Rule 21 – Basic and Reserve Training Academies
	Revised December 5, 2008 - Effective March 1, 2009

(a)	Academy approval. 

	(I)	Only an academy that is approved by the Board may provide training required for certified peace officer status.

	(II)	Each scheduled academy class of an approved training academy must be approved prior to the start of instruction.

(b)	Continuing academies.

	(I)	A continuing academy is an approved basic or reserve academy that conducts and completes at least one approved academy class every three (3) years and operates in compliance with these Rules.  

	(II)	If a continuing academy does not complete at least one approved academy class in any consecutive three (3) year period, approval of the academy shall expire.  An expired academy must reapply for approval as a new academy and be approved prior to providing any academy instruction. 

	(III)	Other than as referenced in the preceding paragraph (II), a continuing academy may remain approved until its status is surrendered, suspended or revoked.  

    	(IV)	The academy director must ensure that the following documents are received at 
                        P.O.S.T. at least thirty (30) days, but no more than sixty (60) days, prior to the 
                        start of instruction for each scheduled academy class:

		(A)	A completed P.O.S.T. Form 7, Application for Academy Approval; and

		(B)	A completed “Scheduling Request for P.O.S.T. Exam” form (basic academies only); and

		(C)	A complete and accurate academy schedule.

(1)	The schedule must clearly display the courses, major exams, dates and times in chronological order for each course (to include the dates and times for night driving and dim light shooting), and the name of the primary instructor for each course.  

(2)	If multiple courses are listed within the same block of time on the schedule, then either the schedule itself or accompanying documents must specify the amount of time that will be instructed for each course.

(V)	The academy director shall ensure that an accurate enrollment roster for each academy class is received at P.O.S.T. no later than 5:00 p.m. on the next business day following the first day of the academy.   See also P.O.S.T. Rule 14, Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Record Check.

	(VI)	The academy director shall notify P.O.S.T. prior to the occurrence of any change 
                        of the academy’s start date or end date, to include cancellation of the academy, as 
                         submitted to P.O.S.T. on the Form 7, Application for Academy Approval.

	(VII)	Each college academy and private occupational school academy shall establish an 
                        advisory committee that consists of law enforcement officials and administrators 
                        to assist with providing logistical support and validation of training.

(c)	New academies. 

(I)	A new academy is either a basic or reserve academy that has never conducted  approved training, or a basic or reserve academy that has not conducted approved training within the previous three (3) years.  

(II)	The academy director of a proposed new academy shall contact P.O.S.T. at least ninety (90) days prior to the anticipated start date of the new academy to ascertain application procedures and deadlines for submitting documents for new academy approval. 

(III)	The following types of academies are considered separate academies that must be individually approved:

	(A)	Basic and reserve academies even if operated by the same agency, organization or academic institution.

	(B)	Academies located either on a satellite campus, or at a different physical location than the primary academy.

(IV)	The proposed formal name of an academy must neither misrepresent the status of the academy, nor mislead law enforcement or the public.

(V)	Required documentation that must be submitted for new academy approval includes, but is not limited to, a videotape or DVD of all proposed sites where academic instruction and skills training will take place, site safety plans, lesson plans for all academic courses and all skills training programs that are required by the Academic Training Program, resumes for all academic instructors, and documentation of qualifications for all skills instructors.

(VI)	Once a proposed new academy begins the approval process by submitting any of the required documentation listed in the preceding paragraph (V) to P.O.S.T., the proposed new academy shall have a maximum of twelve (12) months to complete the new academy approval process.   

(VII)	The director of a proposed new academy shall also ensure that the documents required to be submitted by continuing academies, as listed in paragraph (b)(IV) of this Rule, are received at P.O.S.T. at least thirty (30) days, but no more than sixty (60) days, prior to the start of instruction.

(VIII)	Prior to approval, the proposed new academy must pass an on-site pre-approval inspection conducted by the Board or its designated 	representative(s).

(IX)	All aspects of a proposed new academy must be approved prior to the start date of the academy. 

(d)	Training sites, safety plans and equipment.  

	(I)	An academy shall have the following training sites and facilities:  

		(A)	For academics: A classroom with adequate heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, acoustics and space, and a sufficient number of desks or tables and chairs in the classroom for each trainee; and
		
		(B)	For firearms: A firing range with adequate backstop and berms to ensure the safety of all persons at or near the range; and

		(C)	For driving: A safe driving track for conducting law enforcement driving; and 

		(D)	For arrest control: An indoor site for instructing arrest control training with sufficient space and mats to ensure trainee safety; and

(E)	For practical exercises: Appropriate and safe locations for all practical exercises.

	(II)	Approval of new training sites.

(A)	All new training sites for academic classroom instruction and skills training must be approved by P.O.S.T. in consultation with the appropriate subject matter expert committees prior to conducting any training at the site.

(B)	Each academy is responsible for obtaining approval of its new training sites for academic instruction and skills training.

(C)	Academy directors shall ensure that all sites for practical training are safe and that appropriate training can be accomplished at the site to achieve the course objectives or performance outcomes.

