Section 20. Initial certification and training requirements for school security officers

A. In addition to meeting all the hiring requirements of the employing school board, all school security officers who enter upon the duties of such office on or after September 1, 2004, are required to meet the following minimum certification and training requirements. Such person shall:

1. Undergo a background investigation to include fingerprint-based criminal history record inquiry of both the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Results of such inquiries shall be examined by the employing school division within 30 days of date of hire;

2. Have a high school diploma, have passed the General Educational Development exam, or have passed the National External Diploma Program;

3. Be a minimum of 21 years of age;

4. Possess a valid driver's license if required by the duties of office to operate a motor vehicle;

5. Successfully complete basic first aid training. The level and substance of such training shall be at the discretion of the employing school division;

6. Comply with compulsory minimum entry-level training requirements approved by the board:

a. Every school security officer hired on or after September 1, 2004, is required to comply with the compulsory minimum training standards within 60 days of the date of hire as a school security officer.

b. The compulsory minimum training shall consist of a Department of Criminal Justice Services-approved security officer training course developed by the department. Such training shall include but not be limited to:

(1) The role and responsibility of school security officers;

(2) Relevant state and federal laws;

(3) School and personal liability issues;

(4) Security awareness in the school environment;

(5) Mediation and conflict resolution;

(6) Disaster and emergency response; and

(7) Student behavioral dynamics.

c. The compulsory minimum training shall include a test for each module approved and provided by the department with a minimum passing grade of 80% on each module; and

7. Submit to the department a properly completed and signed application for certification from the localities in a format provided by the department.

B. All costs associated with the background investigation, submission of fingerprints for criminal history record inquiries, and basic first aid training to meet the hiring requirements are the responsibility of that locality.

C. The department may grant an extension of the time limit for completion of the compulsory minimum training standards under the following documented conditions:

1. Illness or injury;

2. Military service;

3. Special duty required and performed in the public interest;

4. Administrative leave, full-time educational leave or suspension pending investigation or adjudication of a crime; or

5. Any other reasonable situation documented by the employing school division superintendent or designee.

D. The director may grant an exemption or partial exemption from the compulsory minimum training standards set forth in this chapter to a law-enforcement officer of the Commonwealth who has had previous experience and training as provided in § 9.1-114 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 22, Issue 11, eff. March 8, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 03, eff. December 1, 2015.

Statutory Authority

§ 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.