May 22, 2014 Dear Student: Thank you for your interest in obtaining your Florida certification as a law enforcement or correctional officer. The Equivalency-of-Training process enables one to become exempt from having to complete the Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (BRTP). It is for out-of-state officers, federal officers, and previously certified Florida officers pursuant to section 943.131(2) Florida Statutes and 11B-35.009(4)(5) Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). You may be eligible for an exemption from the full basic recruit training if you meet the following requirements. 1. You worked at least one year, full-time (40 hours per week) as a sworn officer in the discipline you are seeking exemption and; 2. You received training in that discipline which is comparable to Florida's full basic recruit curriculum or; 3. You were previously certified in Florida (4-year break in employment). You cannot have more than an 8-year break in employment as an officer. The break in employment is measured from the separation date of the most recent qualifying employment to the time a complete application requesting an exemption from training is submitted to a Criminal Justice Training Center like the at Indian River State College (IRSC). If you are granted an exemption, you will need to complete an EOT course demonstrating proficiency in all high liabilities and pass the Florida State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE) in the same discipline within one (1) year of receiving the approved Equivalency-of-Training form CJSTC 76. To be considered for an exemption from the Florida BRTP and be eligible for the EOT you must submit the following: 1. A completed Equivalency of Training (EOT) Application and Authority for Release of Information CJSTC 58 2. Documentation to substantiate equivalent prior training: a. Academy training records with curricula narrative and hours of training for each of the following: i. Law Enforcement - Legal, Interactions in a Diverse Community, Interviewing and Reporting Writing, Patrol (including Fundamentals, Calls for Service, and Critical Incidents), Criminal Investigations (including Crime Scene and Courtroom), Traffic Stops, Traffic Crash Investigations, Vehicle Operations, First Aid or equivalent, Firearms, and Defensive Tactics ii. Corrections - Legal, Communications, Officer Safety, Facility and Equipment, Intake and release, Supervising in a Correctional Facility, Supervising Special Populations, Responding to Incidents and emergencies, Firearms, Defensive Tactics, and First Aid or Equivalent. b. Academy certificate of completion 3. Documentation to establish experience as a full-time, sworn officer: a. Letter from last employer verifying employment period of at least 12-months and; b. Payroll record showing full-time employee (black-out account information or SSN) 4. Non-refundable Application Fee ($100 for Florida certified officers and $200 for non-florida certified officers) for application processing. If you are deemed eligible, we will issue you an Equivalency-of-Training form CJSTC 76 authorizing you to enroll in an EOT course at any State Criminal Justice Training Center and demonstrate proficiency in the high liabilities. The 3209 Virginia Avenue Fort Pierce, Florida 34981-5596 Ph: 1-866-888-2677 Fax: 1-772-462-7955 www.irsc.edu Fort Pierce Okeechobee Port St. Lucie Stuart Vero Beach
Equivalency-of-Training form CJSTC 76 expires after 12-months so it is important to know which course you plan on attending before submitting the application. It is possible for us to hold your application for up to 3-months before we process it. Indian River State College Attn: Darren Mingear 4600 Kirby Loop Road Fort Pierce, Florida 34981 NOTICE To become a certified officer in Florida you must meet the minimum qualifications established in Florida Statutes 943.13. Be at least 19 years of age. Be a citizen of the United States. Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) for law enforcement and corrections applicants. A bachelor s degree is required for correctional probation officers. Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, not-withstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication. Never have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. Have documentation of processed fingerprints on file with the employing agency. Pass a physical examination by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or certified advanced registered nurse practitioner. Have good moral character as determined by a background investigation under procedures established by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. Many agencies have additional qualifications relating to driving history, drug use, conduct while an officer, etc. These will be covered during their background investigation and is NOT part of this Equivalency of Training evaluation. All information provided by applicants is subject to verification by investigators. If you have any further questions, please contact me at (772) 462-7941. Darren Mingear Coordinator Attachments: EOT Application Authority for Release of Information CJSTC 58 Equivalency of Training (EOT) Application & Instructions (Version 2014.01) - Page 2
Indian River State College EQUIVALENCY OF TRAINING (EOT) APPLICATION 1. Personal information of the person who is applying: Date: Name: (Full - Last) (Full First) (Full - Middle) Social Security Number: Date of Birth: Race: Asian African-American Hispanic White Other Sex: Male Female Phone: ( ) E-Mail address: 2. I am seeking Equivalency of Training as a (check one): Law Enforcement Officer Correctional Officer 3. My qualifying full-time employment as a law enforcement or corrections officer was at the following agency: Full Agency Name: I was employed from to as (mm/dd/yyyy) (mm/dd/yyyy)* (Position / Title) Point of Contact: Phone: ( ) E-Mail address: * The end date must be within 8-years of this application. 4. The Basic Recruit Training for which I wish to be evaluated is: Academy Name: Dates Attended: to in (mm/dd/yyyy) (mm/dd/yyyy) (Course Title and Class Number) Phone: ( ) E-Mail address: 5. I have applied for Equivalency of Training previously in Florida? (check one) Yes No If yes, which Criminal Justice Selection Center or employing agency: 6. The High Liability proficiency demonstrations are physically challenging. I certify that I do or I do not have any medical restrictions that would prevent me from participating in the course. If you select that you do have medical restrictions, you will need to provide a report from your physician outlining your specific restrictions. A restriction may result the rejection of this application since you must be able to perform the proficiency demonstrations. Equivalency of Training (EOT) Application & Instructions (Version 2014.01) - Page 3
