Virginia Regulatory Town Hall

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Action:
Amend Corrections Officer Compulsory Minimum Training Standards ...
Stage: NOIRA
 

CHAPTER 100
RULES RELATING TO COMPULSORY MINIMUM TRAINING STANDARDS FOR CORRECTIONAL CORRECTIONS OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, DIVISION OF ADULT INSTITUTIONS

6VAC20-100-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Academy director" means the chief administrative officer of an approved training academy

"Agency administrator" means any chief of police, sheriff or agency head of a state, local law-enforcement agency, or the director of the Department of Corrections, or his designee.

"Approved training school academy" means a training school institution which provides instruction of at least the minimum training standards as mandated by the board and has been approved by the department for the specific purpose of training criminal justice personnel.

"Approved training school" means training conducted by a certified training academy and approved by the department to meet minimum training standards.

"Board" means the Criminal Justice Services Board.

"Corrections facility director/manager" means the chief administrative officer of a correctional facility.

"Corrections officer" means a basic corrections officer through the rank of Major.

"Curriculum Review Committee" means the committee consisting of nine individuals representing the Department of Corrections. Two members of the committee shall represent the western region, two members shall represent the eastern region, two members shall represent the central region and three members shall represent administration.

"Department" means the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

"Director" means the chief administrative officer of the department.

"Full-Time attendance" means that officers in training shall attend all classes and shall not be placed on duty or call except in cases of emergency for the duration of the school.

"School director" means the chief administrative officer of an approved training school.

6VAC20-100-20. Compulsory minimum training standards.

A. Pursuant to the provisions of § 9-170 7 subdivision 9 of 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia, the board establishes the following as the compulsory minimum training standards for Compulsory Minimum Training Standards for full-time correctional corrections officers of the Department of Corrections, Division of Adult Institutions. The complete document may be found on the Department of Criminal Justice Services' website at www.dcjs.virginia.gov.

The performance objectives constituting the institutional and academy for staff development core and sub-core curricula is detailed in the document entitled, "Performance-Based Training and Testing Objectives for Compulsory Minimum Training for Correctional Officers of the Department of Corrections, Division of Adult Institutions" (June, 1986), which is incorporated by reference and made a part of these regulations.

