{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-1706.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-1706.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-1706.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-1706.html"}],"law_id":85175,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85175,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1706","catch_line":"Certification through training required for all law-enforcement officers; waiver of requirements","history":"1994, cc. 850, 905, \u00a7 15.1-131.8:1; 1995, c. 112; 1997, c. 587; 1999, c. 635; 2002, c. 345; 2004, c. 477.","full_text":"A\n\nAll law-enforcement officers as defined in § 9.1-101 and all jail officers as defined in § 53.1-1 must be certified through the successful completion of training at an approved criminal justice training academy in order to remain eligible for appointment or employment. In order to obtain such certification, all entry level law-enforcement officers seeking certification on or after July 1, 2003, shall successfully complete statewide certification examinations developed and administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The Department may delegate administration of the examinations to an approved criminal justice training academy and may revoke such delegation at its discretion. The appointee’s or employee’s hiring agency must provide the Department of Criminal Justice Services with verification that law-enforcement or jail officers first hired after July 1, 1994, have met the minimum standards set forth in § 15.2-1705.B\n\nThe requirement for the successful completion of the law-enforcement certification examination may be waived by the Department of Criminal Justice Services based upon previous law-enforcement experience and training. To be eligible for such waiver, the individual must have applied for and been granted an exemption or partial exemption in accordance with § 9.1-116.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":305208,"text":"All law-enforcement officers as defined in § 9.1-101 and all jail officers as defined in § 53.1-1 must be certified through the successful completion of training at an approved criminal justice training academy in order to remain eligible for appointment or employment. In order to obtain such certification, all entry level law-enforcement officers seeking certification on or after July 1, 2003, shall successfully complete statewide certification examinations developed and administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The Department may delegate administration of the examinations to an approved criminal justice training academy and may revoke such delegation at its discretion. The appointee’s or employee’s hiring agency must provide the Department of Criminal Justice Services with verification that law-enforcement or jail officers first hired after July 1, 1994, have met the minimum standards set forth in § 15.2-1705.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":305209,"text":"The requirement for the successful completion of the law-enforcement certification examination may be waived by the Department of Criminal Justice Services based upon previous law-enforcement experience and training. To be eligible for such waiver, the individual must have applied for and been granted an exemption or partial exemption in accordance with § 9.1-116.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13483,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13482,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","permalink":{"id":153749,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13483,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1","url":"\/15.2\/II\/17\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13482,"edition_id":1,"name":"Police and Public Order","identifier":"17","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","permalink":{"id":153747,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13482,"identifier":"17","token":"15.2\/II\/17","url":"\/15.2\/II\/17\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59436,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1700","catch_line":"Preservation of peace and good order","url":"\/15.2-1700\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1700","metadata":false},{"id":82838,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1701","catch_line":"Organization of police forces","url":"\/15.2-1701\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1701","metadata":false},{"id":73443,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1702","catch_line":"Referendum required prior to establishment of county police force","url":"\/15.2-1702\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1702","metadata":false},{"id":81008,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1703","catch_line":"Referendum to abolish county police force","url":"\/15.2-1703\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1703","metadata":false},{"id":74490,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1704","catch_line":"Powers and duties of police force","url":"\/15.2-1704\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1704","metadata":false},{"id":78495,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1705","catch_line":"Minimum qualifications; 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repayment to locality of two-thirds of amount by Compensation Board","url":"\/15.2-1711\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1711","metadata":false},{"id":63610,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1712","catch_line":"Employment of off-duty officers","url":"\/15.2-1712\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1712","metadata":false},{"id":77061,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1713","catch_line":"Localities authorized to offer and pay rewards in felony and misdemeanor cases","url":"\/15.2-1713\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1713","metadata":false},{"id":87347,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1713.1","catch_line":"Local \"Crime Stoppers\" programs; confidentiality","url":"\/15.2-1713.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1713.1","metadata":false},{"id":60435,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1714","catch_line":"Establishing police lines, perimeters, or barricades","url":"\/15.2-1714\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1714","metadata":false},{"id":81983,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1715","catch_line":"Authority to declare Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdictions; expenditure of funds","url":"\/15.2-1715\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1715","metadata":false},{"id":73688,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1716","catch_line":"Reimbursement of expenses incurred in responding to DUI and related incidents","url":"\/15.2-1716\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1716","metadata":false},{"id":54447,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1716.1","catch_line":"Reimbursement of expenses incurred in responding to terrorism hoax incident, bomb threat, or malicious activation of fire alarm","url":"\/15.2-1716.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1716.1","metadata":false},{"id":61242,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1716.2","catch_line":"Methamphetamine lab cleanup costs; localities may charge for reimbursement","url":"\/15.2-1716.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1716.2","metadata":false},{"id":63062,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1717","catch_line":"Preventing interference with pupils at schools","url":"\/15.2-1717\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1717","metadata":false},{"id":75499,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1717.1","catch_line":"Designation of police to enforce trespass violations","url":"\/15.2-1717.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1717.1","metadata":false},{"id":86283,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1718","catch_line":"Receipt of missing child reports","url":"\/15.2-1718\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1718","metadata":false},{"id":82937,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1718.1","catch_line":"Receipt of missing senior adult reports","url":"\/15.2-1718.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1718.1","metadata":false},{"id":68631,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1718.2","catch_line":"Receipt of critically missing adult reports","url":"\/15.2-1718.