Certification Process and Mandated In-Service Requirements - Jail Officer/Jail Deputy

Jail Officer/Jail Deputy

Administrative Code: Rules Relating to Jail Officer/Jail Deputy

  • Two (2) Required Steps for the Initial Certification as a Jail Officer/Jail Deputy

Upon employment, jail officer/jail deputy trainees have 12 months to complete the compulsory minimum training standards.  The jail officer/jail deputy certification is obtained by (1) successfully completing the basic jailor academy and (2) completing field training for jail officer/jail deputy within 12 months.  The initial jail officer/jail deputy certification is not valid until both steps have been completed and the documentation of the field training has been sent to DCJS, and entered into the training records management system.

If the jail officer/jail deputy trainee cannot meet the 12 month requirement for completion of the two steps to certification, the agency may request an extension for additional time to complete the compulsory minimum training standards.  The agency must submit a request to DCJS prior to the initial 12 months expiration date and provide the reason for the extension request. Agencies must contact DCJS Field Services (DCJS staff assigned to your agency) for further assistance.

 

  • In-Service Requirements for Jail Officer/Jail Deputy

Every certified jail officer/jail deputy must complete in-service requirements throughout their career holding this function in order to remain certified.  In order to attend and obtain the credit hours needed to recertify as a jail officer/jail deputy, they must be employed at a criminal justice agency in Virginia under DCJS purview and holding the job function as a jail officer/jail deputy.   The below link will assist you on the hours needed, subject requirements and the mandated time requirements.

 

Agencies needing an extension in order to meet the mandated in-service requirements, must submit a request to DCJS prior to the expiration date and provide the reason for the extension request. Agencies must contact DCJS Field Services (DCJS staff assigned to your agency) for further assistance.

 

  • Assistance with Hiring Former Virginia Certified Jail Officers/Jail Deputies

If your agency has hired a former jail officer/jail deputy who was previously certified in Virginia and out of such employment less than 24 months, the former jail officer/jail deputy can be reinstated without completing a basic academy, but must be current on in-service training within 120 days of hire.  If the former certified jail officer/jail deputy has been out of such employment for more than 24 months, and you are requesting an exemption from the Virginia Compulsory Minimum Training Standards, the agency must submit an Application for Exemption from the Virginia Compulsory Minimum Training Standards (DCJS Form W-2). Agencies must contact DCJS Field Services (DCJS staff assigned to your agency) for further assistance and submit the DCJS Form W-2.

  • Assistance with Hiring Out-of-State Jail Officers/Jail Deputies  

If your agency has hired a former jail officer/jail deputy from another state and requesting an exemption from the Virginia Compulsory Minimum Training Standards, the agency must submit an Application for Exemption from Virginia Compulsory Minimum Training Standards. Agencies must contact DCJS Field Services (DCJS staff assigned to your agency) for further assistance and submit the DCJS Form W-2.