A. B. Basic correctional corrections officer training - institutional training.

1. Core curriculum.

4.0. Key Control

5.0. Tool Control

6.0. Control/Account for Inmates

10.0. Search Procedures - Persons

11.0. Search Procedures - Objects

12.0. Search Procedures - Vehicles

13.0. Search Procedures - Areas

14.0. Control of Movement In and Out of Facility - Perimeter

15.0. Control of Movement In and Out of Tower

16.0. Control of Movement In and Out of Sally Port

17.0. Control of Movement In and Out of Visiting Room

18.0. Control of Movement In and Out of Gates

19.0. Radio/Telephone Communications

20.0. Control of Movement - Control Room

21.0. Control of Movement - Master Control

22.0. Maintaining Effective Security Equipment

23.0. Control of Contraband

24.0. Control of Movement Using Restraints

24.1. Identification of Restraints

24.2. Use of Restraints

25.0. Control of Inmate Movement - Internal

26.0. Transportation and Escorting

32.0. Communication of Critical Information to Correctional Officers

33.0. Communication of Critical Information to Supervisors

34.0. Enforcing Laws, Rules and Regulations

35.0. Enforcing Laws, Rules and Regulations - Behavior Adjustment

36.0. Enforcing Laws, Rules and Regulations - Adjustment Committee

37.0. Enforcing Laws, Rules - ICC

43.0. Use of Force - Firearms

44.0. Emergency Preparedness and Response - Riot or Disturbance

45.0. Emergency Preparedness and Response

46.0. Emergency Preparedness and Response - Hostage

47.0. Emergency Preparedness and Response - Minor Disturbance

48.0. Emergency Preparedness and Response - First Aid

50.0. Inmate Supervision - Providing Information

52.0. Inmate Supervision - Work/Recreation

53.0. Inmate Welfare - Receiving

54.0. Inmate Welfare - Medical Care

55.0. Inmate Welfare - Mail

56.0. Inmate Welfare - Personal Property

57.0. Inmate Welfare - Housekeeping/Laundry

.........TOTAL INSTITUTIONAL CURRICULUM HOURS - 80

1.     Category 1 – Security and Supervision

2.     Category 2 – Communication

3.     Category 3 – Safety

4.     Category 4 – Emergency Response

5.     Category 5 – Conflict and Crisis Management

6.     Category 6 – Law and Legal Issues

7.     Category 7 – Duty Assignments and Responsibilities

8.     Category 8 – Professionalism

9.     Category 9 – Firearms Training

10.   Category 10 – Physical Training

ACADEMY TRAINING HOURS – 400

11.   Category 11 – Field Training

FIELD TRAINING HOURS – 200

TOTAL MINIMUM TRAINING STANDARDS HOURS - 600

B. Basic correctional officer training - academy for staff development.

1. Core curriculum.

1.0. Role of the Correctional System

2.0. Corrections Within the Criminal Justice System

3.0. Corrections As a Profession

7.0. Law-Enforcement Techniques

8.0. Secure and Safeguard of Crime Scene

9.0. Testifying

10.0. Search Procedures - Persons

23.0. Control of Contraband

23.1. Control of Drug Use

23.2. Identification of Controlled/Abused Substance

23.3. Identification of Materials Used to Achieve Intoxication

23.4. Identification of Materials Used to Make Weapons

23.5. Procedure for Handling Contraband

24.0. Control of Movement Using Restraints

24.1. Identification of Restraints

24.2. Use of Restraints

28.0. Crisis Prevention/Inmate

29.0. Crisis Prevention/I.D. of Potential Problems

30.0. Crisis Prevention/I.D. of Mentally Disturbed Inmates

31.0. Conflict Management/Crisis Intervention

34.0. Enforcing Laws, Rules and Regulations

35.0. Enforcing Laws, Rules and Regulations - Behavior Adjustment

38.0. Enforcing Laws, Rules - Grievance

39.0. Use of Force

40.0. Use of Force - Defensive Tactics

41.0. Use of Force - Baton

42.0. Use of Force - Chemical Agents

43.0. Use of Force - Firearms

44.0. Emergency Preparedness and Response - Riot or Disturbance

45.0. Emergency Preparedness and Response

46.0. Emergency Preparedness and Response - Hostage

49.0. Inmate Supervision - Interpersonal Communications

50.0. Inmate Supervision - Providing Information

51.0. Inmate Supervision - Limitations

52.0. Inmate Supervision - Work/Recreation

............TOTAL CORE CURRICULUM HOURS - 120

2.  Sub-core curriculum (required for all correctional officers who, in the performance of duties, are required to transport inmates by vehicular means).

27.0. Vehicle Operation.

............ TOTAL SUB-CORE CURRICULUM HOURS - 16

............ TOTAL CURRICULUM HOURS - 216

6VAC20-100-25. Approval Authority.

A. The Criminal Justice Services Board shall be the approval authority for the training categories of the compulsory minimum training standards. Amendments to training categories shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

B. The Committee on Training of the Criminal Justice Services Board shall be the approval authority for the performance outcomes, training objectives, criteria, and lesson plan guides that support the performance outcomes. Performance outcomes, training objectives, criteria, and lesson plan guides supporting the compulsory minimum training standards may be added, deleted, or amended by the Committee on Training based upon written recommendation of a chief of police, sheriff, agency administrator, academy director, non-law enforcement head of a communications center, or the Curriculum Review Committee.

C. Prior to approving changes to the performance outcomes, training objectives, criteria, or lesson plan guides, the Committee on Training shall conduct a public hearing. Sixty days prior to the public hearing, the proposed changes shall be distributed to all affected parties for the opportunity to comment. Notice of change of the performance outcomes, training objectives, criteria, and lesson plan guides shall be filed for publication in the Virginia Register of Regulations upon adoption, change, or deletion. The department shall notify each certified academy in writing of any new, revised, or deleted objectives. Such adoptions, changes, or deletions shall become effective 30 days after notice of publication in the Virginia Register.

6VAC20-100-30. Applicability.

A. Every person employed as a full-time correctional corrections officer, and who has not met the compulsory minimum training standards for correctional corrections officers subsequent to the effective date of these regulations, shall meet the training standards herein established unless provided otherwise in accordance with subsection B.

B. The director may grant an exemption or partial exemption of the compulsory minimum training standards established herein, in accordance with § 9-173 9.1-116 of the Code of Virginia.

6VAC20-100-40. Time requirement for completion of training.

A. Every correctional corrections officer who is required to comply with the compulsory minimum training standards shall satisfactorily complete such training within 12 months of the date of appointment unless provided otherwise in accordance with subsection B.

