Training
2026 TRAINING GUIDELINES
Please read the following information regarding the process of obtaining GACP Executive/Management Level Training Credit.
Training requirements for agency/department heads as defined by Georgia Code §35-8-20:
Definition of agency/department head, is defined in Georgia Code §35-8-2 (4):
Please read the following information regarding the process of obtaining GACP Executive/Management Level Training Credit.
Training requirements for agency/department heads as defined by Georgia Code §35-8-20:
(a) During calendar year 1985 and during each calendar year thereafter, the chief of police or department head of each law enforcement unit and wardens of state institutions shall complete 20 hours of training as provided in this Code section.
(b) The training required by subsection (a) of this Code section shall be completed in sessions as selected and provided or approved by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police or the Georgia Prison Wardens Association and which have been recognized by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
(c) The salary and travel expenses of a chief of police or department head of a law enforcement unit or a warden of a state institution taking the required training shall be paid by the law enforcement unit by which he or she is employed.
(d) Any chief of police or department head of a law enforcement unit or a warden of a state institution who does not fulfill the training requirement of this Code section shall lose his or her power of arrest.
(e) A waiver of the requirement of training provided in this Code section may be granted by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, in its discretion, upon the presentation of evidence by a chief of police or department head of a law enforcement unit or a warden of a state institution that he or she was unable to complete such training due to medical disability, providential cause, or other reason deemed sufficient by the council. (NOTE: GACP cannot issue this type of waiver. Such requests must be submitted to POST Council).
Definition of agency/department head, is defined in Georgia Code §35-8-2 (4):
“Department Head” means the chief executive or head of a state department or agency, a county, a municipality, or a railroad who is a peace officer and whose responsibilities include the supervision and assignment of one or more employees or the performance of administrative and managerial duties of a police agency or law enforcement unit.”
Training classes such as report writing, LIDAR training, traffic accident reconstruction, impact weapons, commercial vehicle inspections, conflict resolution, first responder, street survival, verbal judo, and courtroom demeanor are several examples of training programs that are not approved for chief’s credit. Classes that are needed to meet the Governor’s Initiative Requirements are not approved for executive credits. You must have a minimum of 27 hours to comply with GACP and POST, consisting of:
20 hours of GACP Executive Credit,
AND
- 7 hours of classes that meet the Governor’s Initiative Requirements of
- Use of Deadly Force (1 hour)
- De-escalation (1 hour)
- Community Policing (2 hours)
- Gang Awareness (1 hour)
- Human Trafficking (1 hour)
- Firearms re-qualification (1 hour)
If you fail to meet all training requirements in the calendar year, you will lose your power of arrest on January 1st of the following year.
*PRORATED hours: If you are appointed as an agency/department head for a partial year, you will be required to obtain two (2) hours of Executive credits per month for the remaining months of the year. For example, if you are appointed as chief on September 10th, you will then be required to obtain eight (8) hours of Executive Credits before December 31st of that year: two (2) hours each for September, October, November, and December.
VIRTUAL TRAINING GUIDELINES
* A maximum of five (5) hours of executive training credits can be earned in 2026 through online / virtual training courses – apart from any GACP-hosted webinar. The Governor’s Initiative training (Use of Deadly Force – 1 hour, De-escalation – 1 hour, Community Policing – 2 hours, Gang Awareness – 1-hour, Human Trafficking – 1 hour) can be obtained online and, since they are not eligible for executive-level credit, is not subject to this limitation.
TRAINING APPROVAL PROCESS
To obtain executive credits for training:
a. The training class must be on the pre-approved training list; or
b. Training classes not pre-approved may be approved for up to four hours of executive credits by the Training and Event Director with supporting documentation (link to documentation requirements); or
c. If a request for executive credit is denied or if more than four hours are requested for a training class, the submitting chief may request a review by the GACP Training Sub-Committee. The request, along with any additional information to be considered, will be reviewed at the next GACP Training Sub-Committee Meeting.
LINK TO SUBMIT TRAINING APPROVAL
When asked to evaluate training held by other agencies for executive credits, the initial step is to evaluate whether the following basic requirement is met:
The majority of the course content is information specifically geared toward senior management and executive level issues and topics (i.e., Training classes such as report writing, LIDAR training, traffic accident reconstruction, impact weapons, commercial vehicle inspections, conflict resolution, first responder, street survival, verbal judo, and courtroom demeanor are several examples of training programs not approved for chief’s credit. Firearms and Use of Deadly Force, although mandated by POST, are not approved for executive credit).
Acceptable forms of supporting documentation needed:
1. Lesson Plans/Written Criteria: Written materials must contain an in-depth synopsis of management principles and the extent to which they are explored. For instance, a course entitled “Legislative Updates for Executives” must show how the course explores the legislative updates at a level beyond that of line-duty officers. In other words, the content must justify the title.
-OR-
2. Power Point Copies: Final Power Points of the courses presented must contain the management principles noted above.
*Please note: The credibility of the class becomes enhanced if the instructor is well known in the state for his/her expertise in teaching management level classes.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED WITH APPROVAL REQUESTS:
If the course IS designated by GACP as approved for executive/management level training, submit the following:
- GACP Training Approval Form (use link above); and
- Proof of attendance.
If the course has NOT been designated by GACP as approved (If the training is out‐of‐state or in‐ state training that is not approved by POST, the information must first be submitted to POST for training credit.):
- Data supporting the training as executive /management level training (syllabus, course curriculum, lesson plan, etc.);
- Qualifications of the presenter(s); and
- Proof of attendance (if course has already been held).
The use of any GACP training codes that are listed on the POST website will NOT be accepted for credit unless pre‐approved by the GACP Executive Director or GACP Training & Events Director.
Review your POST training history / officer record often at www.gapost.org to ensure your executive hours are listed. Allow a reasonable amount of time for your POST training record to be updated with approved executive hours. Most submitted executive training will be listed in POST within two (2) weeks of submission. Please contact the GACP Training & Events Director if sufficient