What may happen to an officer who fails to adhere to POST training standards?

Failing to adhere to POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) training standards can lead to serious consequences for law enforcement officers, including the possibility of decertification. POST sets essential training guidelines and standards to ensure that officers are well-equipped to perform their duties, maintain public safety, and uphold the law.

If an officer does not comply with these standards, it raises concerns about their competency and ability to serve effectively. Decertification means that the officer could lose their license to operate as a law enforcement officer, which can effectively end their career in that capacity. This measure safeguards the integrity of law enforcement agencies and strengthens public trust by ensuring that only qualified individuals are in such critical roles.

Promotions generally require adherence to established standards, so they are unlikely to occur if an officer fails to meet training expectations. Additional training and transfers might be options considered by a department, but these do not carry the same level of consequence as decertification. Therefore, facing possible decertification is the most significant and dire outcome for an officer who does not meet POST training standards.