The commission recognizes that continuing education and training is the cornerstone for a successful career as a peace officer in providing competent public safety services to the communities of Washington state.
(1) Effective January 1, 2006, every peace officer certified under RCW
43.101.095 or
43.101.157 will complete a minimum of twenty-four hours of in-service training annually.
(a) This requirement is effective January 1, 2006, for incumbent officers.
(b) 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.
(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) As of July 1, 2018, the twenty-four hours must include the successful completion of the training commission's two-hour annual online crisis intervention course prescribed under RCW
43.101.427.
(2) Effective January 1, 2016, every reserve peace officer as defined by WAC
139-05-810 will complete a minimum of twenty-four hours of in-service training annually.
(a) The in-service training requirement for each newly appointed reserve peace officer/tribal peace officer must begin on January 1st of the calendar year following their appointment as a result of successful completion of the basic reserve 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 twenty-four hours must include the successful completion of the training commission's two-hour 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 peace 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 twenty-four hours.
(d) Any training obtained during this three month extension only counts towards the previous year being audited.
(5) The commission auditor 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 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.]