AB 04 Training

Washington County Sheriff's Office

SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Volume: AB Staff Management

Chapter: 04 Training

Replaces and/or Supersedes: AB 04 07/18/2012

Updated: 01/24/2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AB 04_101  Definitions

AB 04_102  General

AB 04_103  Training Credit

AB 04_104  Orientation Training

AB 04_105  Annual Training Plan

AB 04_106  Training Records

AB 04_101  DEFINITIONS

1. WCSO:  Washington County Sheriff's Office
2. PCF:  Purgatory Correctional Facility
3. POST:  Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training
4. UDC:  Utah Department of Corrections

AB 04_102  GENERAL

1. Policy:
   1. Staff should receive training related to their required duties.
   2. Officers should receive applicable training and POST certification before exercising duties as certified officers.
   3. Training should be a key staff development tool.
   4. Liability management should be a factor in determining training program requirements.
   5. Staff should be responsible for completing their individual training requirements.
   6. The Training Unit should conduct an annual training needs assessment. The needs assessment should be reviewed by the division chiefs.
2. Rationale:
   1. Staff cannot be expected to have proper understanding or abilities for tasks for which they have not received training.
   2. Comprehensive training provides a means for improving skills, capabilities, and professionalism by learning from the experiences, research, and study of others.
   3. Ensuring that training is provided for staff in those areas critical to their job performance will help in the defense of litigation.
   4. Completing training requirements is considered a task assigned to every employee. Staff who fail to complete their training requirements, fail to fully meet their job expectations.

AB 04_103  TRAINING CREDIT

1. Policy:
   1. Training hours should be granted on an hour-for-hour basis for actual classroom or on-the-job training.
   2. Training hours credit for correspondence courses, video courses, professional readings, exams, or other training options where the time involved may vary from person to person should be determined by the division Chief Deputy and should be uniform for all staff. Training hours credit should be determined and communicated to staff, in writing, prior to the onset of the training.
   3. Training hours credit may be granted for physical fitness training that is conducted formally via a WCSO physical fitness coordinator.
2. Rationale:
   1. Procedures for conferring training hours credit must be structured in order to provide fairness to all employees.

AB 04_104  ORIENTATION TRAINING

1. Policy:
   1. Corrections Division certified officers should receive and successfully complete orientation training (i.e., CT Program) prior to engaging in their assigned tasks on a solo basis.
   2. Patrol Division certified officers should receive and successfully complete field training (i.e., FT Program) prior to engaging in their assigned tasks on a solo basis.
   3. All staff should receive orientation training within the first year of employment which includes:
      1. The WCSO's organizational structure;
      2. Chain of command;
      3. PCF and administration building tour;
      4. Current policies, procedures, and standards (including employee standards of conduct);
      5. Blood-borne pathogens; and
      6. Personnel issues (e.g., schedules, time cards, etc.).
2. Rationale:
   1. Orientation training will ensure that training is conducted early in order to provide the benefits of proper training as soon as possible.

AB 04_105  ANNUAL TRAINING PLAN

1. Policy:
   1. An annual training plan should be maintained by the Training Unit. The Training Unit should coordinate with the respective scheduling personnel in order to ensure that all staff have the opportunity to participate in the required annual training sessions.
   2. The annual training plan should address legislative changes.
   3. The annual training plan for all staff (certified and non-certified) should include CPR/AED training.
   4. The annual training plan for certified staff should include the following POST requirements:
      1. Minimum of 40 total training hours;
      2. Minimum of 16 specialized training hours (arrest control, de-escalation, mental health/crisis intervention); and
      3. At least one autism spectrum disorder (ASD) training.
2. Rationale:
   1. Policy review training is required to ensure that staff members read and have a reasonable understanding of policy.
   2. Training and certification requirements are established by law for correctional officers and other peace officers.
   3. Training for non-certified staff provides instruction necessary to understand the special requirements and precautions involved in working in a public safety or jail environment.
   4. Management training is provided to improve the supervisory, personnel, and management expertise and knowledge of supervisory, administrative, and other management staff.

AB 04_106  TRAINING RECORDS

1. Policy:
   1. Training sessions should be documented.
   2. Training records should be maintained by the WCSO Training Unit.
   3. Training records should be maintained for a minimum of the duration of the employee's employment plus four years after leaving employment with the WCSO.
   4. Annual training requirements should be communicated to POST by the WCSO Training Unit.
   5. Upon request, the WCSO shall provide UDC with documentation of any and all emergency training and drills provided to correctional officers at PCF.
2. Rationale:
   1. Proper documentation memorializes events.
   2. Training records may assist with litigation defense.