheriffs' Association Department of Juvenile Justice Columbus State University University of Georgia Police Department Richmond County Marshal's Office Georgia Department of Natural Resources Georgia Internal Affairs Investigators Association

Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council
Sheriff Mike Yeager, Chairman Chief Roy Whitehead, Vice-Chairman
Sgt. Dolly Johnson, Secretary

Training Standards Committee:
Bill Hitchens, Chairman Mike Jolley, Vice-Chairman
Margaret Evans Steve Hyman Billy Trapnell James (Bubba) Williams Carl Humphrey
Advisory Members:
Rep. Burke Day Dale Mann Steve Smith Terry Norris

Probable Cause Committee:
Michael Nail, Chairman Dolly Johnson, ViceChairman Mike Yeager Roy Whitehead Bryan Golden

Executive Committee:
Mike Yeager, Chairman Roy Whitehead, Vice-
Chairman Dolly Johnson, Secretary
Michael Nail, PCC Bill Hitchens, Training Stds.
Tom McMichael, Cert.

Certification Committee:
Tom McMichael, Chairman Homer Bryson, ViceChairman Don Banks Garry Moore Stacey Cotton Marshall Logan Gale Buckner
Advisory Members:
Frank Rotondo Archie Rainey Ronnie Lane Jimmy Williamson Cliff Tackett

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Georgia P.O.S.T. Council Staff Executive Director
The Council's rules and policies are executed by a professional and clerical staff, which operates under the supervision of the Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the administration of a statewide program involving over 57,000 officers actively employed by over 900 agencies.
Appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue as Executive Director of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, August 15, 2007 - Present
Georgia College & State University, Director of Public Safety/University Police Chief, October 1, 1982 August 15, 2007
City of Milledgeville- Councilman, 1981 - Present Baldwin County Board of Education, High School English Teacher, 1980-1985 Baldwin County Sheriff's Department, Deputy Sheriff, 1976-1982 Monroe Police Department, Peace Officer, 1975-1976 Peace Officer Standards & Training Council-Executive Board- Chairman & Vice-Chairman:
Probable Cause Committee-Chairman State of Georgia Municipal Training Institute-Chairman, 8 years State of Georgia E-911 Board Georgia Municipal Association Board of Directors University of Arkansas, Master of Fine Arts Georgia College, Bachelor of Arts Young Harris College, Associate of Arts Degree

Budget Administor NeeNah Yarbrough

Georgia P.O.S.T. Council
Executive Director Ken Vance

Executive Assistant Wendy Izenour

Director of P.O.S.T. Investigations Brad Pope

Denise Hudson Administrative
Assistant
Julie Lewandowski District 1
Willie Evans District 2

Leevan Kirk District 7
Robert Fuller District 8

Bonnie Bargeron District 3
James McCue District 4
Carl Ellis District 5
Vacant District 6

Nora Byars Corrections
Tommy Keheley Part Time Investigator
Marilyn Wiseman Pre-Invest P/T

Director of P.O.S.T. Training & Certifications Mitch Jones

Lois Mitchell Certifications
Specialist

Doug Fleming Operations Analyst

Diane Gaddis Certifications
Specialist
Lena Weaver Certifications
Specialist

Liz Chadell Receptionist
Correction Certifications Specialist(3)

Director of P.O.S.T. Operations Ryan Powell

Wayne Melton Administrative
Hearings

Lara Hollister Operations
Analyst

Neal Lewis Systems Admin.

Vacant Programmer

Azra Keeling Records Custodian

as of 06-30-10

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Purpose
The purpose of the Georgia P.O.S.T. Council is to ensure that only qualified and well-trained persons are certified as peace officers in this state. In order to attain the goals, the Council has been given the statutory authority to enforce those qualifications and training requirements enumerated by laws to:
Research, plan, and establish policy relative to peace officer training Develop, adopt, and issue advanced or professional peace officer certificates based on education,
training, and experience Determine whether a peace officer candidate has met legal pre-employment and training requirements Refuse to grant a certificate or to discipline certified peace offices and exempt officers who have not
met or have failed to maintain the minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing practices of peace officers Provide technical assistance as requested by law enforcement units Provide and administer the certification of persons qualified to operate speed detection devices and withdraw and suspend such certifications Establish minimum qualifications for school directors and certify those qualified Certify instructors and withdraw or suspend such certifications Establish and modify the curriculum, including methods of instruction, composing the basic course Evaluate schools annually for recertification Withdraw or suspend certification of schools or school directors who fail to continue to meet or maintain, at any given time, the criteria and qualifications required Enforce those qualifications and training requirements enumerated by laws Ensure standards are maintained by peace officers Take corrective action against officers who violate standards Develop and adopt quality training for all peace officers
The staff of the Georgia P.O.S.T. Council consists of the Executive Office and 3 divisions: Certification and Training Standards Division Investigations Division P.O.S.T. Operations

