Attorney General

Peace Officers Standards & Training Commission

Chapter 5: Certification, Employment, and Training Standards for Dispatchers

Effective Date: 01/05/2018 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 015.0009.5.01052018

CHAPTER 5

CERTIFICATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING STANDARDS FOR DISPATCHERS

Section 1. Temporary Dispatcher Certification. A dispatcher shall meet the provisions of Chapter 2, Section 1.

Section 2. Basic Dispatcher Certification.

(a) No person shall receive a basic dispatcher certification unless such person has completed a Commission approved dispatcher basic training program and is employed as a dispatcher in Wyoming.

(b) A dispatcher shall have two (2) years from the date of employment to complete a Commission approved dispatcher basic training program.

(c) Basic certification of permanent employees shall be valid for two (2) years from date of issuance.

Section 3. Extension of Time Requirement for Basic Training. The director may grant an extension of the two (2) year time requirement upon the written application of the dispatcher and his/her employer. The application shall explain the circumstances which make an extension necessary. Factors which the director may consider in granting or denying an extension include the illness of the dispatcher or a member of his/her immediate family or the absence of reasonable access to the basic course. The director shall not grant an extension exceeding two hundred ten (210) days.

Section 4. Advanced Dispatcher Certification.

(a) Advanced certification shall be awarded to a dispatcher who meets any of the following requirements:

(i) Holds a permanent appointment and holds a basic certification as a dispatcher in any law enforcement agency in the State of Wyoming;

(ii) Completes an additional twenty (20) hours of Commission approved training;

(iii) Completes one (1) year of additional experience as a dispatcher.

(b) The advanced training requirement in this section shall be completed within two (2) years following the date of basic certification.

(c) Failure of any dispatcher to complete advanced training as provided by this section shall result in the denial of recertification.

Section 5. Professional Dispatcher Certification.

(a) Professional certification shall be awarded to a dispatcher who meets any of the following requirements:

(i) Has been awarded advanced certification, has completed an additional forty (40) hours of Commission approved training, and has acquired three (3) additional years of experience as a full-time dispatcher;

(ii) Has been awarded an associate’s degree, has been awarded advanced certification, has completed an additional twenty (20) hours of Commission approved training, and has two (2) additional years of experience as a full-time dispatcher; or

(iii) Has been awarded a baccalaureate degree or beyond, has been awarded advanced certification, and has completed one (1) year additional experience as a full-time dispatcher.

(b) The professional training requirements of this section shall be completed no later than three (3) years following the date of advanced certification.

(c) Dispatchers awarded professional certification shall complete twenty (20) hours of continuing training every two (2) years. Verification of required training shall be provided to the Commission within two (2) years following the date of professional certification and every two (2) years thereafter.

(d) Failure of any dispatcher to complete the requirements of professional training as provided by this section shall result in the denial of recertification.

Section 6. Extension of Time Requirements for Training. The Director may grant an extension of time for completion of continuing training required by these rules upon a presentation of evidence by the Agency that a dispatcher is unable to complete the required training within the time prescribed because of illness, injury, military service, special duty assigned or required in the public interest of the concerned jurisdiction, or because of restriction on the availability of required training.

Section 7. Waiver of basic training program.

(a) The director may, upon recommendation of the employing agency, waive the basic, or mini basic, dispatcher training program and certify those applicants who can pass a written examination provided by the Commission and an oral interview attesting to the applicant’s ability and core competencies in dispatch.

(b) The applicant shall prove that he satisfactorily completed a basic dispatcher officer training program which in the Commission's opinion is comparable to that required by this section before waiver is granted.

Section 8. Employment with an Additional Wyoming Law Enforcement Agency.

(a) An agency may appoint an applicant to a certified position without further investigation if:

(i) The agency has received certification from the Commission that the applicant holds current certification for the position; and

(ii) The agency has verified the applicant is employed in good standing by another law enforcement unit in Wyoming.

(b) The employing agency shall submit an Additional Agency Employment Form within fifteen (15) days of the appointment in writing or by electronic filing.

Section 9. Employment of a Currently Certified Dispatcher. A currently certified Wyoming dispatcher may be employed subject to the following conditions:

(a) Those currently certified dispatchers who do not meet the requirements of POST Rules Chapter 5, Section 7 may be employed provided the employing agency completes all the requirements set forth in Chapter 2, Section 1 (c)(vii) ; and

(b) The employing agency shall submit an Employment Form to the Commission within fifteen (15) days of appointment in writing or by electronic filing.

Section 10. Certification of previously but not currently, Certified Wyoming Dispatchers. Dispatchers previously, but not currently, certified in Wyoming may be certified subject to the following conditions:

(a) The employing agency shall submit an Employment Form to the Commission within fifteen (15) days of appointment in writing or by electronic filing.

(b) Those applicant dispatchers have been employed as a dispatcher within the past three (3) years may be recertified, provided the applicant satisfies the provisions of Chapter 2, Section 1;

(c) Those applicant dispatchers who were last employed as dispatchers more than three (3) years but less than five (5) years ago may be recertified provided the applicant satisfies the provisions of Chapter 2, Section 1 and passes a written challenge examination provided the Commission (the examination may only be taken twice) and;

(d) Applicant dispatchers last employed as a dispatcher more than five (5) years ago shall satisfy the provisions of Chapter 2, Section 1 and attend the current Commission approved dispatcher basic training course.

Section 11. Certification of Dispatchers Certified/trained in states other than Wyoming. Those applicants who have previously established certification or completed basic training in states other than Wyoming may petition the Commission for certification only upon the following conditions:

1. (a) Has been employed as a dispatcher within the last five (5) years;
2. (b) Can provide documentation of successful completion of a dispatcher basic program that is, in the Commission's opinion, comparable to the Wyoming dispatcher basic offered during the same time period;
3. (c) Satisfies the provisions of Chapter 2, Section 1 and;
4. (d) Passes a written challenge examination provided by the Commission (the examination may only be taken twice).

Section 12. Pre-Service Graduate Requirements for Dispatcher Certification.

1. (a) A pre-service graduate who meets the provisions of Chapter 2, Section 1 may be employed and certified if employed by a Wyoming law enforcement agency within two (2) years from date of graduation.
2. (b) A pre-service graduate who meets the provisions of Chapter 2, Section 1 may be employed and certified if employed by a Wyoming law enforcement agency more than two (2) years but less than five (5) years from the date of graduation upon successful completion of the challenge process.
3. (c) A pre-service graduate whose fifth anniversary since graduation has passed shall successfully complete the current dispatcher basic course.

Section 13. Credit for Accredited College Semester Hours. Dispatchers may receive training hours for accredited college credits as follows:

1. (a) Job-related semester credits will be equivalent to ten (10) Commission training hours per credit hour earned.
2. (b) If a college is using the quarter system, the quarter hours are equivalent to seven (7) Commission training hours per hour earned.
3. (c) College hours can only be applied to continuing training requirements.