Ronald E. Lampard, Director

GRANT PROGRAM: Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST)

Program Purpose:
The POST Council, through Legislative Act No. 562, in 1976, reimburses local criminal justice agencies for most expenses incurred during certified basic training -- for full-time officers only. Tuition costs (and training expenses) for reserve officer training are borne by the sponsoring agency. Please contact your local law enforcement planning council.

The POST Council (the Louisiana Peace Officers Standards & Training Council) is made up of 12 members form around the state ? three chiefs of police, three sheriffs, two district attorneys, the state attorney general, the superintendent of state police, the Louisiana Chapter president of the National Constables? Association and the executive director of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice (LCLE).

Act 562 seeks to make sure all full-time police officers meet minimum training requirements and reimburses local police agencies for their investment in officer training. This applies to all peace officers (municipal police, sheriff?s deputies, constables, correctional officers and jailers). The program also establishes minimum standards for police training officer and qualification and training standards for peace officer firearms training and use. Grant funds are also available one time a year to purchase electronic equipment like computers, radios, etc. to enhance law enforcement efforts.

Requirements:
All peace officers must comply with POST training requirements within the first year of employment. If an officer does not attend the prescribed training within his first year, he will not receive supplemental pay until he obtains POST certification.

State law requires that all full-time peace officers shall complete a basic training course as prescribed and certified by the Council on Peace Officers Standards. Reserve or part-time officers or military police officers stationed in Louisiana may be eligible for certification if they successfully complete a basic training course prescribed for full-time peace officers and pass the POST statewide examination. 

Reimbursement:
Local police agencies can be reimbursed $100, $250 or $500 per officer, depending on the training they receive to meet specific levels of P.O.S.T. requirements.

For more information, please call the Community Justice Agency at 504-736-6844. Search the Web at www.cole.state.la.us