Rule 1 – Definitions
Revised December 8, 2006, Effective March 1, 2007

As used in these rules:

(a)	“Academy director” means that person responsible for the administration and operation of a P.O.S.T. approved academy.

(b)	“Applicant” means any person formally seeking approval by the Board.

(c)	“Appointed” means sworn in and serving as a peace officer or reserve peace officer.

(d)	“Approved” means formally accepted or authorized by the Board.

(e)	“A.C.T.” means Arrest Control Tactics, one of the skills training programs required for the basic and reserve training academies.

(f)	“Assistant Skills Instructor” means an individual who has successfully completed a relevant approved skills training program and who may instruct the corresponding skills training program in arrest control, law enforcement driving or firearms under the direction and  in the presence of a full skills instructor, and assist in evaluating and coaching trainees at a basic or reserve training academy.

(g)	“Board” means the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.

(h)	“Bodily injury” means physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical or mental condition.  § 18-1-901(3)(c), C.R.S. (2005).

(i)	“Certification examination” means the written test required under § 24-31-305(1)(a)(III), C.R.S. (2005).

(j)	“Certified peace officer” means any person who has successfully attained P.O.S.T. Certification as described in § 24-31-305 and 24-31-308. C.R.S. (2005).

(k)	“Conditional peace officer authority” means a signed instrument issued by the P.O.S.T. Board that allows a graduate of a P.O.S.T. approved basic peace officer training program to serve as a fully authorized peace officer as described in § 24-31-301(3.5), C.R.S. (2005).

(l)	“Conviction” means an adjudication of guilt following either a verdict of guilty by the court or jury, or a plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere.  Conviction includes deferred judgments and deferred sentences.  

(m)	“Course” means a formal unit of instruction relating to a particular subject.

(n)	“C.R.S.” means Colorado Revised Statutes, codified laws of the State of Colorado.

(o)	“Director” means the director of the P.O.S.T. Board staff.

(p)	“Enroll” means that a person has applied to and been accepted for admission into an academy and is physically present at the academy to receive instruction.

(q)	“Enrollment date” means the first day of instruction at an approved basic or reserve training academy, and shall be synonymous with the first day of instruction as reflected on the approved academy schedule.

(r)	“Fingerprint-based criminal history record check” means submittal of a P.O.S.T. fingerprint card to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for criminal history check in CCIC and NCIC, as required in § 24-31-304(3), C.R.S. (2005).

(s)	“Full skills instructor” means an individual who has successfully completed the minimum qualifications required by these Rules and who may develop, implement and evaluate a skills training program at a basic or reserve training academy.

(t)	“Lateral training academy” means an agency-specific approved academy that instructs academic courses determined by the agency and all hours of the P.O.S.T. skills training programs in arrest control, law enforcement driving and firearms.

(u)	“Lead skills instructor” means a full skills instructor at a basic or reserve training academy who may be designated by the academy director to oversee or coordinate the administration of a specific skills program for a particular academy class.   

(v)	“Lesson plan” means a document that specifically describes the material presented during a course of instruction.

(w)	“Moving training” means training where the academy students are involved in movement with a loaded weapon.  It is recognized that during square range drills, academy students may move 1-2 steps laterally or forward/backward.  The 1:1 ratio is not required for this drill.  For all other drills/exercises involving movement a 1:1 ratio is required. 

(x)	“Operable firearm” means a firearm that is capable of discharging a projectile (bullet) if loaded. 

(y)(w)	“Police Patrol vehicle” means any vehicle, engineered for pursuit and high speed driving, as identified and tested within the Michigan State Patrol Police Vehicle Testing Program, and/or used and recognized by Colorado law enforcement agencies.

(z)(x)	“Peace officer” means any person recognized in § 16-2.5-101, C.R.S. (2005).

(aa)(y)	“P.O.S.T. certified” means any person possessing a valid, numbered certificate issued by the Board authorizing such person to serve as a peace officer or reserve peace officer.

