(1) The executive director or the council will consider any legitimate allegation made against any public safety officer that may result in the denial, sanction, revocation, or suspension of that officer's certification.

(2) The grounds for denial, sanction, suspension, or revocation of the certification of public safety officers are as follows:

(a) willful falsification of any information in conjunction with official duties, or any single occurrence or pattern of lying, perpetuating falsehoods, or dishonesty which may tend to undermine public confidence in the officer, the officer's employing authority, or the profession;

(b) a physical or mental condition that substantially limits the officer's ability to perform the essential duties of a public safety officer, or poses a direct threat to the health and safety of the public or fellow officers, and that cannot be eliminated or overcome by reasonable accommodation;

(c) engaging in substance abuse as defined in these rules;

(d) unauthorized use of or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages while on duty, or the use of alcoholic beverages in a manner which tends to discredit the officer, the officer's employing authority, or the profession;

(e) conviction of a felony, or an offense which would be a felony if committed in this state;

(f) conviction of any offense involving unlawful sexual conduct or unlawful physical violence;

(g) neglect of duty or willful violation of orders or policies, procedures, rules, or regulations;

(h) willful violation of the code of ethics set forth in ARM 23.13.203;

(i) other conduct or a pattern of conduct which tends to significantly undermine public confidence in the profession;

(j) failure to meet the minimum standards for appointment or continued employment as a public safety or peace officer set forth in these rules or Montana law;

(k) failure to meet the minimum training requirements or continuing education and training requirements for a public safety or peace officer required by Montana law and these rules;

(l) acts that are reasonably identified or regarded as so improper or inappropriate that by their nature and in their context are harmful to the employing authority's or officer's reputations, or to the public's confidence in the profession;

(m) operating outside or ordering, permitting, or causing another officer to operate outside of the scope of authority for a public safety or peace officer as defined by 44-4-401, 44-4-404, or 7-32-303, MCA, or any other provision of Montana law regulating the conduct of public safety officers;

(n) the use of excessive or unjustified force in conjunction with official duties; or

(o) the denial, sanction, suspension, or revocation of any license or certification equivalent to a POST certification imposed by a board or committee equivalent to POST in any other state.

(3) It is a defense to an allegation of substance abuse, as defined in these rules, if the officer shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the officer's substance abuse has been eliminated or overcome by reasonable treatment.