In addition to ARM 23.14.403 and 23.14.404 above, the following are required for the award of the supervisory certificate:

(1) Shall possess the intermediate certificate.

(2) Shall have successfully completed the supervisory course at MLEA or the equivalency as designated by the POST advisory council.

(3) Currently and for one year prior to the date of application shall have served satisfactorily as a first-level supervisor as attested to by the head of the employing agency.

(4) Peace officers with out-of-state training at the supervisory level who are employed at that level by Montana law enforcement agencies are eligible if they:

(a) Currently and for one year prior to the date of application shall have served satisfactorily at the supervisory level as attested to by the head of the employing agency, and

(b) If the council determines the training to be equivalent to the supervisory course, the officer must successfully complete an equivalency test, approved by the council and administered by MLEA by achieving accumulative score of 75% or more. The council will require those who fail the equivalency test to successfully complete the supervisory course at MLEA.

(5) A first-level supervisor is a position above the operational level for which commensurate pay is authorized; occupied by an officer who, in the upward chain of command, principally is responsible for the direct supervision of employees of an agency or is subject to assignment of such responsibilities and most commonly is the rank of sergeant.