(bb)(z)	“P.O.S.T. fingerprint card” means a U.S. GPO: 2001 483-800/2-02321 FD-258 (Rev. 5-11-99) Applicant fingerprint card.  The P.O.S.T. fingerprint card is stamped with the P.O.S.T. logo and address in the employer and address block, and stamped with “Law Enforcement Licensing (Must be submitted by a Law Enforcement Agency) § 24-31-303(1)(F), C.R.S.”.

(cc)(aa)	“P.O.S.T. Identification Number” means a number assigned and unique to each active peace officer’s certification file.  All inquiries and correspondence to P.O.S.T. should contain this number.

(dd)(bb)	“P.O.S.T. ID Card” means an identification card with a unique identification number issued by the P.O.S.T. Board to all active peace officers who are certified by P.O.S.T. under Article 16, Section 2.5 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.  The P.O.S.T. ID Card contains personal information related to the officer’s P.O.S.T. certification file and history.

(ee)(cc)	“Program director” means that person responsible for the administration and operation of a P.O.S.T. approved training program.

(ff)(dd)		“Provisional certification” means a signed instrument issued by the P.O.S.T. Board that grants interim certification for qualified out-of-state peace officers seeking Colorado certification that enables the provisional applicant to obtain appointment as a peace officer in Colorado while fulfilling the requirements for basic certification.

(gg)(ee)	“Recognized disciplines for arrest control training” mean those defensive tactics systems that have been reviewed and approved by the Board in consultation with the Arrest Control Subject Matter Expert Committee.  Such systems may include, but are not limited to, Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) system, Koga system and Pressure Point Control Tactics (P.P.C.T.) system. 

(hh)(ff)		“Refresher academy” means an approved training program that consists of a minimum of 88 hours of instruction and includes academics or a P.O.S.T. Board approved web based distance learning program, law enforcement driving and firearms. 

(ii)(gg)		“Relevant approved skills instructor training program” means a basic, not advanced, instructor training program that contains a minimum of forty (40) hours of instruction and with instructional content that meets or exceeds the content of the respective instructor training programs for arrest control, law enforcement driving or firearms, and that has been formally accepted or authorized by the Board. 

(jj)(hh)	 	“Renewal applicant” means an applicant whose Colorado peace officer certificate has expired per § 24-31-305(1.7)(b), C.R.S. (2005), and who has applied to renew his/her Colorado peace officer certificate in accordance with § 24-31-305(1.7)(c), C.R.S. (2005) and P.O.S.T. Rule 13.

(kk)(ii)		“Reserve peace officer” means any person described in § 16-2.5-110, C.R.S. (2005), and includes any person authorized to carry a firearm, conduct arrests, or enforce the laws of the state of Colorado pursuant to § 16-2.5-110, C.R.S. (2005), but does not include any person appointed by a sheriff limited to particular acts pursuant to § 30-10-506 and 510, C.R.S. (2005).

(ll)(jj)		”Serious bodily injury” means bodily injury which, either at the time of the actual injury or at a later time, involves a substantial risk of death, a substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement, a substantial risk of protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body, or breaks, fractures, or burns of the second or third degree.  § 18-1-901(3)(p), C.R.S. (2005).

(mm)(kk)	“Skills examination” means the approved practical test of an applicant's proficiency in arrest control, law enforcement driving, or firearms.

(nn)(ll)		“Skills-only training academy” means an approved academy instructing arrest control, law enforcement driving and firearms, which meets the skills requirements under the P.O.S.T. basic curriculum and these Rules.

(oo)(mm)	“Skills training” means the required approved arrest control, law enforcement driving, and firearms courses.

(pp)(nn)	“State” means any State in the United States, the District of Columbia, and any territory or possession of the United States.

(qq)(oo)	“Subject matter expert (S.M.E.)” means an individual formally recognized by the Board for his or her extensive knowledge, expertise and/or experience in one of the skills areas or in academics.

(rr)(pp)	“Successful completion” means a score of seventy (70) percent or greater, or a grade of “C” or better, or a rating of pass, if offered as pass/fail.