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Certification and Training Standards Division

The primary function of the Certification and Training Standards Division is to ensure compliance, by agencies and peace officers, of qualifications and training requirements enumerated in the P.O.S.T. Act. Some major responsibilities include:

Process applications for peace officer certification Issue of basic certification Certify speed detection device operators Provide technical assistance to agencies Processing of specialty certifications General and Specialty Instructors Certification

Division Reports: Agency rosters
Profile reports
Individual personnel and training histories
Radar rosters

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 certification requirements before employment. Once the preemployment requirements are met, an authorization for training (POST FORM 2) is issued.

Certifications issued by the Council include:

BASIC CERTIFICATIONS Basic Law Enforcement GBI Investigator Sheriff Communications Officer Narcotics Agent Correctional Officer Probation Officer Parole Officer Jail Officer Registered (Grandfathered) Forensic Scientst (GBI only) Basic Juvenile Correctional
Officer Municipal Probation Officer Communication Officer

SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS Radar Laser Vascar Field Training Officer Identification Technician Chaplain Departmental Training Officer General & Specialty Instructors Career Development Certifications Arson Investigator Bomb Technician Handler of Animal Trained to Detect
Explosives Senior and Master Instructor Trainer

Recognition of Law Enforcement Agencies
All agencies covered by the P.O.S.T. Act or those permitted to voluntarily comply with the Act can be recognized by P.O.S.T. Those requesting recognition must submit to P.O.S.T. a copy of the ordinance or law that established their authority as a law enforcement agency, along with a request for recognition from appointing authority. Once approved, the agency is supplied with an identification number and all paperwork necessary to conduct business with P.O.S.T.

Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training Council

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CERTIFICATION PROCESS

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Georgia P.O.S.T. Council Certification & Training Standards Division
Mitch Jones
Division Director

Anna Holland Offsite
Correctional Officer

Lena Avis Certification
Specialist
Jail Officer Certification
Communication Officer
Certification
SR. Deputy Certification

Diane Gaddis Certification
Specialist
Juvenile Correction
Officer
F.T.O/I.D. Tech D.T.O. & Arson
Certification
Generalized, Guest &
Specialzed Instructor Certifications & Chaplin Cert.
Senior & Master Instructor
Certification
Canine & Bomb Tech Certification

Lois Mitchell Certification
Specialist

Doug Fleming Program Analyst

Liz Chadell Receptionist

Peace Officer Certification
Narcotic Agent Certification
Sheriff Certification
G.B.I. Certification
Archive Records Liaison

Career Development Certification
H.R. 218 Firearms Requal. Cert.
Process 20-hour Training Waivers

Speed Detection Certification
C12 Processing

Medical Disability Suspension

CERTIFICATION STATISTICS

PEACE OFFICER STATISTICS
BASIC CERTIFICATIONS Peace Officer Chaplain Jail Officer Communication Officer Juvenile Correctional Officer State Correctional Officer Parole Officer Probation Officer GBI Agent
TOTAL BASIC
EXEMPT REGISTRATIONS Peace Officer (Retired) Federal Officer Jail Officer

2005

2006

2007

2008

1,679 20
973 350 490 404
13 67
3,996
6 17
3

1,690 13
1,335 405 522
2,486 64
142
6,657
1 8 0

1,896 20
1,359 347 483
1,744 48
118
6,015
0 33
0

2,275 15
1,872 400 514
2,086 38
111 42
7,353
7 19 0

2009
2,036 15
1,756 582 555
1,267 30
139
6,400
0 9 0

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2010
2,104 22
1,477 683 388
1,090 12
141
5,917
0 12
0

TOTAL BASIC EXEMPT
SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS Arson Investigator Field Training Officer Radar Operator Instructor I.D. Technician Laser Operator
CAREER DEVELOPMENT Intermediate Advanced Supervisory Management Executive Senior Instructor Trainer Master Instructor Trainer Senior Deputy Departmental Training Officer Bomb Techs. & Animal Handler Jail Training Officer (NEW) Comm. Training Officer (NEW)
TOTAL SPECIALTY CERT.

