Detention Course Accreditation

Prior to the delivery of any Commission-accredited training course(s), the institution/agency must first receive accreditation as a delivery site for the Detention Officer Certification Course. In order to obtain accreditation, an institution/agency must submit a Request for School Accreditation (Form F-7).The main focus of the Form F-7 is for the institution’s/agency’s executive officer and school director to note compliance with Rule .0703.

Compliance with this rule includes the following:

• Acquire and allocate sufficient financial resources for program expenses.
• Provide adequate support staff assistance.
• Provide a comfortable, well-lighted and ventilated classroom with sufficient seating capacity.
• Provide audiovisual equipment and other instructional devices as appropriate.
• Provide a library accessible to the trainees.
• Provide the following during the practical exercise portion of the “Subject Control Techniques” block of instruction:
  • 30 square feet of floor space per student.
  • One instructor for every 10 students.
  • Restrooms and drinking water within 100 yards of training site.
  • Telephone and radio communication immediately available on site.
• Provide an area for use as a jail cell for the “Contraband/Searches” block of instruction.
• Provide the following during the practical exercise portion of the “Fire Emergencies” block of instruction:
  • A well-ventilated, open area for the setting and putting out of a fire.
  • Restrooms and drinking water within 100 yards of training site.
  • Telephone and radio communication immediately available on site.
• An area designated for the physical assessment of trainees to include:
  • An area for exercise which provides 20 square feet of floor space per student.
  • One instructor for every 10 students during the actual assessment.
  • Shower facilities if assessment/exercise is performed prior to classroom training.
  • Restrooms and drinking water within 100 yards of training site.
  • Telephone and radio communication immediately available on site.
  • Sufficient instructors as needed to maintain visual contact with students while performing any physical exercise.
• Provide the following during the practical exercise portion of the “First Aid & CPR” block of instruction:
  • 20 square feet of floor space per student.
  • One instructor for every 10 students during the practical exercise.

Division staff schedules a site visit once the Form F-7 is received to tour and inspect the proposed training facilities. In the event the institution/agency applying for accreditation does not own a facility as described above, agreements with other entities may be made so long as the agreement is in writing and a copy of that agreement is provided to the Division. An example would be an agreement with the local Sheriff’s Office that allows the school director to use a County jail cell for the “Contraband/Searches” block of instruction.

Each accredited site is subject to an unannounced audit to review all records permanently maintained by the school director and to ensure continued compliance with the Commission’s accreditation standards. Accreditation is continuous so long as the institution/agency conducts a minimum of one Detention Officer Certification Course each calendar year and demonstrates continued compliance with both the requirements of Rule .0703 and the additional accreditation requirements as specified in the Detention Officer Certification Course Management Guide. Any violation of the Commission’s rules regarding accreditation may result in the suspension or revocation of an institution’s/agency’s accreditation.