(ss)(qq)	“Test-out” means the process through which qualified provisional or renewal applicants attempt to demonstrate skills proficiency in arrest control, law enforcement driving and firearms curriculum.

(tt)(rr)		“Training academy” means a P.O.S.T. approved school, agency or other entity that provides P.O.S.T. approved training programs.

(qq)(ss)	“Training program” means a P.O.S.T. approved course of instruction required by statute, or Rule, or for peace officer certification and other peace officer training programs as otherwise recognized and approved by the Board.

Rule 19 – Vehicle Identification Number Inspectors
Revised December 8, 2006 - Effective March 1 2007

Any person seeking certification as a Vehicle Identification Number Inspector must meet each of the following requirements:

(a)	Possess either basic or reserve certification  Currently serving as a peace officer recognized in Title 16, Article 2.5 of the Colorado Revised Statutes; and

(b)	Be currently serving as a peace officer or reserve peace officer; and

(b)(c)	Successfully completes and submits his/her certificate of completion from an approved Vehicle Identification Number course; and 

(c)(d)	Pay to the P.O.S.T. Board a certification fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) in the form of a certified check, money order or agency check; and

(d)(e)	Completes and submits the P.O.S.T. Form 9 – Application for VIN Inspector Certification; and

(e)	Be certified by the P.O.S.T. Board as a VIN inspector.

Rule 21 – Basic and Reserve Training Academies
Revised December 8, 2006 - Effective March 1, 2007

(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 shall 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, 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)  	For arrest control training, if the schedule displays either more 	than eight (8) hours of instruction in any one day, or more than 	eight (8) hours of instruction in any two (2) consecutive days, a 	designation of lab and lecture hours shall be noted; and  

			(3) (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 notify P.O.S.T. prior to the occurrence of any of the 	following:

	(A)	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; or .

      	(B)	For skills training, any change of a skills training date, or 

      	(C)	For skills training, any change of a skills training site; or

	(D)	For arrest control training, any change of arrest control discipline; or

(E)	Any combination of changes that a reasonable person would 				believe substantially alters the schedule.

	(VI)	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 preapproval 			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, facilities 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 by an academy for the type of 					training for which the site was approved during any consecutive three (3) 				year period, 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 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 instruction must have an up-to-			date written site safety plan present on site during any academy training at 			the site; and 

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

		(C)	Each site safety plan shall include, as applicable to the site, emergency medical procedures and policies or procedures for responding to accidents and injuries that are probable or likely to occur at the site; and  

	      	(D)	All academy staff 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 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 required academic  				courses Basic Academic Training Program and each of the skills 			training programs with a minimum score of seventy percent (70%); 			or 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. 

			(2) (3)	Each academy may apply a standard that is greater than 					seventy percent (70%) for either the academic portion of the 				academy and/or any portion of any of the skills training 					programs.  However, if   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)	For trainees: Written 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. 
 
		(D)	For skills instructors: Written attendance records that are accurate 				and up-to-date shall be kept for all skills instructors present during 				each skills training session and who are being utilized to fulfill the 				required ratios of instructors to trainees.  

	(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; and .

	(7)	A list of any source or reference material that will be used as a 	basis of the instruction or to instruct the course. 

(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. 

		(B)	For source material identified as recommended source material in the current P.O.S.T. Curriculum Bibliography and for all other publications or multimedia that are actually used or referenced as a basis of instruction or to instruct the required Academic Training Program, 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. 

(C)	All source material, including required, recommended or other, that is used as a basis of instruction must be available to the trainees and in appropriate quantities relative to the number of trainees.  If Internet access is utilized, there must be a sufficient number of computers to accommodate the number of trainees.    

(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 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. (2005) (2006).

	(IV)	Bodily injury means those injuries as defined in § 18-1-901(3)(c), C.R.S. (2005) (2006).

(i)	Academy records requirements.

       	(I) 	Trainee file.  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. (2005) (2006).

Rule 23 – Academy Skills Instructors 
 Revised December 8, 2006 - Effective July 1, 2007

(a)	Recognition of academy skills instructors.
	
