As directed by the POST Council at the May 23, 2013 meeting, the following in-service training requirements became mandatory beginning January 1, 2014:

Each Basic (Level 1, 400-hour) and Basic-Corrections (Level 2, 249-hour) certified officer, excluding elected and appointed agency-heads, are required to complete in-service requirements annually, between January 1st and December 31st, beginning the first calendar year after receiving their POST certification:

• 8 hours of Firearms training

• 4 hours of Officer Survival training

• 2 hours of Legal Updates & Instruction

• 6 hours of Electives

(Curriculum/delivery method approval for the above hourly requirements is at the discretion of each individual agency head.)

Any officer who does not complete the required hours by the end of each calendar year is placed on 90-day suspension of POST Certification, during which time they must complete the required hours. If the required hours are not completed in the 90-day period, the officer’s POST certification will become invalid, and a POST Refresher course (at a POST Accredited Academy) would be required.

Designated training coordinators are required to manage the in-service training affairs of their agency’s officers throughout the year. Training coordinators are required to use the online: Learning Management System (LMS) to schedule and document their agencies online and instructor-led training.

The POST LMS is a critical component of the annual training requirements for all Louisiana peace officers. The LMS must continuously operate and provide functionality so that to support all peace officers to meet and maintain their certification.

Therefore, it’s incumbent on the POST staff to obtain maintenance support should the need arise to address any technical glitches.

To change a training coordinator, click and download this form: Training Coordinator Designation Form and fax back to POST at (225) 342-1672.

Approved by the POST Council, May 13, 2013, September 12, 2013, updated on November 13, 2013, and March 20, 2014. See also Act 210 of 2017.

1. Are part-time and reserve officers required to meet the in-service training requirements?

All officers who are POST certified (Level 1 Basic and Level 2 Basic Corrections) are required to complete POST In-Service training requirements, regardless of employment status.

2. I’ve changed employers and now work for a new agency. How do I keep credit for the in-service training hours I have completed?

Your new agency must submit a completed form: Employment Status Change to POST that indicates who the new employer is, current status (full time, part-time, reserve), and the date employment started. Once we receive and process the Employment Status Change form, your training records will change to reflect your new employer.

3. Which peace officers must complete in-service training hours?

All Basic Level 1 Certified Officers, Basic Corrections Level 2 Certified officers, and grandfathered peace officers (including Part-Time and Reserve officers) must complete a minimum of 20 hours
in-service training within each calendar year (January 1 – December 31).

4. Which peace officers are exempt from in-service training requirements?

Elected & Appointed Agency Heads, & POST Level 3 (Correctional Officer) certified personnel &
Non-Enforcement Grandfathered Officers

5. Must in-service training be conducted by a POST certified instructor?

No. In-Service training hours can be conducted by any instructor approved by the agency head/training coordinator. Annual POST Firearms Qualifications must be conducted by POST Certified Firearms Instructors.

6. Must firearms hours include range time and/or live fire?

The training hours approved under each category are at the discretion of each agency head/training coordinator. Any law enforcement firearms related training can be approved for the firearms hours requirement.

7. What Defensive Tactics system is required for in-service training and is certification within a DT system required?

No, POST does not require a specific DT system or certification in that system for In-Service Training hours. The training hours approved under the “Officer Survival” category are at the discretion of each agency head/training coordinator.

8. Is an attorney or judge required to conduct legal training?

No, this is not required.

9. What constitutes elective training?

The training hours approved under each category are at the discretion of each agency head/training coordinator.

10. Can instructors receive In-Service credit hours for time of instruction?

Yes, if approved by the agency head/training coordinator.

11. What happens when an officer doesn’t complete the required training by December 31^st?

As of January 1^st, any officer who has not met the required 20 hours of training will have their POST Certification/Registration suspended, and if they do not complete the required hours in 90 days, their POST Certification/Registration will be revoked.

12. An officer completed basic training this calendar year. Is the officer responsible for completing the in-service training requirements for this year as well? Does this apply to refreshers and those in transition?

The requirement for in-service training begins the calendar year after the year basic training was completed. (Also applies to refreshers and transitions).