Law Enforcement Training and Standards in Georgia
Law Enforcement Training and Standards in Georgia
Becoming a police officer in Georgia takes a lot of hard work and dedication. The state has strict standards and requirements for law enforcement training and certification. This article will give an overview of what it takes to join the police force in Georgia.
Georgia POST Council
The main organization that oversees police training and standards in Georgia is the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST). This state agency is responsible for establishing minimum standards for certification of law enforcement officers and ensuring training programs across the state meet certain requirements.
Some of the Georgia POST Council’s main duties include:
- Setting curriculum requirements for basic law enforcement training
- Approving and certifying schools that offer police officer training
- Establishing qualifications and requirements for instructors
- Setting minimum standards for certification of officers
- Issuing and revoking certification of officers when necessary
So in a nutshell, the Georgia POST Council oversees the full process – they set the standards, approve the training programs, and certify officers upon completion. All prospective officers must go through POST in order to work in law enforcement in Georgia.
Becoming a Police Officer in Georgia
Here are the main steps to becoming a police officer in Georgia:
- Meet the minimum qualifications
- Complete POST application
- Get fingerprinted for background check
- Pass entrance exam
- Complete Basic Mandate Training
- Pass certification exam
Let’s break these down in more detail:
Minimum Qualifications
All candidates must meet certain prerequisites to even apply for police officer certification in Georgia. These include:
- Being at least 18 years old
- U.S. citizenship
- High school diploma or equivalent
- No felony convictions
- Honorable discharge from military (if applicable)
Candidates must provide documentation proving they meet these minimum qualifications.
POST Application
Prospective officers must complete an application with POST and provide supporting documents. The application collects information on your personal background, education, employment history, financial history, and more.
Background Check
All candidates must submit fingerprints and undergo an extensive background investigation. Things that will be looked at include:
- Criminal history
- Driving record
- Credit history
- Employment history
- Personal references
The background check helps determine if the candidate is of good moral character to serve as a law enforcement officer.
Entrance Exam
Candidates have to pass an entrance exam that covers reading, writing, and logical reasoning skills. Each police department may have their own entrance exam and passing score.
Basic Mandate Training
Once accepted to the police academy, recruits complete 11 weeks of Basic Mandate Training. This covers all the essential knowledge and skills needed for the job, including:
- Georgia law
- Traffic enforcement
- Firearms training
- Defensive tactics
- Emergency vehicle operations
- Investigations
- Patrol procedures
The training takes place at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) or one of the regional police academies across the state. There is also some self-study outside of classroom hours.
Certification Exam
At the end of Basic Mandate Training, recruits must pass a comprehensive exam covering all the material. If they pass, the recruit will be certified by POST and can now be hired as a police officer in Georgia.
Continuing Education
The learning doesn’t stop after graduating from the police academy. Georgia requires officers to complete 20 hours of continuing education each year to maintain their certification. This further training can cover a wide range of relevant topics like:
- De-escalation tactics
- Human trafficking
- Cybercrime
- Emergency response
- Cultural diversity
Continuing education keeps officers up-to-date on the latest laws, enforcement tactics, and community issues.
Use of Force Policies
With police use of force being an ongoing national conversation, Georgia POST has standards for how police academies must train recruits on these issues. For example, training must include:
- De-escalation techniques
- Alternatives to use of deadly force
- Roleplaying scenarios
- Legal updates on use of force
These requirements help ensure officers graduate with appropriate education on use of force. Many departments also have their own strict use of force policies officers must follow.
Conclusion
Becoming a police officer in Georgia involves meeting stringent requirements in terms of education, training, and character. The Georgia POST Council oversees the entire process from setting standards to certifying officers. This in-depth system is designed to ensure only the most qualified candidates join police forces across the state.
While it takes dedication and hard work to complete police academy training and pass certification, the rewarding career of law enforcement awaits those who make it through.