B. The director may grant an extension of the time limit for completion of the minimum training required upon presentation of evidence by the agency administrator that the officer was unable to complete the required training within the specified time limit due to illness, injury, military service or special duty assignment required and performed in the public interest. However, each agency administrator shall request such extension prior to expiration of any time limit.

C. Any correctional corrections officer who originally complied with all training requirements and later separated from correctional officer status, more for a period of less than 12 months but less than 24 months, upon reentry as a correctional officer will shall be required to complete Institutional Orientation and Institutional In-Service and successfully complete annual firearms training all compulsory minimum training standards set forth in 6VAC20-100-20 A 1 6VAC20-100-120.

D. Any correctional corrections officer who originally complied with all training requirements and later separated from correctional corrections officer status, in excess of  for a period of 12 months or greater but less than 24 months, upon reentry as a correctional officer shall be required to complete all compulsory minimum training standards  set forth in 6VAC20-100-20 Basic Corrections Officer Training unless provided otherwise in accordance with 6VAC20-100-20 A 1.

6VAC20-100-50. How minimum training may be attained.

A. The compulsory minimum training standards shall be attained by attending and satisfactorily completing an approved training school academy.

B. Officers attending an approved training school are required to be present for all classes and should not be placed on duty, on post, or on call except in cases of emergency. In the event of such an emergency, the agency administrator shall advise the school academy director within 24 hours. Officers Students will be responsible for any material missed during an excused absence.

C. All approved training schools which begin on or after January 1, 1989, shall be conducted in conformance with the Rules Relating to Compulsory Minimum Training Standards for Correctional Officers of the Department of Corrections, Division of Adult Institutions, as adopted by the board on October 7, 1987. However, the period January 1, 1988, through December 31, 1988, shall serve as a transition period wherein training schools may be approved by the department to conduct training in accordance with the Rules Relating to Compulsory Minimum Training Standards For Correctional Officers of the Department of Corrections, Division of Institutional Services, as amended by the board on February 12, 1982, or according to the Rules Relating to Compulsory Minimum Training Standards for Correctional Officers of the Department of Corrections, Division of Adult Institutions, as adopted by the board on October 7, 1987. Every correctional officer satisfactorily completing training approved by the department under the rules amended February 12, 1982, or under the rules adopted on October 7, 1987, shall be deemed to have complied with the compulsory minimum training standards for correctional officers.

6VAC20-100-60. Approved training schools.

A. Correctional officer training schools shall be approved by the department prior to the first scheduled class. Approval is requested by making application to the director on forms provided by the department. The director may approve those schools, which, on the basis of curricula, instructors, facilities and examinations provide the required minimum training. One application for all mandated training shall be submitted prior to the beginning of each fiscal year. A curriculum listing the subject matter, performance objective by number, the instructors, dates, and times for the entire proposed session shall be submitted to the department 30 days prior to the beginning of each such proposed session. An exemption to the 30-day requirement may be granted for good cause shown by the school director.

B. Each school director shall be required to maintain a file of all current lesson plans and supporting material for each subject contained in the compulsory minimum training standards.

C. Schools which are approved shall be subject to inspection and review by the director or staff.

D. The department may suspend the approval of an approved training school upon written notice, which shall contain the reason(s) upon which the suspension is based, to the school's director. The school's director may request a hearing before the director or his designee. The request shall be in writing and must be received by the department within 15 days of the date of the notice of suspension. The school's director may appeal the decision of the director or his designee to the board. Such request shall be in writing and must be received by the board within 15 days of the date of the decision of the director or his designee.

E. The department may revoke the approval of an approved training school upon written notice, which shall contain the reason(s) upon which the revocation is based, to the school's director. The school's director may request a hearing before the director or his designee. The request shall be in writing and must be received by the department within 15 days of the date of the notice of revocation. The school's director may appeal the decision of the director or his designee to the board. Such request shall be in writing and must be received by the board within 15 days of the date of the decision of the director or his designee.

6VAC20-100-70. Grading.

A.  Each corrections officer shall comply with the requirements of all the basic corrections officer training categories performance objectives set forth in 6VAC20-100-20 and the document entitled, "Performance-Based Training and Testing Objectives for Compulsory Minimum Training Standards.  for Correctional Officers of the State Department of Corrections, Division of Adult Institutions" (June, 1986). All approved training schools academies shall utilize testing procedures which indicate that every officer, prior to satisfactory completion of the training school academy, has met the requirements set forth in each performance objective specified in the document entitled, "Performance-Based Training and Testing Objectives for Compulsory Minimum Training for Correctional Officers of the State Department of Corrections, Division of Adult Institutions" (June, 1986).  located on the Department of Criminal Justice Services website at www.dcjs.virginia.gov.  An officer may be tested and retested as may be necessary within the time limits of 6VAC20-100-40 and in accordance with each academy's written policy.  An officer shall not be certified as having complied with the compulsory minimum training standards unless all applicable requirements have been met.