26

9

33

26

9

12

28 463 2,828 871
31 625
173 118
36 23
5 44
5 17
9 13
5,289

15 548 3,208 742
27 637
170 132
49 25 10 44
7 16 19
6 16 11
5,678

28 566 3,412 871
26 535
139 106
43 25
7 48
8 22 17
6 2 37
5,901

16 636 3,261 890
31 709
195 119
60 24
7 63
4 26
4 8 6 20
6,079

10 456 3,780 672
44 610
174 115 112
66 9
31 8
51 0 8
12 221
6,179

17 541 2,963 668
24 748
146 104 162
90 10 31
5 37 15
8 12
8
5,589

TOTAL ALL CERTIFICATIONS

9,311 12,344 11,949 13,458 12,588 11,518

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Training Standards Division
The Training Standards 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 Performing quality control functions on basic and advanced-level training Processing of school, school director, and functions relating to instructor
certification Development and coordination of the Instructor Training Course Out-of-State course equivalency ratings for approval/disapproval Technical assistance to ten regional police academies Processing and evaluating new course recognition requests
Special Operations of the Training Standards 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 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

Note: Basic Includes

Law Enforcement 733,848

Jail

88,430

Communication 17,960

Other

468,228

Specialized Includes Voluntary Cert.
Courses Out of State Seminar

94,473
75,196 493,621

Total Training Hours: 4,106,350

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Total Officers Trained: 408,620

Note: Basic Includes

Law Enforcement 1,736

Jail

1,124

Communication 449

Other

2,147

Specialized Includes:

Voluntary Cert. 2,838

Courses

Out of State

3,554

Seminar

72,442

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Georgia Peace Officers

Local Agencies
40,907 70%

State Agencies
17,879 30%

Total 58,786

Local Agencies State Agencies

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Peace Officer Population
by Government Type

18,000 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000
8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000
-

17,879

17,088 14,625

4,809 4,375

State Sheriff Municipal Mis. Others County Police

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Employed by State Agencies

10,000

9,000

9,033

8,000

7,000

6,000

5,000 4,000

4,161

3,000

2,000

1,783

1,000

1,059

715

425

399

304

-

GDC

DJJ Probation GSP

Misc

P & P

DNR

GBI

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Investigations Division
The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council has discretionary authority by law, to discipline officers. Disciplinary action is taken in the form of sanctions against an officer's certification. Action is based on the preponderance of evidence that they were in violation of the P.O.S.T. Act (O.C.G.A. 35-8 as amended).
Discipline/Investigation of Officers
This division is responsible for investigating terminations of officers, suspensions of more than 30 days, and alleged criminal involvement of any officer. The investigator then reports to the P.O.S.T. Council Probable Cause Committee (PCC) for further action/recommendation. The PCC recommends a sanction to the Council, which may include: (a) Revocation of Certification; (b) Suspension of Certification; (c) Probation; or (d) Sanctions as permitted by Law, (O.C.G.A. 35-8-7.1(11)). During FY 2010 there were 94 felony arrest/indictment suspension orders issued.

Audits of Law Enforcement Agencies
P.O.S.T. audits agencies that fall under the P.O.S.T. Act for compliance with the Act. During fiscal year 2010 the Investigations Division lost two full time investigators to retirement. Due to budget cuts these positions were left vacant; therefore, no agency audits were performed resulting in no compliance violations.
Technical Assistance
The investigation division also provides technical assistance to the law enforcement agencies and their officers in matters relating to the P.O.S.T. Act.

