The Sisyphus Comments

Virginia Criminal Justice Certification Rules

I discussed this issue on the CopCAST podcast but I also want to address it in the blog since the it keeps coming up. The issue is the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) regulation pertaining to the certification of officers, deputies and dispatchers, which is one of the most misundersood regulations.

Many people don?t understand that in Virginia you must be employed by a criminal justice agency in order to be certified. Once a certified individual leaves his employment with a police department or sheriff?s office they are not longer certified ? regardless of their in-service training status.

Basically when you resign from your agency a clock starts. If you return within 24 months, you must comply with the same compulsory in-service standards as you would have had you not left employment.

If you return within 24 – 36 months, you have 120 days to complete and in-service and up to a year to complete any field training.

One you are out of employment for 36 – 48 months the criteria includes certain portions of the entry level course. After 48 months, you generally have to re-attend the entire entry level course.

So basically it is inaccurate for a person who is not employed by a Virginia criminal justice agency to say they are certified. If they have previously met all of the entry level standards, including the field training requirements, they should tell prospective employers they are ?qualified? for certification.

As always, if you have questions about this or any other regulation, contact your academy staff or DCJS.