(D)	Presumed approval or use of a specific site by one academy does not extend to automatic approval of the site for use by other academies.

(E)	If an approved site is not utilized during any consecutive three (3) year period by any academy for the type of training for which the site was initially approved, then site approval expires.  In order to resume training at an expired site, the site must be resubmitted for approval and approved.

(F)	The following items must be submitted to P.O.S.T. in order for approval of a new or expired training site to be considered:

(1)	A VHS-format videotape (or DVD video on a DVD–R disk that will play through a set-top DVD player to a TV) that accurately depicts the site where instruction is to take place; and

(2) 	A detailed description of the site must be included, either as verbal narrative on the videotape or DVD, or as a written supplement; and

              	           (3) 	An up-to-date written site safety plan.     

	(III)	Site safety plans.

(A)	Each site of skills training and academic or classroom instruction must have an up-to-date and approved written site safety plan present on site during any academy training at the site; and 

(B)	Copies of all site safety plans must also be on file at the academy at all times; and

(C)	Each site safety plan shall include procedures for managing medical emergencies, injuries, or accidents that are probable or likely to occur at the site; and

(D)	All academy staff members and instructors are to be familiar with each site safety plan as it applies to the nature and scope of their involvement with the academy.

	(IV)	Equipment.  

(A)	An academy shall have and maintain the necessary equipment and instructional aids in sufficient quantities for conducting all aspects of the required academy training program; and 

(B)	All training sites and facilities, equipment, books, supplies, materials and the like shall be maintained in good condition.

(C)	The following items shall be present at each training site during any academy training at the site:

(1)	An effective means of summoning emergency medical assistance; and

(2)	A first aid kit that contains appropriate supplies to treat medical emergencies or injuries that are likely to be sustained at the site.

(e)	Academy directors.

(I)	Qualifications.  Each academy shall designate an on-site academy director whose qualifications, based upon education, experience and training, demonstrate his or her ability to manage the academy. 

(II)	Compliance.  The academy director shall ensure that the academy operates in compliance with all P.O.S.T. Rules. 

(III)	Records.  The academy director shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining a records management system that includes, but is not limited to, enrollment rosters,  P.O.S.T. Form 11-E’s, trainee files, trainee manuals, attendance records, lesson plans, source material, instructor files, instructor/course evaluations and site safety plans. 

(IV)	Change of director.  The academy director or authorized representative of an academy shall notify P.O.S.T. as soon as practicable of any change of academy director or any change of the academy director’s electronic mailing address.

(f)	Curriculum requirements.  

	(I)	Academic standards. 

(A)	All training academies shall meet or exceed the required course content and minimum number of hours for each academic course of instruction and for each of the skills programs as required by the Basic 	Academic Training Program or Reserve Academic Training Program. 
(B)	Successful completion required.

(1)	Trainees must successfully complete the Basic Academic Training Program or Reserve Academic Training Program with a minimum score of seventy percent (70%); and

(2)	Trainees must successfully complete all skills training as required by the Arrest Control Training Program, Law Enforcement Driving Program and Firearms Training Program. 

(3)	If an academy applies a higher standard than what is required by the preceding paragraphs (1) and (2), the higher standard must be described in the Trainee Manual and in the respective skills lesson plans or course materials, as applicable.   

(II)	Attendance.

	(A)	For all hours of all skills training programs, 100% attendance and participation are required except as specified in Rule 24(b)(VIII).

(B)	Attendance is required for all hours of all academic classes.  Any trainee who is absent for any portion of an academic class shall make up the missed class content in accordance with the academy’s rules and regulations.

(C)  	Written attendance records.

	(1)  For trainees: Written daily attendance records that are accurate and    
       up-to-date shall be kept for all trainees enrolled in all academic    
      classes and all skills training classes.  
		
			(2)  For skills instructors:  Written attendance records that are 		       	      accurate and up-to-date shall be kept for all instructors who 	         
                                          teach any portion of a skills training program.

	(III)	Lesson plans.

(A)	All basic and reserve training academies shall develop and maintain up-to-date formal written lesson plans that are on file for each academic course of instruction and for each of the skills training programs.

(B)	Each lesson plan and/or an accompanying lesson plan cover sheet must include at least the following information, as applicable:

(1)	Course title; and

(2)	Number of hours for the course required by the P.O.S.T. Academic Training Program and the number of  actual course hours that will be instructed; and 

(3)	Learning goals, course objectives and/or performance outcomes for the course; and

(4)	Method of instruction; and

(5)	Instructional content of the course that substantiates the stated goals, objectives and/or outcomes of the course; and 

(6)	A copy of any handouts, multimedia and/or PowerPoint presentations that will be used during the instruction.

(IV)	Source material.

(A)	For source material identified as required source material in the current P.O.S.T. Curriculum Bibliography, at least one (1) copy of each of the publications or sources must be maintained at the place of academic instruction.  For those sources that are referenced with a website address, providing the trainees with readily available Internet access is acceptable in lieu of maintaining at least one (1) copy of each of the publications or sources.

(V)	Academy examinations. 

