1 Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council Executive Director's Message The Honorable Nathan Deal, Governor Members of the Georgia General Assembly Citizens of the State of Georgia Irespectfully submit the Fiscal Year 2017 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: Field Testing of Certification Exam Upgrade of the POST Website, with increased functionality Implemented the Pre-Investigative Consent Order process In FY17, the Certification and Training Division accomplishments included but were not limited to: Issued suspensions for failure to complete the required annual training for 2017 Conducted agency audits and reviewed 15 academy self-assessments In FY17 our Investigations Division had 9 full time investigators and 1 part time investigators. This division made great strides in FY17 which included but were not limited to: Opened over 1300 cases Expanded and improved existing computer system to decrease administrative tasks which improved productivity and reduced time required to complete cases I am proud of Georgia P.O.S.T. Council's accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2017. 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 2 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. 3 Georgia P.O.S.T. Council 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 John King, Vice-Chairman Sheriff Mike Jolley- Secretary Mayor Linda Blechinger Commissioner Tom McMichael Director Chris Barnett Commissioner Lamar Paris Lt. Steve Hyman Sgt. Dolly Johnson Mayor Billy Trapnell Asst. Director Dan Kirk Don Banks Chief Billy Grogan Warden Chris Hill Sheriff Terry Deese Major Stephen Adams Commissioner Michael Nail Timothy Ward Lt. Col. Russell Powell Commissioner Walter Rabon Marshal Steve Smith Director Scott Cagle A Peace Officer Chief of Police A County Sheriff A City Manager or Mayor A County Commissioner Chairman of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles of GA. or Designee Association County Commissioners of Ga. or Designee A Municipal Police Officer other than a Chief of Police A Municipal Police Officer Other than a Chief of Police President of the Georgia Municipal Association Or Designee 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 Commissioner of Georgia Dept. of Community Supervision The Commissioner of Corrections or Designee The Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety Department of Natural Resources A Peace Officer 3 Department of Juvenile Justice or Designee 4 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: Director Chris WiggintonState Officer Executive Director Frank V. RotondoAssociation Director Executive Vice President Terry NorrisAssociation Director Director Bruce Homes Asst. Director Nicholas Marinelli, Jr. Lt. Barry Woodward Chief Wayne Dennard Director Robert Bolton Dean Tom Bojo Technical College System Major Alan Everidge Georgia Public Safety Training Center Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Georgia Sheriffs' Association Board of Regents GA. Perimeter College Campus Police Communications Division Acworth Police Department Georgia Internal Affairs Investigators Association GA. Northwestern Technical College Law Enforecement Officer Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council Sheriff Mike Yeager, Chairman Chief John King, Vice-Chairman Sheriff Mike Jolley, Secretary Training Standards Committee: Stephen Adams, Chairman Dan Kirk, Vice-Chairman Russell Powell Chris Barnett Chris Hill Walter Rabon Advisory Members: Chris Wigginton Terry Norris Barry Woodward Tom Bojo Wayne Dennard Bruce Holmes Robert Bolton Probable Cause Committee: Michael Nail, Chairman Dolly Johnson, ViceChairman Mike Yeager John King Mike Jolley Tim Ward Linda Blechinger Steve Smith Executive Committee: Mike Yeager, Chairman John King, Vice-Chairman Mike Jolley, Secretary Michael Nail, PCC Stephen Adams, Training Stds. Tom McMichael, Cert. Certification Committee: Tom McMichael, Chairman Steve Hyman, Vice-Chairman Terry Deese Billy Grogan Lamar Paris Billy Trapnell Don Banks Scott Cagle Advisory Members: Frank Rotondo Nicholas Marinelli, Jr. Alan Everidge 6 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 60,000 officers actively employed by over 1100 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 7 Georgia P.O.S.T. Council Budget Manager NeeNah Yarbrough Director of P.O.S.T. Investigations Phillip Stacy Denise Hudson Administrative Assistant Julie Lewandowski Carl Ellis Leevan Kirk Mike Bowman Tommy Keheley Doug Fleming Leevan Kirk Pam Ritteweger Part Time Investigator Paula Sparks Steve Goodyear Executive Director Ken Vance Director of P.O.S.T. Training & Certifications Jeff Miller Neal Lewis IT Manager David Nettles Programmer Lois Mitchell Certifications Specialist Diane Gaddis Certifications Specialist Gena Adams Certifications Specialist Liz Chadell Certifications Specialist Zetta Lowery Certifications Specialist Melanie Monk Certifications Specialist Sharon Jones Auditor Position Executive Assistant Meghan Fail Director of P.O.S.T. Operations Ryan Powell Renee Shaw Administrative Hearings Lara Hollister Operations Analyst Jill Perry Records Custodian 8 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 9 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 Seminar Approval Certification of Peace Officers Division Reports: Agency rosters Demographic reports Individual personnel and training histories Agency deficiency reports 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 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 Forensic Scientist (GBI only) Basic Juvenile Correctional Officer Municipal Probation Officer Communication Officer SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS Radar Laser Vascar Field Training Officer Identification Technician 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. 