Section 1770.205  Minimum Requirements of the Recruit

a)         Attendance at all sessions is required.  In order to successfully complete the Part-Time Basic Training Course, the recruit shall attend all training sessions.

b)         Maintenance of an adequate classroom notebook is required.  Factors to be considered in rating the notebook are neatness, legibility, accuracy and sufficiency of content.  "Adequate," for purposes of this subsection refers to:

1)         Neatness.  Concise organization of the notes.  All notes and handouts will be placed in the book received during the course.  Dividers into topics are required; and

2)         Legibility.  Recording of notes in brief, clear complete sentences. Underlining the important items; and

3)         Accuracy.  The notes taken in class must precisely reflect the content of the class; and

4)         Sufficiency of content.  Recording in the recruit's notebook should be in the recruit's own words.  The recruit should strive to achieve condensation of the material clearly and concisely.

c)         Qualifications in the use of firearms as required by the Peace Officer and Probation Officer Firearm Training Act [50 ILCS 710] is required.

d)         The recruit shall successfully pass the Board's written module test for each module in order to successfully complete the module.  The module tests shall be administered during regional training sessions unless otherwise determined by the Director.  A second failure of any module test shall necessitate the retaking of the module.  If the recruit again fails the module test after retaking the module, the recruit will not be allowed to continue the Part-Time Basic Training Course and must forfeit the position.  In the event the recruit failed two different module testing segments, the recruit will not be allowed to continue the Part-Time Basic Training Course and must forfeit the position.

e)         A recruit must successfully pass every module before being eligible to take the Board's Part-Time Police Certification Examination.

f)         The Director shall establish standards of conduct for the recruit while the recruit is taking the Part-Time Basic Training Course.  These shall include demeanor, deportment and compliance with the discipline and regulations of the facility or course.

g)         Each recruit and hiring agency shall provide, on a form prescribed by the Board, certification that the recruit is a person of good character and has not been convicted of a felony offense or a crime involving moral turpitude.  A recruit shall immediately, in writing, keep the Board notified of all arrests and convictions while the recruit is undergoing part-time basic training.

h)         Each recruit employed on or before December 31, 1995, who has not been awarded a certificate attesting to the recruit's successful completion of the Part-Time Basic Training Course as prescribed by the Board by December 31, 1997, must forfeit the recruit's position, or the employing agency must obtain a waiver from the Board extending the period for compliance.  Such waivers shall be issued only for good and justifiable reasons, and in no case shall extend more than 90 days beyond the initial 24 months.  Good and justifiable reasons for a waiver include, but are not limited to, unavailability of facility space for training, illness or disability, and the need for the recruit to serve the law enforcement agency during the probationary period.

i)          Each part-time recruit employed on or after January 1, 1996, who has not been awarded a certificate attesting to the recruit's successful completion of the Part-Time Basic Training Course as prescribed by the Board within 18 months after the recruit's initial part-time employment, must forfeit the recruit's position, or the employing agency must obtain a waiver from the Board extending the period for compliance.  Such waivers shall be issued only for good and justifiable reasons, and in no case shall extend more than 90 days beyond the initial 18 months.  Good and justifiable reasons for a waiver include, but are not limited to, unavailability of facility space for training, illness or disability, and the need for the recruit to serve the department during the initial probationary period.

1)         Beginning December 15, 2022, a part-time officer's 6-month enrollment requirement and 18-month training requirement stated in 50 ILCS 705/8.2 shall begin upon initial employment, and shall begin again with each subsequent appointment.

2)         An officer who separates from an employer prior to the completion of their training, but is appointed by another agency within 10 days, may continue training in the registered program under the original time limitations as the previous appointment. An officer who separates before completing training and subsequently receives an appointment more than 10 days after the original separation may proceed through a part-time training program a second time in compliance with all of the requirements of recently hired officers. Nevertheless, beginning December 15, 2022, officers will no longer be barred from participating in a part-time training program with subsequent appointment if they failed to meet their initial 6- and 18- month training requirements.

j)          Each recruit will bring such equipment to training sessions as is required by the Director.

k)         A recruit shall pass the Board's Part-Time Certification Examination to qualify as a part-time police officer, except as is otherwise provided for in the Act.

1)         The test shall be in writing.  It shall be administered by the staff of the Board, or such other testing company or association expressly authorized by the Board; and

2)         The Board shall establish a minimum passing score.  In establishing the minimum passing score, the Board will ensure that the score reflects the knowledge and competency of the recruit for law enforcement work.  The minimum passing score will be established by the Board within the range of 60 to 80 percent of the total score.  At the beginning of each training course the minimum passing score will be announced; and

3)         The content of the test for law enforcement officers may include, but not be limited to, material in the areas as specified in Section 7(b) of the Act and subjects covered in the Peace Officer and Probation Officer Firearm Training Act [50 ILCS 710]; and

4)         The content of the test for part-time officers may include, but not be limited to, materials in the areas specified in 20 Ill. Adm. Code 1770.202; and

5)         The Board shall at least biennially review the content of the exam and minimum passing score to ensure they are current and reliable.

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 9410, effective June 23, 2023)