NCJ Number
227927
Date Published
July 2009
Length
53 pages
Annotation
This report presents results of the 2009 survey of peace officer standards and training (POST) agencies regarding certification information management practices.
Abstract
Conclusions drawn from the 2009 survey include: (1) most States had the authority to both certify and decertify for cause law enforcement officers and other criminal justice personnel; (2) a significant number of peace officer standards and training (POST) agencies additionally certify other public safety personnel; (3) a significant population of officers sanctioned for misconduct exists and continues to expand; (4) basis for revocation varied greatly among the States; (5) use of the revocation sanction varied greatly by State; (6) POST agencies generally believed that due process was afforded in the revocation process; (7) in most cases, POST agencies were generally not prohibited from sharing revocation information; (8) POST agencies often certified additional, non-police personnel; (9) disparate information management systems were utilized by United States POST agencies; and (10) most POST agencies used the National Decertification Index to screen candidates for hire or certification. Several recommendations were offered in furtherance of additional research, development, and operational enhancement. Certification is the process by which law enforcement officers are licensed in their respective jurisdictions. Decertification is the loss of certification for a variety of reasons, which vary among the States. POST agencies maintain a comprehensive record keeping system, known as the Police Officer Certification Revocation Information Sharing Initiative, a U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance funded project of the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST). This report presents the results of the 2009 survey of POST agencies' certification practices.