Senior Deputy Certification

The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council established the Senior Deputy Certification Program to provide specialized training relevant to the Office of Sheriff.  The first Senior Deputy Certifications were granted in 1995.

 In order to attain Senior Deputy status, the student must complete 320 hours of specialized training divided into three modules of instruction.  The Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, Inc., some regional training academies, and some sheriff’s offices offer Module One and Module Two training. Module One consists of training on the Office of Sheriff, Bonding Procedures, Court Orders, Civil Process, Court Services, Mental Commitments and Transportation of the Mentally Ill, One-Man Patrol Tactics, and Prisoner Transports. Total number of training hours in Module One is 40 hours.

Module Two consists of advanced courses including Search Procedures for Wanted and Missing Persons, Water Accidents and Drowning, Advanced Report Writing, 47-Hour Basic Jail Officer Course, Public Relations, and Interpersonal Relations.  Total number of training hours in Module Two is 80 hours.

Module Three requires the completion of 200 hours of elective courses to meet the 320 hour training requirement.  These courses may NOT include: required core courses, refresher or in-service training, or basic training required for any certification issued by POST.  (See the Senior Deputy Curriculum for additional information.) The selection of electives must be approved by the sheriff, prior to beginning that module.  The deputy will fulfill Module Three classes at their regional academy or other training facilities.  There are no time constraints to complete the program.

After each block of instruction, the deputy will receive a certificate.  Upon completion of the 320 hour curriculum, the deputy will (1) attach copies of each certificate - or - a copy of their P.O.S.T. training record with Senior Deputy classes highlighted to the Senior Deputy Certification application form, and (2) submit the packet to the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council for final approval.  Once all training is approved by POST, the deputy will be issued a certification number.  POST will in turn notify the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association who will issue the Senior Deputy Certification certificate.

The primary reason to attain the Senior Deputy Certification is for the personal gratification of receiving 320 hours of advanced training that enables a deputy to improve his job skills in the Office of Sheriff.  However, some sheriff’s offices offer pay incentives or consider completion of the deputy program for promotional purposes, but this is not mandatory.  The Association has taken no stance on incentives for the certification.  If you have questions regarding the Senior Deputy Program, please contact GSA’s Training Director Tonia Welch at 770.914.1076 or twelch@georgiasheriffs.org.

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