7. Applicant s Acknowledgement and Signature I swear or affirm the following: (1) All the information I have provided in this application is true and correct. (2) I am claiming eligibility for the Equivalency of Training certification as a law enforcement or corrections officer in Florida because I meet all of the requirements of 11B-35.009 F.A.C. (3) I understand that an investigator will verify the information in this application and that any omission or falsification of a material fact will result in rejection of this application, and may prevent my future certification or employment as a law enforcement or correctional officer in Florida. (4) I understand that there are other legal requirements in the Florida Statutes, and the rules established by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC), related to proficiency demonstration, examination, citizenship, high school education, criminal history, character of military discharge, and moral character, etc., which must be established in a full background investigation by a hiring agency prior to my certification and/or employment as a law enforcement or corrections officer in Florida. (Signature of Applicant) (Date) AFFIDAVIT State of County of Before me personally appeared who says that he/she executed the above instrument of his/her own free will and accord, with full knowledge of the purpose therefore. Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of, 20. My commission expires on, 20. Notary Public Personally Known -OR- Produced the following identification: Equivalency of Training (EOT) Application & Instructions (Version 2014.01) - Page 4
Florida Department of Law Enforcement AUTHORITY FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION (Background Investigation Waiver) Incorporated by Reference in Rule 11B-27.0022(2)(a), F.A.C. CJSTC 58 To: Concerned Person or Authorized APPLICANT S NAME: Representative of Any Organization, Institution or Repository of Records DATE OF BIRTH: AGENCY REQUESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION: ADDRESS: LAST FOUR DIGITS OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: Having made application for certification or employment as a law enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer within the state of Florida, I hereby authorize for one year, from the date of execution hereof, any authorized representative of a Florida criminal justice agency or a Regional Criminal Justice Selection Center bearing this release to obtain any information pertaining to my employment, credit history, education, residence, academic achievement, personal information, work performance, background investigations, polygraph examinations, any and all internal affairs investigations or disciplinary records, including any files that are deemed to be confidential and/or sealed. I also authorize release of any criminal justice records of arrests, citations, detentions, probation and parole records, or any police reports or other police records in which I may be named for any reason, including any files that are deemed to be juvenile and confidential. I hereby direct you to release this information upon the request of the bearer, whether in person or by correspondence. I further authorize the bearer to make copies of these records. This release is executed with the full knowledge and understanding that these records and information are for the official use of a Florida criminal justice agency or Regional Criminal Justice Selection Center in fulfilling official responsibilities, which may include sharing the records or information with other criminal justice agencies, Regional Criminal Justice Selection Centers or the State of Florida or release to third parties as may be required by Florida public records laws. I hereby release you, as the custodian of such records, and employer, educational institution, physician, hospital or other repository of medical records, credit bureau or consumer reporting agency, including its officers, employees, and related personnel, both individually and collectively, from any and all liability for damages of whatever kind, which may at any time result to me, my heirs, family or associates because of compliance with this authorization and request to release information, or any attempt to comply with it. A copy of this form will be as effective as the original. I hereby authorize the National Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri, or other custodian of my military record to release information or copies from my military personnel and related medical records, including a copy of my DD 214, Report of Separation, or other official documents from the United States Military denoting discharge status or current active military status to: Section 768.095, F.S., titled Employer Immunity from Liability; disclosure of information regarding former or current employees states: An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee, is immune from civil liability for such disclosure of its consequences, unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under chapter 760, Florida Statutes. Pursuant to Sections 943.134(2)(a) and (4), F.S., Chapter 2001-94, Laws of Florida, disclosure of information is required unless contrary to state or federal law. Civil penalties may be available for refusal to disclose non-privileged legally obtainable information. Applicant s Signature Date Applicant s Address OATH Pursuant to Section 117.05(13)(a), Florida Statutes STATE OF COUNTY OF Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me this day of, year, By Signature of Notary Public State of Florida Print, Type, or Stamp Commissioned name of Notary Public Personally Known OR Produced Identification Type of Identification Produced Effective: 8/9/2001 Pursuant to Original Employing Agency 1 of 1 Commission-Approved Revisions: 12/16/10 Sections 943.134(2)(a) and (4), F.S. Form Effective Date: 3/2013