	(I)	A skills instructor may be recognized to teach at an approved academy as 	either an assistant skills instructor or a full skills instructor in each of the 	three (3) required skills training programs:  arrest control, law enforcement 	driving, and firearms.

	(II)	All skills instructors who teach any portion of a skills training program at a 		P.O.S.T. approved basic or reserve training academy shall be qualified and 	approved as required by this Rule. 

   	(III)	Each academy shall maintain 	the applicable certificates of completion 			and/or documentation for all skills instructors.  

     	(IV)	New academies requesting P.O.S.T. approval and P.O.S.T. approved 	academies that have not conducted an academy within the previous three 	(3) years shall 	submit the appropriate documentation to P.O.S.T. and 	obtain approval for all assistant skills instructors and all full skills 	instructors. 

(b)	Assistant skills instructors.  

	(I)	An assistant skills instructor may instruct under the direction and in the 	presence of a full skills instructor and assist in evaluating and coaching 	trainees.

	(II)	Minimum qualifications for an assistant skills instructor:

		(A)	In order to begin serving or to serve as an assistant skills instructor, a 	person 	must have successfully completed the relevant approved 	skills instructor training program (See Rule 1, Definitions.); and 

 		(B)	For arrest control skills instructors, the relevant approved skills 			instructor training program shall be the same recognized discipline 			for arrest control training in which the person will be instructing.

	(C)	Effective July 1, 2007, for  firearms skills instructors, the relevant 	skills instructor training program shall have been completed within 	five (5) years prior to application for skills instructor status.  If the 	relevant approved skills instructor training program was completed 	more than five years prior to application, documentation of 	continuing or advanced training completed within the previous five 	(5) years shall be included with the application for instructor 	status.
			
	(III)	Approval of assistant skills instructors. 

	(A)	Al new assistant firearms skills instructors shall be approved by 	P.O.S.T., and 

	(B)	For all new firearms skills instructors, the relevant 	skills 	instructor training program shall have been completed within 	five (5) years prior to application for skills instructor status.  If the 	relevant approved skills instructor training program was completed 	more than five years prior to application, documentation of 	continuing or advanced training completed within the previous five 	(5) years shall be included with the application for instructor 	status.

	(C)(A)	P.O.S.T. will review certificates of completion and/or 	documentation for arrest control and driving assistant skills 	instructors only when an academy director or new assistant skills 	instructor applicant is not certain that a particular instructor 	training program qualifies as the relevant approved skills instructor 	training program; 

	(D)(B)	Either the academy director or the assistant skills instructor 	applicant may 	submit the certificates of completion and/or 	documentation to P.O.S.T. for review.

(c)	Full skills instructors.  

(I)	A full skills instructor may develop, implement, and evaluate a skills training program.  In order to begin serving or to serve as a full skills instructor, a person 	must have satisfied the four (4) three (3) minimum qualifications listed in the following paragraph (II).    

	(II)	Minimum qualifications for a full skills instructor:

	(A)	Successful completion of the relevant approved skills instructor 	training program (See Rule 1, Definitions.); and 

		(B)	Successful completion of an approved forty (40) hour instruction 	methodology training program or possession of a Colorado Career 	and Technical Education Credential; and 

		(C)	Must complete an approved 8-hour Instructor Methodology 	Refresher Course each five (5) years thereafter, and 

		(C)(D)	Completion of a minimum of eighty (80) hours of instructional 	experience as an assistant skills instructor at an approved basic or 	reserve training academy in the corresponding skills training 	program:  arrest control, law enforcement driving, or firearms.  For 	arrest control training, the eighty (80) hours may be completed 	in any recognized discipline(s) for arrest control training in which the 	instructor has completed the relevant approved skills instructor 	training program.  For firearms training, the eighty (80) hours as 	an assistant skills instructor shall be completed within the previous 	five (5) years prior to application.

      	(III)	Approval of full skills instructors.

(A)	Effective June 1, 2004, All first-time full skills instructors at each academy must be approved by the Board in consultation with the corresponding subject 	matter expert committee(s) for arrest control, law enforcement driving or firearms prior to serving as a full skills instructor.  

