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AR POST key terms

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Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST)

The Arkansas state commission that sets minimum selection and training standards for law enforcement officers and administers certification and decertification of officers statewide.

Related: Certification, Decertification, ALETA
Certification

The official status granted by CLEST confirming that an officer has met the statutory and training requirements to serve as a law enforcement officer in Arkansas.

Related: Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST), Decertification, Probationary Certification
Decertification

The formal revocation of an officer's CLEST certification, typically following misconduct, criminal conviction, or failure to meet required standards, which bars continued employment as an officer.

Related: Certification, Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST)
Probationary Certification

A temporary certification status allowing a newly hired officer to work under supervision while completing required basic training within a specified time limit.

Related: Certification, Basic Training
Standards and Certification Statutes

The Arkansas statutes that establish CLEST's authority, define officer qualifications, mandate training, and prescribe penalties and procedures for hiring and certification.

Related: Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST), Certification
CLEST Rules

The administrative regulations adopted by the commission that implement the certification statutes, covering hiring qualifications, training requirements, reporting duties, and hearing procedures.

Related: Standards and Certification Statutes, Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST)
CLEST Forms

Standardized documents the commission requires agencies to submit, such as employment notices, training completion reports, and certification or separation paperwork.

Related: CLEST Rules, Certification
Minimum Selection Standards

Baseline qualifications an agency must verify before hiring an officer, including age, citizenship, education, background, physical, and psychological requirements.

Related: CLEST Rules, Background Investigation
Background Investigation

The pre-employment inquiry into an applicant's criminal history, employment record, references, and character that agencies must complete and document before hiring.

Related: Minimum Selection Standards, CLEST Forms
Separation Report

The notice an agency must file with CLEST when an officer leaves employment, stating the date and reason for separation so certification records stay current.

Related: CLEST Forms, Decertification
ALETA (Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy)

The state training academy that delivers the basic law enforcement course and other certified programs required for officer certification in Arkansas.

Related: Basic Training, Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST)
Basic Training

The mandatory entry-level academy curriculum covering law, patrol, defensive tactics, firearms, and related skills that a new officer must complete to be certified.

Related: ALETA (Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy), Probationary Certification, Curriculum
Curriculum

The organized set of courses, lesson plans, and learning objectives approved for the basic academy and other certified training programs.

Related: Basic Training, Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan

A structured instructor document listing objectives, content, methods, materials, and time allocations for a single block of instruction.

Related: Curriculum, Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives

Specific, measurable statements describing what a trainee should know or be able to do after completing a block of instruction.

Related: Lesson Plan, Curriculum
Testing and Evaluation

The academy's system of written and performance assessments used to measure trainee mastery and determine eligibility to graduate.

Related: Learning Objectives, Remediation
Remediation

Additional instruction or retesting provided to a trainee who fails to meet a required academic or performance standard.

Related: Testing and Evaluation, Basic Training
Instructor Certification

CLEST approval authorizing a person to teach designated academy or in-service courses after completing required instructor development training.

Related: Advanced Training, In-Service Training
Advanced Training

Post-basic courses that build specialized or supervisory skills, such as investigations, leadership, or tactical specialties, beyond the entry-level academy.

Related: In-Service Training, Pre-Approved Training
In-Service Training

Continuing education that certified officers must complete periodically to maintain certification and stay current on law and tactics.

Related: Advanced Training, Annual Training Requirement
Pre-Approved Training

Courses or providers that CLEST has reviewed and approved in advance, so officers who complete them automatically receive training credit.

Related: Advanced Training, Training Credit
Training Credit

Documented hours awarded toward an officer's required training upon successful completion of an approved course.

Related: Pre-Approved Training, In-Service Training
Annual Training Requirement

The minimum number of approved training hours an officer must earn each year to remain in good standing with the commission.

Related: In-Service Training, Training Credit
Telecommunicator

A person who receives emergency calls, dispatches responders, and handles radio traffic for a public safety agency.

Related: Telecommunicator Training, Emergency Medical Dispatch
Telecommunicator Training

The required basic course of instruction covering call handling, dispatching, radio procedure, and legal responsibilities that a telecommunicator must complete.

Related: Telecommunicator, Emergency Medical Dispatch
Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)

A structured protocol system that lets telecommunicators give medical instructions to callers and prioritize medical responses before responders arrive.

Related: Telecommunicator, Telecommunicator Training
Criminal Detention Facility Standards

The minimum rules governing the operation, safety, security, and treatment of inmates in local jails and holding facilities in Arkansas.

Related: Detention Facility Review Committee, Jail Standards Review
Detention Facility Review Committee

A body that inspects local detention facilities and reports findings on compliance with state jail standards to the appropriate authority.

Related: Criminal Detention Facility Standards, Jail Standards Review
Jail Standards Review

The periodic inspection and evaluation process used to determine whether a detention facility meets required standards and to identify needed corrections.

Related: Criminal Detention Facility Standards, Detention Facility Review Committee
Inmate Classification

The process of assessing an inmate's risks and needs to assign housing, supervision level, and programs within a detention facility.

Related: Criminal Detention Facility Standards, Jail Standards Review
LESO Program (Law Enforcement Support Office)

A federal program that transfers excess Department of Defense property to state and local law enforcement agencies for authorized uses.

Related: LESO Property Accountability, Controlled Property
LESO Property Accountability

The recordkeeping and inventory obligations that require agencies to track, report, and account for property received through the federal transfer program.

Related: LESO Program (Law Enforcement Support Office), Controlled Property
Controlled Property

Transferred equipment subject to stricter tracking and approval requirements, such as weapons, vehicles, and aircraft, because of its sensitivity or value.

Related: LESO Program (Law Enforcement Support Office), LESO Property Accountability
State Point of Contact (SPOC)

The designated state official who coordinates the federal property transfer program, reviews agency requests, and ensures compliance with program rules.

Related: LESO Program (Law Enforcement Support Office), LESO Property Accountability
Disposal or Turn-In

The required process for returning, transferring, or destroying transferred property when an agency no longer needs it or must comply with program rules.

Related: LESO Property Accountability, Controlled Property