4-7-118 - Canine training for highway patrol officers.
4-7-118. Canine training for highway patrol officers.
(a) Effective August 1, 2003, before a person appointed by the commissioner can become a commissioned member of the highway patrol, such person, as a part of the training for such position, shall complete a course of instruction in animal behavior generally and canine behavior specifically that complies with the requirements of § 38-8-117.
(b) For members of the highway patrol who have completed the animal behavior training course required by subsections (a) and (c), any annual in-service training, required for members of the highway patrol, may also include the animal behavior training course.
(c) Any member of the highway patrol who was employed prior to the time when the course of instruction required by subsection (a) was established and offered shall be required to complete it as part of any annual in-service training required of the highway patrol. Any such member shall have two (2) years from June 15, 2004 to receive the instruction required by subsection (a). Any officer who does not comply with this subsection (c) shall be subject to departmental disciplinary proceedings.
(d) Any member of the highway patrol who completes a course of instruction in animal behavior approved by the POST commission for use as required in § 38-8-117, shall be in compliance with the provisions of this section.
[Acts 2004, ch. 940, § 3.]