	(B)	For all firearms skills instructors, the relevant skills instructor 	training program shall have been completed within 	five (5) years 	prior to application for skills instructor status.  If the relevant 	approved skills instructor training program was completed 	more 	than five years prior to application, documentation of 	continuing or advanced training completed within the previous five 	(5) years shall be included with the application for instructor 	status.

(C)(B)	To apply for approval as a full skills instructor, either the academy director or the full skills instructor applicant, if the applicant has no current academy affiliation, shall submit the appropriate documentation to P.O.S.T. to substantiate the four (4) three (3) minimum qualifications have been satisfied. 

	      	(D)(C)	A written statement from the director of the academy where the applicant served as an assistant skills instructor is acceptable documentation as it applies to the eighty (80) hour requirement.  The statement must include the applicant’s full name and the dates and number of hours of the applicant’s completed instructional experience.

                 	(E)(D)  Instructional experience completed at other than an approved basic 	or reserve training academy may be considered as part of the eighty 	(80) hour requirement.  However, the full skills instructor applicant 	must request a 	variance in accordance with P.O.S.T. Rule 7, 	Variances, and the applicant may be required to appear in person 	before the appropriate subject matter expert committee to 	demonstrate skills instructional proficiency. 

	     	(F)(E)	The completed documents received at P.O.S.T. will be reviewed by P.O.S.T. in consultation with the appropriate subject matter expert committee during the committee’s next regularly scheduled meeting.

		(G)(F)	P.O.S.T. will provide written notification to the academy director or the full skills instructor applicant who submitted the documents as to whether the applicant was approved or denied approval as a full skills instructor.

(d)	Lead skills instructors.   

	(I)	A lead skills instructor is a full skills instructor who may be designated by 	the academy director to oversee or coordinate the administration of a 	specific skills 	program of a particular academy class.

	(II)	Lead skills instructors require no additional approval by P.O.S.T. beyond 	approval as a full skills instructor. 
	
	(III)	P.O.S.T. will review certificates of completion and/or documentation for lead skills instructors only as such documentation pertains to approval as a full skills instructor.  

(e)	Any applicant denied approval under section (b) or (c) of this Rule may appeal such denial in writing to the Director within ten days of notification of denial.

Rule 24 – Skills Training Safety and Skills Program Requirements
for Basic and Reserve Academies
Revised December 8, 2006 - Effective July 1, 2007

(a)	All skills training for arrest control, law enforcement driving and firearms.

(I)	All hours of skills instruction must be documented by the block of instruction, date and hours of instruction to distinguish between lab and lecture, and instructor and student attendance roster.

(II)(I)		For all hours of all skills training programs, except as specified in (b)(VII), 100% attendance and participation are mandatory.

(III)(II)	There must be at least one full skills instructor present at the site of instruction for each skills training session, excluding lecture-only sessions conducted in a classroom setting.

(IV)(III)	Each academy may apply a higher standard for successful completion of any portion of any skills training program that is greater than seventy percent (70%) for arrest control and driving, eighty percent (80%)for firearms.  If such a higher standard is applied, the higher standard must be described in the respective skills lesson plan for arrest control, law enforcement driving or firearms, and in the Trainee Manual. 

(b)	Arrest control training.

(I)	There must be at least one arrest control instructor for every ten (10) trainees (i.e., 1:10 ratio) during any practicum or lab session.

(II)	No practicum or lab session may exceed eight (8) hours in any one-day, . nor may the total hours of practicum or lab sessions exceed eight (8) hours in any consecutive two-day period.

(III)	Mats or mat coverings must be serviceable and cleaned on a regular basis with an appropriate cleansing agent and/or disinfectant.

(IV)	Only those arrest control disciplines that have been reviewed and approved as recognized disciplines for arrest control training are acceptable instruction for the Arrest Control Training Program. 

(V)	Each academy shall ensure that all arrest control instructors maintain current certification for the academy’s arrest control discipline in accordance with the standards for recertification, if any, of the recognized discipline for arrest control training.