Case Statistics

1800

1600

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0
Opened Completed

FY 2007 1334 1135

FY 2008 1431 1265

FY 2009 1338 1359

FY 2010 1527 1277

Opened Completed

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GEORGIA PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING
COUNCIL Investigations Division

1. Allegation of Misconduct is Reported to
P.O.S.T.

6. COUNCIL DETERMINES
SANCTION

2. Investigations Director
determines applicability to O.C.G.A. 35-8-7.1

5. Probable Cause
Committee Recommendation Presented to Full
Council

7. Officer is Notified via Certified Mail of
the Council Sanction and his or her right to contest the action through the Hearing Process

3. Case is assigned to P.O.S.T. Investigator

4. Case Investigated and
Presented to Probable Cause
Committee

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POST Cases, Based Upon Violation

4% 12%
65%

1% 3%
4% 2%
9%

P.O.S.T. Regulations Employing Agency Issues Misdemeanors Property Crimes Sexual Behavior Drug Related Offenses Non-Violent Felonies Violent Felony Crimes

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Hearings
Officers are entitled to challenge sanctions imposed on their certification by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. The officer's due process is afforded through and administrative hearing in accordance with the Georgia Administrative Procedures Act (O.C.G.A. 50-13).
It is estimated that over 15% of the officers sanctioned by the Council appeal within the allotted fifteen (15) day period by filing a written request for a hearing. Once received, a "pre-hearing conference" is scheduled with the affected officer, the officer's legal representative, and a member of the Attorney General's Office. During a pre-hearing conference, a negotiated settlement is explored. The Attorney General makes a recommendation as to whether to proceed to a formal hearing or suggest an alternative.
Unsettled cases are forwarded to the Office of State Administrative Hearings (O.S.A.H.). A Special Assistant Administrative Law Judge is assigned by the Chief Judge of O.S.A.H. to preside in a contested case and schedules a complete evidentiary hearing in the disputed matter. Upon conclusion, the Judge will render a "Final Decision" (conclusion is the same as Council's action) or an "Initial Decision" (conclusion differs from Council's action). Initial Decisions are reviewed by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council through a "Final Agency Review". Officers may appeal all decisions in Superior Court as a matter of law.
During Fiscal year 2010 there were 149 pre-hearing conferences held. POST settled a total of 151 cases, which includes current and previous year's matters.

GEORGIA PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING COUNCIL
Administrative Hearings

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OFFICER IS NOTIFIED VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
OF SANCTION IMPOSED BY P.O.S.T.
COUNCIL

CASE IS FORWARDED FOR
A PRE-HEARING CONFERENCE TO BE SCHEDULED
FILE DUPLICATED & FORWARDED TO
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE

OFFICER CHALLENGES SANCTION / REQUEST
HEARING
PREHEARING CONFERENCE A.G. / RESPONDENT/ AND P.O.S.T.

SETTLEMENT REACHED /
APPROVED BY CHAIRMAN
PROCEED TO FULL HEARING

A.L.J. DECISION IS SAME AS COUNCIL
FINAL ACTION
A.L.J. DECISION IS DIFFERENT THAN COUNCIL
FINAL AGENCY REVIEW

OFFICE OF STATE ADMINISTRATIVE
HEARINGS CONDUCTS
HEARING

OFFICER MAY APPEAL A.L.J. DECISION OR AGENCY DECISION IN
SUPERIOR COURT

Hearing Statistics Cases Resolved by:
52; 34%

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2; 1%

57; 38%

40; 27%

Withdrawals/Dismissals/Surrenders Settlement Orders Administrative Dismissals OSAH Appealed to Superior Court or Council


P.O.S.T. Operations Division
The P.O.S.T. Operations Division is responsible for providing administrative support and special services. Other major responsibilities include:
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During FY 2010 P.O.S.T. responded to approximately 4900 Open Records Requests. This Division is tasked with searching for and implementing new processes that will make the agency more efficient.

Maintenance of P.O.S.T. Computer System/Peace Officer Records

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

A. Personnel History B. Employment History C. Discipline D. Training Courses E. Chief Executives F. Sheriffs'; Wardens'; and Chiefs'
Current Training Histories

G. Training Course Completions H. Certification/Registration I. Terminations J. Agencies K. Advanced Certification

P.O.S.T. maintains employment, certification and training records on over 115,000 officers. Of these, over 58,000 are actively employed in their field of certification.

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P.O.S.T. Operations Division
Ryan Powell Division Director

Lara Hollister Operations Analyst
Azra Keeling Records Custodian
Major Accomplishments this past year were: Computer System Upgrade Rule Revisions Continued development of Certification Examination

Neal Lewis Systems Manager
Vacant Programmer/
Analyst