Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 289 - Standards and Training for Peace Officers
Here’s an improved summary of NAC Chapter 289 – Standards and Training for Peace Officers in Nevada:
📘 1. Scope & Overview
NAC 289 – promulgated by the State’s Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission – defines the minimum qualifications, training standards, certification processes, and continuing education required for peace officers, reserve officers, dispatchers, and executive-level roles in Nevada (post.nv.gov).
Regulated Categories Include:
Category I, II, III & reserve peace officers
Law enforcement dispatchers (voluntary certification)
Executive/command-level certifications
Behavioral wellness and fitness standards
🔧 2. Minimum Appointment Standards (§ 289.110)
To be appointed as a peace officer, an individual must:
Be ≥ 21 years old, U.S. citizen, with high school diploma or GED
Pass thorough background checks (employment, criminal, driving, financial, military, residency history)
Undergo medical exam, drug test, psychological evaluation, and bias assessment
Have no disqualifying convictions or misconduct (e.g., felonies, substance offenses), though certain marijuana convictions no longer disqualify (law.cornell.edu, leg.state.nv.us, leg.state.nv.us, post.nv.gov)
📚 3. Training & Certification Standards (NAC 289.200–289.300+)
Basic certification (category I–III), requiring completion of POST-approved training courses, passing the state exam (≥ 70%), and fitness test (leg.state.nv.us).
Course approval: Training providers must get courses certified by POST.
Continuing education is mandated, with minimum course requirements outlined (post.nv.gov, leg.state.nv.us).
🚨 4. Executive & Command-Level Certification
POST may grant command-level basic certificates to those in executive roles (≥ 5 years service, training, exam, fitness) (leg.state.nv.us).
Agencies may hold no more than two active command-level certificates at a time (leg.state.nv.us).
🔄 5. Reciprocity for Out-of-State Officers
Officers from other states (within 60 months) or federal agencies can obtain category III certification via reciprocity by meeting state standards, including exam and 40-hour training (leg.state.nv.us).
🧠 6. Behavioral Wellness Visits (§ 289.Sec. 1)
Officers are required to attend an annual behavioral wellness visit (mental-health check-in with licensed professional) — offered individually, in group, in-person, or virtually (regulations.justia.com).
The visit focuses on support, education, confidentiality (no clinical diagnosis/testing), and verification of attendance .
🤝 7. Law Enforcement Dispatchers (Voluntary)
POST sets a 120-hour voluntary certification program for dispatchers, covering communications tech, call handling, legal/criminal procedures, stress management, homeland security, etc., culminating in a dispatcher certificate (leg.state.nv.us).
✅ 8. Continuing Compliance & Oversight
POST conducts audits of academies and agencies to ensure compliance (post.nv.gov).
The Commission has authority to certify, decertify, suspend, or revoke officer certifications (leg.state.nv.us).
📝 Summary Table
| Topic | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Appointment standards | Background, age, education, health, psychological, bias checks |
| Basic certification | POST training, fitness test, state exam |
| Advanced/command certification | 5 years service + 80‑hour training + exam + fitness |
| Reciprocity | 40‑hour training + exam for out‑of‑state officers |
| Wellness visits | Annual mental-health check-in, confidential |
| Dispatchers | 120‑hour voluntary training/certificate |
| Oversight | Audits and compliance enforcement by POST |
🎯 Why It Matters
NAC 289 ensures that Nevada’s law enforcement personnel are thoroughly vetted, professionally trained, mentally fit, and held to high standards across entry-level, executive, and specialized roles. It helps maintain public safety and professional integrity through rigorous oversight.
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