WSR 00-06-048

PROPOSED RULES

PERSONNEL RESOURCES BOARD


[ Filed February 28, 2000, 9:22 a.m. ]

Original Notice.

Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).

Title of Rule: WAC 251-19-085 Appointment -- Police corps program.

Purpose: This new rule pertains to appointments in the police corps program.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 41.06 RCW.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 41.06.150.

Summary: This new rule is for initiation of the police corps program in higher education and explains how appointments are made in the program.


Summary of Police Corps Program and Proposed Rule


The police corps program was initiated by the federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and amended in 1999. It is designed to address violent crime by helping law enforcement agencies increase the number of officers with advanced education and training assigned to community patrol. The police corps is a nationwide college scholarship and reimbursement program for students who agree to work in a state or local law enforcement agency for at least four years after graduation*. They receive up to $30,000 ($7500 each year) at the end of each of the four years to reimburse them for college expenses. The employing agency is reimbursed $10,000 at the end of each of the four years. After graduation people in the program must be assigned, to the extent feasible, in community and preventative patrol. People in the program who wish to pursue a graduate study must first complete their post-graduation service commitment.

The legislation requires that agencies may not participate if their current work force (at the time of assignment of a program participant) has declined in size more than 5% since June 21, 1989. In addition, no graduate will be assigned to an agency that has members who have been laid off but not rehired. No department shall receive the yearly $10,000 reimbursement for any year in which the average size of the department has declined by more than 2% since January 1, 1993, or in which it has laid off officers.

Police corps participants are selected on a competitive basis. They go through the institution's selection process and attend the police academy. They become classified employees after they graduate from the academy and pass their probationary period.

*In Washington, the program is operated by the Criminal Justice Training Commission. They will operate the program in Washington on a reimbursement-only basis, and not grant scholarships. However, the federal legislation provides parameters for granting scholarships if the agency operating the program chooses to incorporate that aspect.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Sharon Whitehead, 521 Capitol Way South, Olympia, WA, (360) 664-6348; Implementation and Enforcement: Department of Personnel.

Name of Proponent: Interinstitutional Personnel Officers Committee, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The police corps program was initiated by the federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and amended in 1999. It is designed to address violent crime by helping law enforcement agencies increase the number of officers with advanced education and training assigned to community patrol. The police corps program is a nationwide college scholarship and reimbursement program for students who agree to work in a state or local law enforcement agency for at least four years after graduation.

Police corps participants are selected on a competitive basis. They go through the institution's selection process and attend the police academy. They become classified employees after they graduate from the academy and pass their probationary period.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See above.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Not required.

Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption. These rules relate to internal government operations that are not subject to violation by a nongovernmental party. Therefore, pursuant to RCW 34.05.328 [(5)](b)(ii), section 201 does not apply.

Hearing Location: Department of Personnel, 521 Capitol Way South, Olympia, WA, on May 11, 2000, at 10:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Department of Personnel by May 4, 2000, TDD (360) 753-4107, or (360) 664-6280.

Submit Written Comments to: Sharon Whitehead, Department of Personnel, P.O. Box 47500, fax (360) 586-4694, by May 9, 2000.

Date of Intended Adoption: May 11, 2000.

February 28, 2000

Dennis Karras

Secretary


NEW SECTION
WAC 251-19-085
Appointment -- Police corps program.

Appointment may be made of an applicant, upon meeting the minimum qualifications and passing the examination and completing the required training, to implement the terms and conditions of the federal Police Corps Act. This appointment will become permanent upon successful completion of the probationary or trial service period. Eligibles who are appointed and have gone through the Police Corps program shall be in the classified service of an institution. Eligibles who are appointed shall have the rights and benefits provided by these rules to other classified employees.

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