§ 203.72. Certification requirements.
(a) Basic police training instructors.
(1) Types. The Commission will certify the following two types of instructors for basic police training:
(i) General instructors. An instructor eligible to teach any course other than first aid, CPR, firearms, physical conditioning, application of force and patrol vehicle operation.
(ii) Special instructors. An instructor eligible to teach first aid, CPR, firearms, physical conditioning, application of force and patrol vehicle operation.
(2) Qualifications.
(i) Attorneys licensed to practice in this Commonwealth or other instructors for topic areas that require professional education or licensure, need not meet the following requirements concerning police experience. To obtain certification as a general instructor, an applicant shall satisfy the following requirements:
(A) Successfully complete a Commission approved instructor development course, or possess a teaching certificate issued by the Department of Education, or have full-time employment with academic rank at an accredited college or university.
(B) Have 5 years police experience, or have an associate of arts degree and 4 years police experience, or have a bachelor of arts degree and 3 years police experience. Copies of degrees shall be accompanied by transcripts.
(ii) To obtain certification as a special instructor in one of the courses listed in this subparagraph, an applicant shall provide documentation evidencing the special requirements listed for each course:
(A) First aid and CPR. Possess a current instructor certification issued by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the Department of Health or other agency approved by the Department of Health (40 hour curriculum).
(B) Firearms. Possess a current Police Firearms Instructor rating from the National Rifle Association, the State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Smith and Wesson Academy, the Philadelphia Police Academy, United States Secret Service or other certification approved by the Commission.
(C) Physical conditioning. Provide documentation of successful completion of an instructor development course and training or education which evidences expertise as a physical conditioning instructor.
(D) Application of force. Provide documentation of successful completion of an instructor development course and training or education which evidences expertise as a defensive tactics instructor.
(E) Patrol vehicle operation. Provide documentation of successful completion of an instructor development course and an instructor’s course in emergency vehicle operation or police driver proficiency.
(3) Renewal and lapse of basic police training instructor certification.
(i) Basic police training instructor certification shall be valid for 2 years and each certificate shall contain an expiration date. An instructor may not be permitted to teach without a current certificate.
(ii) Renewal of basic police training instructor certification shall be effected automatically by the Commission if the certified instructor has satisfied the following requirements:
(A) Has taught in either a basic training course or a mandatory in-service training course certified by the Commission at least one time during the 2-year period they are certified, as evidenced by the records of a certified school which shall be submitted to the Commission on an annual basis.
(B) Maintained current qualifications in the main subject areas for which certification has been granted, and provides documentation of these qualifications to the Commission.
(iii) Failure to satisfy subparagraph (ii) shall prevent renewal of the instructor certification and cause the certification to expire. A lapsed certification may not be renewed and to regain certification, the school shall submit an application on behalf of the individual as a new instructor.
(b) Mandatory in-service training instructor qual-ifications. To obtain certification as a mandatory in-service training instructor, an applicant shall:
(1) Be employed by a certified basic training school.
(2) Be certified as a basic police training instructor in the area of instruction they will present, or satisfy one of the following:
(i) If not currently a basic police training certified instructor but eligible for certification, an application for certification shall be submitted to the Commission and a temporary certificate obtained. At the discretion of the Executive Director, a temporary certification may be issued which is valid for 6 months. Temporary certificates are not renewable.
(ii) When courses are offered in mandatory in-service training that are not available in the basic police training course, the Commission will determine requirements for selections as an instructor in the program.
(3) Have attended Commission instructor training programs for the courses in which certification is sought. Application for certification as a basic police training instructor shall be submitted to the Commission prior to attending any instructor training programs.
Cross References This section cited in 37 Pa. Code § 203.52 (relating to mandatory in-service training courses); and 37 Pa. Code § 203.71 (relating to general).
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