                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

POWERS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES BOARD RELATING TO SPECIAL CONSERVATORS OF
THE PEACE APPOINTED PURSUANT TO § 19.2-13 (§ 9.1-150.2)

The Board shall adopt regulations establishing compulsory minimum, entry-level,
in-service, and advanced training standards for special conservators of the
peace. The regulations may include provisions delegating to the Board&#8217;s
staff the right to inspect the facilities and programs of persons conducting
training to ensure compliance with the law and its regulations. In establishing
compulsory training standards for special conservators of the peace, the Board
shall require training to be obtained at a criminal justice training academy
established pursuant to § 15.2-1747, or at a private security training school
certified by the Department, and shall ensure the public safety and welfare
against incompetent or unqualified persons engaging in the activities regulated
by this section. The regulations may provide for exemption from training of
persons having previous employment as law-enforcement officers for a state or
the federal government. However, no such exemption shall be granted to persons
having less than five continuous years of such employment, nor shall an
exemption be provided for any person whose employment as a law-enforcement
officer was terminated because of his misconduct or incompetence or who has been
decertified as a law-enforcement officer. The regulations may include provisions
for exemption from such training for persons having previous training that meets
or exceeds the minimum training standards and has been approved by the
Department. The Board may also adopt regulations that (i) establish the
qualifications of applicants for registration; (ii) cause to be examined the
qualifications of each applicant for registration; (iii) provide for collection
of fees for registration and renewal that are sufficient to cover all expenses
for administration and operation of a program of registration; (iv) ensure
continued competency and prevent deceptive or misleading practices by
practitioners; (v) effectively administer the regulatory system promulgated by
the Board; (vi) provide for receipt of complaints concerning the conduct of any
person whose activities are regulated by the Board; (vii) provide for
investigations, and appropriate disciplinary action if warranted; and (viii)
allow the Board to revoke, suspend or refuse to renew a registration,
certification, or license for just cause as enumerated in regulations of the
Board. The Board shall adopt compulsory, entry-level training standards that
shall not exceed, but shall be a minimum of 98 hours for unarmed special
conservators of the peace and that shall not exceed, but shall be a minimum of
130 hours for armed special conservators of the peace. In adopting its
regulations, the Board shall seek the advice of the Private Security Services
Advisory Board established pursuant to § 9.1-143.

HISTORY: 2003, c. 922; 2015, cc. 766, 772.