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1718.2","metadata":false},{"id":85242,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1719","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed property in possession of sheriff or police","url":"\/15.2-1719\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1719","metadata":false},{"id":81997,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1720","catch_line":"Localities authorized to license bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices; disposition of unclaimed bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices","url":"\/15.2-1720\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1720","metadata":false},{"id":77275,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1721","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed firearms or other weapons in possession of sheriff or police","url":"\/15.2-1721\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1721","metadata":false},{"id":61487,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1721.1","catch_line":"Acquisition of military property by localities","url":"\/15.2-1721.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1721.1","metadata":false},{"id":59331,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1722","catch_line":"Certain records to be kept by sheriffs and chiefs of police","url":"\/15.2-1722\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1722","metadata":false},{"id":67755,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1722.1","catch_line":"Prohibited practices; collection of data","url":"\/15.2-1722.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1722.1","metadata":false},{"id":70576,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1723","catch_line":"Validation of certain police forces","url":"\/15.2-1723\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1723","metadata":false},{"id":60551,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1723.1","catch_line":"Body-worn camera system","url":"\/15.2-1723.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1723.1","metadata":false},{"id":78195,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1723.2","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Facial recognition technology; approval","url":"\/15.2-1723.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1723.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":78495,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1705","catch_line":"Minimum qualifications; waiver","url":"\/15.2-1705\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1705","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":65694,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1707","catch_line":"Decertification of law-enforcement officers and jail officers","url":"\/15.2-1707\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1707","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-1706\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1994. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 850<\/a> and 905<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1995, chapter 112<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 635<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 345<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 477<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":74453,"section_number":"15.2-836.1","catch_line":"Animal protection police officer","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-836.1\/"},{"id":60177,"section_number":"16.1-253.4","catch_line":"Emergency protective orders authorized in certain cases; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-253.4\/"},{"id":83596,"section_number":"19.2-12","catch_line":"Who are conservators of the peace","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-12\/"},{"id":86739,"section_number":"19.2-81.3","catch_line":"Arrest without a warrant authorized in cases of assault and battery against a family or household member and stalking and for violations of protective orders; procedure, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-81.3\/"},{"id":80192,"section_number":"46.2-1702","catch_line":"Certification of driver education courses by Commissioner","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1702\/"},{"id":54198,"section_number":"9.1-102","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Board and the Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-102\/"},{"id":79920,"section_number":"9.1-116.01","catch_line":"Universal certification for certain law-enforcement officers","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-116.01\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":85635,"section_number":"53.1-1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-1\/"},{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"},{"id":75493,"section_number":"9.1-116","catch_line":"Exemptions of certain persons from certain training requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-116\/"}],"permalink":{"id":153775,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85175,"identifier":"15.2-1706","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1706","url":"\/15.2-1706\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-1706\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1706","dublin_core":{"Title":"Certification through training required for all law-enforcement officers; waiver of requirements","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-1706","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> All law<\/span>-enforcement officers as defined in § 9.1-101<\/a> and all jail officers as defined in § 53.1-1<\/a> must be certified through the successful completion of training at an approved criminal justice training academy in order<\/span> to remain eligible for appointment or employment. In order<\/span> to obtain such certification, all entry level law<\/span>-enforcement officers seeking certification on or after July 1, 2003, shall successfully complete statewide certification examinations developed and administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The Department may delegate administration of the examinations to an approved criminal justice training academy and may revoke such delegation at its discretion. The appointee’s or employee’s hiring agency must provide the Department of Criminal Justice Services with verification that law<\/span>-enforcement or jail officers first hired after July 1, 1994, have met the minimum standards set forth in § 15.2-1705<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The requirement for the successful completion of the law<\/span>-enforcement certification examination may be waived by the Department of Criminal Justice Services based upon previous law<\/span>-enforcement experience and training. To be eligible for such waiver<\/span>, the individual must have applied for and been granted an exemption or partial exemption in accordance with § 9.1-116<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCERTIFICATION THROUGH TRAINING REQUIRED FOR ALL LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; WAIVER\nOF REQUIREMENTS (\u00a7 15.2-1706)\n\nA. All law-enforcement officers as defined in § 9.1-101 and all jail\nofficers as defined in § 53.1-1 must be certified through the successful\ncompletion of training at an approved criminal justice training academy in order\nto remain eligible for appointment or employment. In order to obtain such\ncertification, all entry level law-enforcement officers seeking certification on\nor after July 1, 2003, shall successfully complete statewide certification\nexaminations developed and administered by the Department of Criminal Justice\nServices. The Department may delegate administration of the examinations to an\napproved criminal justice training academy and may revoke such delegation at its\ndiscretion. The appointee’s or employee’s hiring agency must provide\nthe Department of Criminal Justice Services with verification that\nlaw-enforcement or jail officers first hired after July 1, 1994, have met the\nminimum standards set forth in § 15.2-1705.\n\nB. The requirement for the successful completion of the law-enforcement\ncertification examination may be waived by the Department of Criminal Justice\nServices based upon previous law-enforcement experience and training. To be\neligible for such waiver, the individual must have applied for and been granted\nan exemption or partial exemption in accordance with § 9.1-116.\n\nHISTORY: 1994, cc. 850, 905, \u00a7 15.1-131.8:1; 1995, c. 112; 1997, c. 587; 1999,\nc. 635; 2002, c. 345; 2004, c. 477.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}