10 11 Georgia P.O.S.T. Council Certification & Training Standards Division Jeff Miller Division Director Melanie Monk Certification Specialist Corrections Officer Certification Gena Adams Certification Specialist Jail Officer Certification Communication Officer Certification Process 20-hour Training Waivers Diane Gaddis Certification Specialist Juvenile Correction Officer F.T.O/I.D. Tech D.T.O. & Arson Certification Generalized, Guest & Specialzed Instructor Certifications Career Development Certification Lois Mitchell Certification Specialist Peace Officer Certification Sheriff and GBI Certification Archive Records Liaison Medical Disability Suspension Zetta Lowery Certificatin Specialist Peace Officer Certification Process EOT Applications Liz Chadell Certification Specialist Speed Detection Certification Enters Training Sharon Jones Auditor Audit Academies and Agencies Attend Academy Advisory Board Meetings Conducted POST overview courses 12 PEACE OFFICER STATISTICS BASIC CERTIFICATIONS Peace Officer Juvenile Probation Officer Jail Officer Communication Officer Juvenile Correctional Officer State Correctional Officer Parole & Probation Officer TOTAL BASIC EXEMPT REGISTRATIONS Peace Officer(Retired) Federal Officer TOTAL BASIC EXEMPT SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS Arson Investigator Field Training Officer Radar Operator Instructor Latent Print Examiner Laser Operator Sheriff Traffic Accident Reconstruction 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 Comm. Training Officer Crime Scene Tech TOTAL SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS TOTAL ALL CERTIFICATIONS 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 1,756 0 1,353 414 669 2,021 191 6,404 5 0 5 15 595 681 924 0 690 12 8 1,742 0 1,484 464 508 2,023 180 6,401 0 0 0 15 591 676 832 0 785 4 16 1,860 0 1,570 510 575 1,955 286 6,756 0 0 0 19 591 746 897 0 703 1 14 1,935 52 1,546 518 509 1,870 194 6,624 4 0 4 26 653 595 805 0 588 0 14 1,954 36 1,677 550 559 1,685 205 6,666 1 0 1 21 688 723 1,029 3 660 7 18 225 141 166 95 9 66 5 9 20 7 1 0 23 3,692 10,101 183 155 173 95 7 53 6 13 0 16 9 1 39 3,669 10,070 225 129 189 103 4 55 9 25 1 8 29 0 21 3,769 10,525 178 127 218 90 11 56 10 12 16 11 14 1 27 3,452 10,080 218 112 222 131 9 59 6 12 1 10 20 0 45 3,994 10,661 13 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 Research and development Performing quality control functions on basic and advanced-level training Processing of school, school director, and functions relating to instructor certification Out-of-State course equivalency ratings for approval/disapproval Technical assistance to 28 POST certified 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: Process and review Basic Course Completion packages (300+) to ensure compliance with POST rules and policy Process and review peace officers' requests for waiver of the 20 hour annual training requirement Re-certification Application Processing 14 Georgia Peace Officers Local Agencies 47,924 78% State Agencies 13,651 22% Total 61,575 Local Agencies State Agencies 15 Peace Officer Population by Government Type 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 - 25,862 13,651 14,035 3,642 440 State County Municipal Mis. Others Judicial 16 Employed by State Agencies 8,000 7,473 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,933 1,661 1,000 1,142 827 241 338 36 - GDC DJJ Probation GSP Misc GCS DNR GBI 17 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 2017 there were over 100 felony arrest/indictment suspension orders issued. 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. 18 19 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 19 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 2017 there were 130 pre-hearing conferences held. GEORGIA PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING COUNCIL Administrative Hearings 20 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 21 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: Certification Examination Custodian of Records- Open Records Request Curriculum Revision Special Projects Media Relations Rule Revisions Technology Support for Headquarters & Field Officers Administrative Hearings Pre-Investigative Consent Orders During FY 2017 P.O.S.T. responded to approximately 6,693 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 61,000 are actively employed in their field of certification. 22 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 2017 there were 130 pre-hearing conferences held. 23 PRE-INVESTIGATIVE CONSENT ORDERS The Pre-Investigative Consent Order (commonly referred to as PICO) Program was designed to help alleviate the Investigation Division with backlog cases and reduce their case load as a result of the implementation of the POST Data Gateway. The PICO program allows certain applicants/candidates and certified officers to resolve a POST disciplinary issue in an expedient manner with use of consent orders for certain violations similar to plea agreements in certain criminal cases. Although POST Council approved POST RULE Chapter 464-7 entitled Pre-Investigative Consent Orders in December 2015, the rule became effective on Jan. 10, 2016. The process became available to Applicants and Certified Officers after March 9, 2016 POST Council Meeting. According to POST Rule Chapter 464-7, Pre-investigative consent agreements may be entered into by Georgia POST Council and an applicant/candidate for certification or person certified pursuant to O.C.G.A. Title 35, Chapter 8. POST Council may issue a pre-investigative consent order in situations in which the individual agrees to the imposition of certain disciplinary sanctions in accordance with O.C.G.A. Title 35, Chapter 8, Section 7.1. Entering into a consent agreement resulting in a consent order is entirely voluntary and any person entering into such agreement waives all other proceedings, hearings and processes normally associated with actions taken by POST Council. In certain instances, using guidelines approved by the POST Council, a pre-investigative consent order may be offered, in lieu of a full POST disciplinary investigation. Any such consent order agreed upon and finalized by the Executive Director and Chairman shall be presented before the Council at the next regularly scheduled meeting for final approval. In cases in which no agreement is made, the Director of the Investigations Division of the Council shall assign the case to an investigator as in other cases. A pre-investigative consent order may be rescinded by the Council if it is found to have been based on misleading, deceptive, untrue, or fraudulent information or documents submitted to POST Council or its staff. If a pre-investigative consent order is rescinded, the investigative matter shall be forwarded to the POST Investigations Division for review by the Council. The Administrative Hearing Officer oversees the Pre-Investigative Consent Orders after case assignment from the Director of Investigations Division. Since June 2016, POST Council has approved 127 Pre-Investigative Consent Orders.