ORS 181A.520
Certification of corrections officers
(1)
Except for a person who has requested and obtained an extension pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, a person may not be employed as a corrections officer by a law enforcement unit for more than one year unless the person is a citizen of the United States or a nonimmigrant legally admitted to the United States under a Compact of Free Association, and:(a)
The person has been certified as being qualified as a corrections officer under the provisions of ORS 181A.355 (Definitions for ORS 181A.355 to 181A.689) to 181A.689 (Standards for speech and expression) and the certification has not lapsed or been revoked pursuant to ORS 181A.630 (Procedure for denial, suspension or revocation of application or certification), 181A.640 (Grounds for denial, suspension or revocation of application or certification of person or accreditation of program) and 181A.650 (Judicial review of department’s final order) (1) and not been reissued under ORS 181A.650 (Judicial review of department’s final order) (2); or(b)
The person is exempted from the certification requirement under ORS 181A.420 (Minimum standards and training requirements inapplicable to certain persons) (1) and (2).(2)
The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, upon the facts contained in an affidavit accompanying the request for an extension, may find good cause for failure to obtain certification within the time period described in subsection (1) of this section. If the department finds that there is good cause for failure to timely obtain certification, the department may extend for up to one year the period that a person may serve as a corrections officer without certification. The grant or denial of an extension is within the sole discretion of the department.(3)
The certification of a corrections officer shall lapse upon the passage of more than three consecutive months during which period the officer is not employed as a corrections officer, unless the corrections officer is on leave from a law enforcement unit. Upon reemployment as a corrections officer, the person whose certification has lapsed may apply for certification in the manner provided in ORS 181A.355 (Definitions for ORS 181A.355 to 181A.689) to 181A.689 (Standards for speech and expression).(4)
Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, a person employed as a corrections officer by a law enforcement unit shall commence the training necessary for certification under ORS 181A.355 (Definitions for ORS 181A.355 to 181A.689) to 181A.689 (Standards for speech and expression) not later than the 90th day after the date of the officer’s employment by the law enforcement unit at an academy operated or authorized by the department in consultation with the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training.(5)
A law enforcement unit may delay the commencement of training of a corrections officer for up to 120 days from the date of the officer’s employment when the law enforcement unit considers the delay necessary. When a law enforcement unit delays commencement of a corrections officer’s training under this subsection, the law enforcement unit shall file a written statement of its reasons with the department.(6)
When a delay in the commencement of training necessary for certification under ORS 181A.355 (Definitions for ORS 181A.355 to 181A.689) to 181A.689 (Standards for speech and expression) at an academy operated or authorized by the department is caused by the inability of the department, for any reason, to provide that training, the period of the delay may not be counted as part of the periods set forth in subsections (4) and (5) of this section within which the training must be commenced. [Formerly 181.652; 2017 c.53 §3](1)
The Department of Corrections shall provide training for basic certification of corrections officers employed by the Department of Corrections.(2)
The Department of Corrections shall develop proposed training standards for the basic certification of corrections officers employed by the Department of Corrections and provide the proposed standards to the Corrections Policy Committee. After reviewing the proposed standards provided by the Department of Corrections, the Corrections Policy Committee shall recommend, and the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training shall adopt by rule, minimum training standards for basic certification of corrections officers employed by the Department of Corrections. The minimum training standards adopted under this subsection must meet or exceed the minimum training standards for the basic certification of corrections officers employed by a law enforcement unit other than the Department of Corrections.(3)
The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training shall conduct periodic audits of the training provided by the Department of Corrections to ensure compliance with the standards adopted under subsection (2) of this section. If the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training finds that the training complies with the standards, the department shall accredit the training for the same term and upon the same conditions as training programs for corrections officers that are employed by a law enforcement unit other than the Department of Corrections.(4)
Training provided in accordance with this section constitutes training necessary for certification as a corrections officer under ORS 181.610 to 181.712.(5)
Nothing in this section limits the ability of any law enforcement unit to employ a corrections officer who is provided training in accordance with this section. [2009 c.885 §44](2)
Nothing in the repeal of section 44, chapter 885, Oregon Laws 2009, by section 46d, chapter 885, Oregon Laws 2009:(a)
Prohibits the Department of Corrections from completing the basic training of corrections officers who are hired on or after August 4, 2009, and before January 2, 2026.(b)
Affects the certification, or the eligibility for certification, of a corrections officer who is provided basic training by the Department of Corrections in accordance with section 44, chapter 885, Oregon Laws 2009. [2009 c.885 §46b; 2013 c.573 §1]
Source:
Section 181A.520 — Certification of corrections officers, https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors181A.html.
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