Published: Tue, 01/24/2017 - 3:21pm
POST is undergoing several changes, most notably in staffing. POST\'s recent audit identified some areas where POST could improve efficiencies by restructuring and adding some personnel to keep up with the current workload. Becky Calomino will be adding an accountant position to her Grant Services Division team. This position will review, analyze and process electronic records (data), grant information/applications and grant award documents. Carolyn Berry was recently transferred to the position of Compliance Services Manager, which will oversee all compliance-related elements within POST. Robert Baker has been transferred to the position of Training Services Division Manager. Two new positions will exist in this division. These positions will assist with ensuring compliance with the annual continuing education training, the supervision of POST-created curriculum mandated by statute and the supervision of training efforts of Colorado peace officers related to marijuana law education and enforcement.
Earlier this week, I sent out a document explaining HB 15-1287, or § C.R.S. 24-31-302. This is the mandate that states every full-time, part-time, and reserve peace officer in the State of Colorado is required to train in Proper Holds and Restraints, Anti-Bias training, Community Policing/Community Partnership training and De-Escalation training. Each of these topics is a two-hour block and all four must be completed by July 1, 2017. After the first year, officers must complete the training as a two-year cycle, completing three of the four topics in year one and then alternating the fourth topic in year two. This two-year cycle must be repeated every five years. I know this is terribly confusing and POST is trying to understand it also. I have heard from many of you that you will just train all four topics each year. Remember that these hours can also go towards your Rule 28 (mandatory 24 hours in-service training). The biggest challenge, I hope each of you realize, is that if an officer is non-compliant with § C.R.S. 24-31-302 (HB 15-1287), the POST Board shall suspend that officer\'s certification until the training has been met. Again, for this cycle you have until July 1, 2017 to have each officer receive a total of eight hours of training in the previously mentioned four topics.
Speaking of Rule 28, we have created a Waiver Request Form that we hope makes any waiver requests a much easier process. If you have an officer that needs a waiver request for partial year employment, medical leave, military leave, or any of the perishable skills, please go to the POST website In-service Training page and complete the Rule 28 Waiver Request Form. Waiver Forms must be received by POST prior to December 31st of each year. After you electronically submit this form, POST staff will route it accordingly.
Also pertaining to Rule 28, please note that the POST Board added clarification to vague legislative language. Perishable skills training shall consist of a minimum of twelve hours. The minimum twelve hours must include all three of the perishable skills, arrest control, driving and firearms. The breakdown of hours is not important, as long as the total number of hours in perishable skills is at least twelve. The good news is that ALL of the twenty four hours of training are what the Sheriff, Chief or CEO determines is relevant and important training for your agency.
Law enforcement and other first responders around Colorado are increasingly responding to instances of opioid overdose in our communities. The availability of high-potency heroin, synthetic opioids, and opioid prescription medications has reached epidemic proportions resulting in increasing numbers of overdoses and deaths. Naloxone is a life-saving drug that can stem the tide of opioid-related deaths by the simple use of a nasal inhaler. Commonly called Narcan, the drug can be easily administered to a person experiencing overdose thus providing crucial time for the person to receive further medical attention and future intervention. A 2-hour class will be offered two to three times in each location depending on demand and is open to all first responders, including fire EMS and hospital personnel. Each session is limited to 40 but if a waitlist develops, other sessions may be added. This course will train first responders on how to properly identify symptoms and conditions of opioid overdose. Attendees from 17 identified counties will be trained in the proper methods to administer Narcan, as well as be provided Narcan nasal-inhalers to take back for immediate use on the street.
The instructors will offer train-the-trainer content so agencies can provide this important training in-house in the future. Although LEO's from outside of the 17 county regions will not be provided the Narcan inhalers, they are encouraged to attend the training, including the train-the-trainer instruction to take back to their agencies. Law enforcement personal and first responders from any target county jurisdiction that attends the training will be provided a Narcan Rescue Kit. Here is the link for training schedule from the County sheriffs of Colorado and registration links for law enforcement. https://csoc.org/classes/
Finally, I wanted to pass on some free training that is being offered by the Colorado District Attorneys\' Council regarding the new strangulation statute. The eight minute video, "Implementing House Bill 1080 - Assault by Strangulation," covers the 2016 changes directly relating to strangulation. If you are interested, please have one representative from your agency email Mallory@cdac.state.co.us with the following information:
Agency:
Contact name:
Contact email address:
Number of certified officers/civilians to view the video:
Once CDAC receives your email, they will send access to the video file and handouts to the contact person within your department. It is important for their grant funding that they have an accurate count of how many persons view the recorded course. I hope many of you take advantage of this free training.
As always, I welcome your feedback.
Cory Amend