Standards Revisions

At CALEA’s St. Louis (MO) Conference, CALEA Commissioners approved the following standards related changes to be effective immediately.

•      The Commentary for Standard 33.6.1 (functions for which specialized training is required) had the following sentence added, “Further, any sworn personnel assigned as communications dispatchers should receive all necessary training.”  

•      Standard 1.2.9 – Biased Based Profiling was added to the Recognition Program.  

•      Draft Public Safety Training Academy Standards were adopted for public feedback.   

•       Some confusion continues to exist concerning the application of specific standards to civilians who are either employed or are affiliated with the agency and perform quasi-law enforcement duties.  The board of Commissioners adopted the following three changes to clarify the situation: 

1.New Guiding Principle

2.4  PERSONNEL SHALL BE ASSESSED ACCORDING TO THE GLOSSARY TERMS.

There is no need for an agency to change its definitions or titles for positions, employees, or other individuals affiliated with the agency.  The standards will be assessed using the glossary terms found in this manual in comparison to the agency’s actual utilization of the personnel being assessed.  The glossary terms define four types of agency personnel: (1) sworn (2) reserve (3) auxiliary, and (4) civilian.  Sworn and reserve personnel have the authority to make a full custody arrest while auxiliaries and civilians do not.  The distinction between sworn and civilian personnel is predicated on the authority to make a full custody arrest as defined in this manual, not based on taking an oath of office.  There may be employees, auxiliaries or other persons affiliated with the agency who are required to take an oath, wear a uniform, and perform quasi-law enforcement duties such as detention or transportation of detainees, but they are not considered sworn or reserve law enforcement officers unless their authority includes the authority to complete a full custody arrest.

2.  The definition of Auxiliary has been revised to eliminate any reference to compensation.  

AUXILIARY: A uniformed or non-uniformed civilian affiliated with the law enforcement agency because of his or her interest in contributing to the mission of the agency in a support capacity.  These include law enforcement cadets, law enforcement explorers, senior citizens groups, or other volunteers whose affiliation with the agency is expressed in their assigned duties or implied by the uniform worn.  Excluded are part-time paid employees of the agency (see Civilian.)

      3.  The seventh paragraph in the Chapter 16 Introduction is revised to read: 

“Standards in 16.4 (Auxiliaries) cover volunteers selected on the basis of their interest in and concern for the needs of law enforcement. Auxiliaries do not have the authority to make a full custody arrest.”

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