		(A)	All academies shall administer written, oral or practical examinations periodically during each academy in order to measure the attainment of course objectives or performance outcomes as specified in the Basic Academic Training Program or Reserve Academic Training Program.

		(B)	The academy director shall prescribe the manner, method of administration, frequency and length of academy examinations.

(VI)		Certificates of completion. 

(A)	The academy director shall issue a certificate of completion to each trainee who successfully completes all requirements of the approved academy within two (2) years of enrollment. 

(B)	The academy director shall not issue a certificate of completion to any trainee who has not attended and successfully completed 100% of all required skills training.

(C)	Each certificate of completion shall contain the following information:

(1)	Trainee’s name; and

(2)	Name of the approved academy; and

(3)	Type of academy (basic or reserve); and 

(4)	Date of academy completion (month, day, year); and

(5)	Total number of hours of the completed academy; and 

(6)	Signature of the academy director and/or agency or academic representative.

(7)	Reserve academy certificates of completion shall additionally state whether the total number of academy hours does or does not include the approved law enforcement driving program. 

(g)	Instructors.

	(I)	Minimum qualifications.

		(A)	Academic instructors shall possess the requisite education, experience and/or training necessary, as determined by the academy director, to competently instruct specific academic courses or blocks of instruction.

		(B)	Skills instructors shall meet the minimum qualifications as described in Rule 23, Academy Skills Instructors.

	(II)	Instructor files.

		(A)	A record or file that contains at least the following information shall be maintained for each instructor who teaches any portion of an academic class or skills training class:

			(1)	A resume or certificates of completion and/or other documentation that substantiates the instructor’s qualifications.

			(2)	Current contact information for the instructor that includes a work, home or cellular telephone number, and a work, home or electronic mailing address.

		(B)	Exception.  Licensed attorneys from the same office or firm may be included in one instructor file, as long as the file contains the names of all attorneys from that office or firm who provide instruction at the academy.

(III)	Instructor/course evaluations.

(A)	Trainees shall complete written evaluations for each instructor and/or course of instruction for all academic courses and skills training programs of the approved academy.

(B)	Either the P.O.S.T. Form 10, Instructor/Course Evaluation, or comparable academy forms and/or documents may be used for this purpose. 

(C)	The academy director shall determine the most meaningful format and method of administration of the instructor/course evaluations in order to monitor instructor quality and course content and to meet the needs of the individual academy. 

(h)	Duty to report.

(I)	In addition to any notifications that may be required administratively or under federal, state or local law, it shall be the duty of every academy director or the academy director’s designee to report the following events to P.O.S.T. immediately or as soon as practicable after the event:

		(A)	Any death, gunshot wound or serious bodily injury that occurs to any person whose death, gunshot wound or serious bodily injury was either caused by, or may have been caused by, any training or activity associated with the academy; or

		(B)	Any bodily injury that occurs to any person who is not affiliated with the academy, i.e., an innocent bystander, whose bodily injury was either caused by, or may have been caused by, any training or activity associated with the academy.

	(II)	Training to cease.  

(A)	In the event of any death or gunshot wound as described in paragraph (h)(I)(A) of this section, all training shall immediately cease at the training site where the death or gunshot wound occurred. 

(B)	Training may resume only after the Board or its designated representative(s) have ensured that the program is operating in compliance with P.O.S.T. Rules.

	(III)	Serious bodily injury means those injuries as defined in § 18-1-901(3)(p), C.R.S.

	(IV)	Bodily injury means those injuries as defined in § 18-1-901(3)(c), C.R.S.

(i)	Academy records requirements.

(I)	Trainee file.  During the academy, a file shall be maintained for each trainee or a systematic filing system must exist that contains at least the following records:

(A)	Trainee’s full legal name and date of birth; and

(B)	Photocopy of the trainee’s high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate; and

(C)	Photocopy of the trainee’s valid driver’s license; and 

(D)	Form 11-E, Enrollment Advisory Form.

(II)	Trainee manual. 

(A)	Each academy shall maintain an up-to-date trainee manual.  At a minimum, the trainee manual shall contain the academy’s rules and regulations, academic requirements, attendance policies and site safety plans.

(B)	Upon entry into the academy, each trainee should be issued a copy of the trainee manual and acknowledge receipt of the manual in writing. 

(III)	The following records shall be maintained at the academy and shall be readily available for inspection at any reasonable time by the Board or its designated representative(s).

		(A)	A completed Form 11-E,  Enrollment Advisory Form, for each trainee enrolled in the academy in progress; and

		(B)	Current trainee manual; and

		(C)	Current lesson plans; and

		(D)	Current source material; and

		(E)	Instructor files for current instructors; and

		(F)	Copies of all site safety plans; and 

		(G)	Trainee files for the academy in progress and the previously completed academy; and

		(H)	Attendance records for the academy in progress and the previously completed academy; and

		(I)	Instructor/course evaluations for the academy in progress and the previously completed academy.

     	(IV)	All academy records must be retained for at least the three (3) year period as required by the Uniform Records Retention Act, § 6-17-101, et seq., C.R.S.