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

TopicRequirement
Appointment standardsBackground, age, education, health, psychological, bias checks
Basic certificationPOST training, fitness test, state exam
Advanced/command certification5 years service + 80‑hour training + exam + fitness
Reciprocity40‑hour training + exam for out‑of‑state officers
Wellness visitsAnnual mental-health check-in, confidential
Dispatchers120‑hour voluntary training/certificate
OversightAudits 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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