6VAC20-180-10. Definitions.

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

"Agency administrator" means any chief of police, sheriff, or any agency head of local, state, federal and college or university law-enforcement agencies sworn under § 23-232.1 23.1-810 of the Code of Virginia.

"Crime prevention services" means providing for the anticipation, recognition, and appraisal of a crime risk and the initiation of an activity to remove or reduce the opportunity for crime.

"Department" means the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

"Employee" means any sworn or civilian individual, including auxiliaries, reserve-deputies, and volunteers employed by a local, state, or federal government agency, or college or university in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

"General law-enforcement instructor" means an individual who has complied with all of the applicable standards for certification or recertification, whichever applies, contained in 6VAC20-80-10 6VAC20-80-20, and is eligible to instruct, teach, or lecture approved or mandated training.

"Local, state, or federal government agency" means any political unit or identifiable subunit through which an individual or body that governs, exercises its authority, performs its functions, and which has as its principal duty or duties the administration of public policy.

6VAC20-180-20. Duties of a crime prevention specialist.

The duties of crime prevention specialists are shall be in accordance with § 9.1-161 of the Code of Virginia and include the following:

1. To provide citizens within their jurisdiction information concerning personal safety and the security of property, and other matters relating to the reduction of criminal opportunity.

2. To provide business establishments within their jurisdiction information concerning business and employee security, and other matters relating to the reduction of criminal activity, including but not limited to, internal and external theft, environmental design, and computer security.

3. To provide citizens or businesses within their jurisdiction assistance in forming and maintaining neighborhood or business watch groups or other community-based crime prevention programs.

4. To provide assistance to other units of government within their jurisdiction in developing plans and procedures related to the reduction of criminal activity in government and the community.

5. To promote the reduction and prevention of crime within their jurisdiction and the Commonwealth.

6VAC20-180-30. Eligibility.

A. Any employee (sworn, nonsworn, or volunteer) of a local, state or federal government agency who serves in a law-enforcement, crime prevention, or criminal justice capacity is eligible to be trained and certified as a crime prevention specialist.

B. A. The agency administrator or his designee of any local, state, or federal government agency or college or university may designate one or more eligible employees in his department or office who serve in a law-enforcement, crime prevention, or criminal justice capacity to be trained and certified as crime prevention specialists. Applicants for recertification shall be recommended by the agency administrator or his designee. Application shall be made on the Crime Prevention Specialist Certification Application-Form A.

C. B. All crime prevention specialist applicants provided for in this chapter shall be approved only upon recommendation of a law-enforcement agency having jurisdiction where the crime prevention specialist shall serve.

D. C. This chapter does not limit or prohibit the chief executive of any local, state or federal government agency from assigning personnel to crime prevention tasks who are not certified as crime prevention specialists.