B.  The school academy director shall submit a grade report on each officer on forms provided by the department.

C.  The following firearms training will be required for each officer attending an approved school academy:

1. Nomenclature and care of service revolver semi-automatic weapons;

2. Safety (on the firearms range, on duty and off duty);

3. Legal responsibilities and liabilities of firearms;

4. Service revolver (handling, firing principles) Semi-automatic weapons, long guns/rifle, shotgun, crowd control gun and impact weapons (handling, firing principles);

5. Dry firing and application of basic shooting principles;

6. Prequalification shooting (60 rounds, minimum) (200 rounds, minimum);

7. Basic Correctional Firearms Qualification Course - Minimum cumulative qualification score of 70% qualification required.

8. Shotgun Qualification Course - Minimum 80% qualification required

9. Special Weapons Qualification Courses - Minimum 80% qualification required

a. .223 caliber mini-14 rifle

b. AR-15 semi-automatic rifle

6VAC20-100-80. Failure to comply with rules and regulations.

Any correctional corrections officer attending an approved training school academy shall comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the board and any other rules and regulations within the authority of the school academy director. The school academy director shall be responsible for enforcement of all rules and regulations established to govern the conduct of attendees.  If the school academy director considers a violation of the rules and regulations detrimental to the welfare of the school academy, the school academy director may expel the officer from the school academy. Notification of such action shall immediately be reported, in writing, to the corrections facility director manager of the officer and the director agency administrator or designee.

6VAC20-100-90. Administrative requirements.

A. Reports shall be required from the agency administrator and school director on forms approved or provided by the department and at such times as designated by the director.

B. The school academy director shall, within 30 days upon completion of an approved training school academy session, comply with the following:

1. Prepare a grade report on each officer maintaining the original for academy records and forwarding a copy to the corrections facility director/manager agency administrator or designee of the officer.

2. Submit to the department a roster containing the names of those officers who have satisfactorily completed all training requirements and, if applicable, a revised curriculum for the training session.

C. The school academy director shall furnish each instructor with a complete set of course resumes and the applicable performance objectives for the assigned subject matter.

D. Approved correctional officer training schools academies shall maintain accurate records of all tests, grades and testing procedures. Training school academy records shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of these rules and The Virginia Public Records Act §§ 42.1-76 through 42.1-91 ( § 42.1-76 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

6VAC20-100-100. Effective date.

These regulations shall be effective on and after January 1, 1988, and until amended or repealed.

6VAC20-100-110. Recision of previous rules. (Repealed.)

The Rules Relating to Compulsory Minimum Training Standards for Correctional Officers of the Department of Corrections, Division of Institutional Services, as amended on February 12, 1982, are hereby rescinded effective January 1, 1989.

6VAC20-100-115. Re-Certification of Basic Corrections Officers.

Basic Corrections Officer - total 40 hours (semi-annually) by December 31 of the second calendar year after completing an approved training academy.

1. Cultural diversity training - two (2) hours.

2. Legal training – four (4) hours. Subjects to be provided are at the discretion of the academy director of an approved training academy and shall be designated as legal training.

3. Career development/elective training - 34 hours. Subjects to be provided are at the discretion of the academy director of an approved training academy.

4. Firearms training. Annual range qualification shall be completed as set forth in 6VAC20-100-120.

6VAC20-100-120. Firearms Recertification.

A. Every officer required to carry a firearm in the performance of duty shall qualify annually using the applicable firearms course approved by the Committee on Training of the board.  Annual range qualification shall include a review of issues and policies relating to weapons safety, nomenclature, maintenance and use of force.  With prior approval of the director, a reasonable modification of the firearms course may be approved to accommodate qualification on indoor ranges. 

B. Corrections officers shall qualify annually with a minimum passing score of 70% on one of the required firearm courses listed in the Compulsory Minimum Training Standards for the Department of Corrections found at the Department of Criminal Justice Services' website at www.dcjs.virginia.gov.

FORMS (6VAC20-100)

Application for Exemption From Virginia Compulsory Minimum Training Standards, Form W-2, eff. 1/91.

Criminal Justice Training Roster, Form 41, eff. 1/93.