(VI)	All students must successfully complete a skills test out in accordance with the discipline being taught.  If the program does not have a student test out then each student at a minimum must successfully complete the arrest control skills test as used in the provisional/renewal of certification process.

(VII)	All students must complete the required sixty-two (62) hours of training before a test out.

(VIII) All students must attend 100% of the required sixty-two (62) hours of Arrest Control Training and no less than 95% of the hours of any course exceeding the established sixty-two hour requirement.

(IX)	All academy Arrest Control Training programs must be comprised of at least 60% lab hours.

(c)	Law enforcement driving training.

(I)	There must be at least one driving track vehicle and one law enforcement driving instructor for every six (6) trainees (i.e., 1:6 ratio) during any instruction at the track.

(II)	Academy directors shall ensure that no trainee be permitted to participate in a law enforcement driving program unless the trainee possesses a valid driver’s license.

(III)	There must be at least one (1) fully charged five (5) pound size or larger, dry chemical, Class ABC fire extinguisher on site during any instruction at the track.

(IV)	Prior to receiving any nighttime Law Enforcement Driving Program instruction at the track, each trainee shall receive a minimum of twelve (12) hours of daylight driving instruction at the track.

(d)	Firearms training.
 
(I)	There must be at least one firearms instructor for every four (4) trainees enrolled in the program (i.e., 1:4 ratio) anytime a trainee is handling an operable firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, at any location, including in the classroom and at the range, except as noted in the following paragraphs (II) and (III) or in the Firearms Training Program.  This 1:4 instructor to student ratio shall not include the instructor running the range exercise.

(II)	No range exercise and/or lab session may exceed eight (8) hours in any one day.

(III)	(II) For all dim light shooting that involves moving training and live fire, there must be at least one firearms instructor for each one trainee participating in the program (i.e., 1:1 ratio).  This 1:1 instructor to student ratio shall not include the instructor running the range exercise.

(IV)	(III) For all tactical exercises and decisional scenarios that involve moving training and live fire, there must be at least one firearms instructor for each one trainee participating in the program (i.e., 1:1 ratio).  This 1:1 instructor to student ratio shall not include the instructor running the range exercise.

(V)	(IV) Only P.O.S.T. approved firearms instructors and not agency trained safety officers may be utilized to satisfy the minimum ratios of firearms instructors to trainees. 

(VI)	(V) Prior to receiving any dim light firearms instruction at the range, each trainee shall receive a minimum of forty (40) hours of Firearms Training Program instruction, to include at least eight (8) hours of classroom lecture and thirty-two (32) hours of daylight live range instruction.

(VII)	(VI) Only high-visibility, fluorescent colored “dummy” ammunition may be used for any weapons handling other than actual live fire shooting.  
	
(VIII)	(VII) Trainees must be provided written and oral reminders over the course of the training of the four (4) firearms safety rules:  
 	
	(A)	All weapons must be treated as if they are always loaded; and
	
(B)	Never let the muzzle of a weapon point at anything you are not willing to destroy; and

(C)	Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until the sights are on the target and you are prepared to shoot; and

(D)	Always be certain of the target and beyond.

(IX)	(VIII) all trainees must be familiar with the four (4) firearms safety rules prior to handling any operable firearm.

(X)	(IX)Each trainee must fire a minimum of one thousand (1,000) live rounds of handgun ammunition in a single weapons system, revolver or semi-automatic, before completing the program. 

(XI)	Effective July 1, 2007, for the official P.O.S.T. Handgun Tactical Qualification Course, only the approved P.O.S.T. target shall be used.  Target selection for the remainder of the Firearms Training Program shall be at the discretion of the individual academies.

Rule 27 – Retired Law Enforcement Officer Authority to Carry Concealed Firearms
Revised December 8, 2006 - Effective March 1, 2007

Pursuant to Chapter 44 of Title 18, United States Code, § 926C, the ‘Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act of 2004’, and notwithstanding any other provision of the laws of the State of Colorado or any political subdivision thereof, an individual who is a qualified retired law enforcement officer, who is carrying the identification required and has met the firearms qualification requirements may carry a concealed firearm.  This rule does not govern the issuance of the required identification/certification by a Colorado law enforcement agency for their retirees, but is limited to the issuance of a firearms qualification certification for those retirees from another agency. 

