POST investigators report compliance issues at small departments; commission orders spot checks

POST investigators presented findings from inspections at multiple small police departments on Aug. 29, telling the commission they found instances of uncertified officers working alone or agencies with incomplete preemployment or training files.

Kevin Creed, a POST investigator, reported on a review of Calhoun Police Department files and body-camera footage and told commissioners he found a small number of instances in which an uncertified officer had worked with a part-time officer or, in one or two videos, appeared to be operating solo. After the investigator discussed the department’s staffing constraints, the chief agreed to correct the practice and the commission accepted the investigative report by motion.

Investigators also reported similar findings in Franklin County, Jasper and South Pittsburgh, where part-time or reserve officers lacked full preemployment packets or had not yet documented initial training hours. In Franklin County, staff said the sheriff’s office reconstructed reserve-deputy files and committed to completing psychiatric and medical clearances and documenting initial training hours; the investigator said the department expected the reserve files to be complete by year end.

Commissioners discussed whether to require agencies to register reserve deputies in POST’s Cadre/Acadis system to make oversight easier. Staff said making the registry mandatory would increase upfront work for agencies and POST but would improve long-term tracking and recommended agencies begin the process voluntarily. The commission voted to accept the investigators’ reports and approved an unannounced spot check program: investigators will conduct follow-up inspections within six months and report back to the commission.

The action reflects POST’s effort to ensure smaller agencies meet preemployment and training requirements before allowing uncertified or part-time officers to perform solo duties.

One motion directed investigators to return for unannounced spot checks within six months; another called for the agency to report progress on reserve-deputy documentation and initial training records. The commission recorded the vote and accepted the reports.