Current through Register Vol. 54, No.43, October 26, 2024
Section 203.53 - Nonmandatory in-service training courses(a) A political subdivision of the Commonwealth may apply for in-service training grants for the actual expenses of providing nonmandatory in-service training programs to police officers. A political subdivision may apply for a nonmandatory in-service training grant by filing an application and resolution with the Commission. (1) A copy of the application and resolution may be obtained from the Commission.(2) The Commission will only consider requests for nonmandatory in-service training grants that comply with the following: (i) All sections of the application shall be completed.(ii) The application shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the resolution. The resolution shall be adopted by the governing body and shall provide that the political subdivision will adhere to the standards for training established by the Commission while receiving any Commonwealth funds under the act and this subchapter.(3) Applications and resolutions shall be filed with the Commission and received at least 45 days prior to the commencement of the proposed training program. The Commission, or its Executive Director, has the discretion to waive the 45-day filing limitation for good cause, but only if the grant request was submitted prior to the commencement of the proposed training program.(b) Limitations for funding of nonmandatory in-service training programs are as follows: (1) Only courses approved by the Commission will be eligible for nonmandatory in-service training grants. (i) The Commission has the discretion to approve or disapprove any proposed course, based upon law enforcement requirements.(ii) Approved courses will be published in the Commission newsletter.(2) Courses with less than 12 or more than 40 police officers enrolled will not be approved for nonmandatory in-service training grants. However, at the discretion of the Executive Director or by a majority vote of the In-Service Training Committee (Committee), a different minimum or maximum enrollment may be established for a specific course.(3) Nonmandatory in-service training grant requests will not be approved unless the instructors for the course are approved by the Commission or the Committee.(4) The Commission will not approve nonmandatory in-service training grant requests for the following: (i) Firearms qualification.(ii) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT type training).(iii) First aid and CPR training.(c) Nonmandatory in-service training grant requests in the amount of $3,000 or less may be approved by the Commission's Committee. The Committee will be appointed by the Commission chairperson and consist of five Commission members including a designated chairperson of the Committee.(1) The Committee chairperson has the authority to convene a Committee meeting for reviewing grant requests. The Committee may not act on any grant request unless at least three Committee members are present at the meeting.(2) The Committee members will vote to either approve or deny each grant request based on the information presented and the standards established by this chapter. In the case of a tie vote by the Committee, the Commission will make the final determination on the grant request.(3) The Committee chairperson will formally report actions taken by the Committee at the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting.(d) Nonmandatory in-service grant requests in excess of $3,000 may be approved only by the Commission. The In-Service Training Committee will review every request and make a recommendation to the Commission.(1) The chairperson of the Committee will formally report the recommendation of the Committee, including any dissenting or minority statements, to the Commission prior to the Commission's final decision on the grant request.(2) The Commission members will vote to either approve or deny each grant request based on the Committee's recommendations, the information presented and the standards established by this chapter.(e) The Executive Director will notify the political subdivision in writing of the Commission's determination concerning the grant request. Notice will be forwarded to the requesting political subdivision by certified mail, return receipt requested.