I.	Retirees from Another Agency

(a)	Colorado Concealed Weapons Permit.

(I)	Nothing in this rule will prohibit a retired law enforcement officer from seeking and obtaining a concealed weapons permit pursuant to Title 18, Article 12, Section 2, C.R.S. (2006).

(b)	Federal Eligibility Requirements for Retired Law Enforcement Officers.

(I)	It will be the responsibility of the retired peace officer to determine if he/she meets the criteria of being a “qualified retired law enforcement officer.”  As used in this rule, the term “qualified retired law enforcement officer” means an individual who:

(A)	Retired in good standing from service with a public agency as a law enforcement officer, other than for reasons of mental instability; and

(B)	Before such retirement, was authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for any violation of law and had statutory powers of arrest:

(1)	Before such retirement was regularly employed as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 15 years or more; or

(2)	Retired from service with such agency after completing any applicable probationary period of such service, due to a service-connected disability as determined by such agency; and

(C)	Has a non-forfeitable right to benefits under the retirement plan of the agency; and

(D)	During the most recent 12-month period has met, at the expense of the individual, the State standard for training and qualification to carry firearms; and

(E)	Is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance; and

(F)	Is not prohibited by any State or Federal law from receiving or possessing a firearm.

(II)	The identification required by both Federal law and this rule shall include:

(A)	A photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual retired from service as a law enforcement officer; and

(B)	A certification card issued by the State (P.O.S.T.) through the a Sheriff of the county in which the individual resides that indicates that the individual has, not less recently than one year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearms, been tested or otherwise found to meet the standards established by P.O.S.T. for retired law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type (manufacturer/model/caliber) as the concealed firearm; and

(C)	The identification and certification card listed above shall be carried by the retired officer, along with a valid photographic identification, at all times during which the retired officer is in actual possession of a concealed weapon.  The retired officer, upon demand by any law enforcement officer, shall produce these documents.

(c)	Training and Qualification for Retired Law Enforcement Officers.

(I)	The retired officer, at his/her individual expense, shall not less recently than one year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearms, been tested or otherwise found by the State through the a Sheriff of the county that the retired officer resides, to meet the standards established by the State for training and qualification for retired officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm.

(II)	To obtain a certification card, the retired officer shall submit an application in person on a statewide standardized form developed by the County Sheriffs of Colorado and available from each Sheriff, to the a Sheriff of the county or city and county in which the applicant resides.  For this rule, the term Sheriff means the elected Sheriff, the person fulfilling the duties of the Office of Sheriff in a city/county, or the Sheriff’s designee.
	
(III)	The retired officer shall sign the completed application form in person before the Sheriff.  The Sheriff shall verify that the person making the application is the same person who appears in any photograph submitted and the same person who signed the application form.  To verify the retired law enforcement officer’s identity, the applicant shall present to the Sheriff the applicant’s valid Colorado driver’s license and the photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual retired from service as a law enforcement officer.

(d)	Sheriff Actions to Qualify Retired Law Enforcement Officers.

(I)	Prior to allowing a retired officer to qualify for concealed carry authorization, agencies must verify the following information:

(A)	The retired officers’ full name, date of birth and address; and

(B)	The validity of the “Retired Law Enforcement Officer Identification” the individual presents; and

(C)	The individual meets the federal legal requirements to possess and/or carry a firearm (not a prohibited person); and

(D)	There are no active wants or warrants associated with the individual.

	(II)	The verification, at a minimum, shall include requesting the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to conduct a search of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and a search of the State Integrated Criminal Justice Information System to determine whether the applicant meets the criteria specified. 

	(III)	During renewals, the verification shall not require a search of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

(e)	The retired officer is responsible for the cost of completing this process.
	
