PDFWAC 139-05-300

Requirement for in-service training.

The commission recognizes that continuing education and training is the cornerstone for a successful career as a certified officer (WAC 139-01-310) in providing competent public safety services to the communities of Washington state.
(1) Every certified officer under RCW 43.101.095 or 43.101.157 will complete a minimum of 24 hours of in-service training annually.
(a) The in-service training requirement for each newly hired officer must begin on January 1st of the calendar year following their certification as a result of successful completion of the basic law enforcement academy, equivalency academy, or approved waiver as provided by WAC 139-03-030.
(b) The in-service training requirement for certified limited authority peace officers and corrections officers will begin on January 1, 2026.
(c) Training may be developed and provided by the employer or other training resources.
(d) The commission will publish guidelines for approved in-service training.
(e) The 24 hours must include the successful completion of the commission's annual online crisis intervention course prescribed under RCW 43.101.427.
(2) Every reserve peace officer as defined by WAC 139-05-810 will complete a minimum of 24 hours of in-service training annually.
(a) The in-service training requirement for each newly appointed reserve peace officer must begin on January 1st of the calendar year following their appointment as a result of successful completion of the basic law enforcement academy, basic reserve academy equivalency process, or approved waiver as provided by WAC 139-03-030.
(b) Training may be developed and provided by the employer or other training resources.
(c) The commission will publish guidelines for approved in-service training.
(d) As of July 1, 2018, the 24 hours must include the successful completion of the commission's annual online crisis intervention course prescribed under RCW 43.101.427.
(3) All records for training required for this rule must be maintained by the employing agency and be available for review upon request by an authorized commission representative.
(a) The commission will maintain records of successfully completed commission-registered courses.
(b) Upon request, the commission will furnish a recordkeeping template for use by agencies to track training.
(4) The sheriff or chief of an agency may request an extension of three months for officers in their employ by notification in writing to the commission, identifying those specific officers.
(a) A sheriff or chief may request a three-month personal extension of the requirement by doing so in writing to the commission.
(b) Written requests submitted under the provision of this subsection must be received by December 1st of the calendar year in question.
(c) The three-month extension under this provision provides the individuals named until March 31st to complete the mandated 24 hours.
(d) Any training obtained during this three-month extension only counts towards the previous year being audited.
(5) The commission executive director or designee may, on a case-by-case basis, grant exceptions for individuals with extenuating circumstances where the employing agency has made every reasonable effort to obtain training for the officer.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.101.080. WSR 24-07-043, § 139-05-300, filed 3/13/24, effective 4/13/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.101.080 and 43.101.801. WSR 22-13-075, § 139-05-300, filed 6/9/22, effective 7/10/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.101.080 and 2018 c 32. WSR 18-13-057, § 139-05-300, filed 6/14/18, effective 7/15/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.101.080. WSR 16-19-040, § 139-05-300, filed 9/14/16, effective 10/15/16; WSR 15-19-042, § 139-05-300, filed 9/10/15, effective 10/11/15; WSR 09-16-098, § 139-05-300, filed 8/4/09, effective 9/4/09; WSR 05-20-029, § 139-05-300, filed 9/28/05, effective 10/29/05; WSR 05-01-112, § 139-05-300, filed 12/15/04, effective 1/15/05.]