	(I)	The Sheriff may charge a fee not to exceed one hundred dollars for processing the application and administering the qualification.

	(II) 	In addition, the Sheriff shall collect a fee for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for conducting a search of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

(f)	The qualification course established by the State (P.O.S.T.) for use by the Sheriff in determining qualification for retired law enforcement officers shall be as follows:

(I)	The retired officer must demonstrate safety and proficiency in the handling of the firearm by shooting a minimum of 80% on the qualification course and abiding by all firearms safety rules during the live fire qualification.

(II)	Qualification.

(A)	Targets authorized for this qualification course are:

(1)	DOE 15, TQ15 – areas designated as the 5 and 4 scoring rings will be scored as 5 points.

(2)	TQ19 – the gray portion of the target will be scored as 5 points.

(3)	B-21 – the “K-5” section will be scored as 5 points.

(4)	IPSC – the “A” and “C” zones will be scored as 5 points.

(5)	DPD 811 – the two center scoring rings will be scored as 5 points.

(6)	Other targets may be submitted to the Firearms SME Committee for approval by an agency.

(7)	Any shots striking an area other than those listed above will be scored as 0 points.

(B)	Scoring – a total of 20 rounds will be required to complete the course.  Shots will count “5 points” or “0 points.”  A maximum possible score will be 100 points and a minimum passing score will be 80 points, with a maximum of 3 formal attempts.

(C) 	General information and definition of terms:

			(1)	Close Combat – position is one handed, elbow over the hip and the arm is not extended.

(2)	Draw – starting with the weapon in the holster.

(3)	Ready – the muzzle of the weapon is pointed below the target with the trigger finger outside the trigger guard and extended along the side of frame or slide.

(4)	The designated head shot will count as 5 points and must strike the circle to count.
(5)	There are no alibis for failure to shoot within the time limits.

(6)	At the discretion of the instructor, alibis are allowed for immediate action malfunctions.

		(D)	Course of fire:

Range	# Rds	Time	Description	
1 yard	5	 10 sec.	Draw.  Fire 2 rounds close combat, 2 body and 1 head shot, (two handed) while taking 2 steps back.	
3 yards	3	 7 sec.	Draw.  2 steps right while firing.	
3 yards	3	 7 sec.	Draw.  2 steps left while firing.	
5 yards	2	 5 sec	Standing ready. Right hand only.	
5 yards	2	 5 sec.	Standing ready.  Left hand only.  	
7 yards	5 	 10 sec.	Draw. Fire 5 rounds (two hand grip)	

(g)	Maintenance of Authority – Address Change, Loss, Theft or Destruction of Identification.

(I)	Within thirty days after a retired officer changes the address used at the time of certification, or within three business days after the retired officer’s certification is lost, stolen or destroyed the individual shall notify the Sheriff.

(II)	If the retired officer’s certification is lost, stolen or destroyed the individual will be responsible for obtaining a duplicate or substitute certificate from the agency that last qualified the officer.  The issuing agency may charge for the replacement certification, not to exceed fifteen dollars.

(h)	Renewal of the Authority to Carry Concealed Firearms

(I)	Pursuant to the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act of 2004, the authority to carry concealed weapons must be renewed annually, at the expense of the individual, through the successful completion of the approved firearms qualification course.  Failure to successfully complete the course will cause the authority to carry concealed firearms to be rescinded.

(II)	Within thirty days prior to the expiration of the certification, the retired officer shall successfully complete the approved firearms qualification course.  The retired officer may also be required to complete an application as determined by the issuing Sheriff.

(i)	Revocation for Cause

(I)	In the event the sheriff is notified that the retired peace officer fails to meet any of 	the certification requirements or no longer meets the requirements, the sheriff shall revoke the certification card.

II.	Home Agency Retirees

(a)	Agency Chief Law Enforcement Officers, or their designees, from municipal
	and state law enforcement agencies may utilize this process in lieu of agency 	qualification standards for their retirees.

(b)	Agency Chief Law Enforcement Officers may obtain the state certification cards through P.O.S.T. for identifying their retirees as qualified to carry a firearm.