As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:�

(1) "Allegation" means:

(a) a statement or accusation of misconduct made against a public safety officer to POST staff or the council by anyone;

(b) a statement or accusation of misconduct against a public safety officer made by the POST executive director acting upon any credible knowledge, information, or belief;

(c) the document or statement, prior to the notice of agency action, that initiates the informal denial,�revocation, suspension, or sanction proceeding against an officer.

(2) "Certification" or "certificate" means any basic or advanced standards and training certification granted by the council after completion of the specific requirements as set forth in these rules.

(3) "Contested case" means:

(a) a civil administrative proceeding that progresses pursuant to notice and hearing as outlined in MAPA and these rules; or

(b) a proceeding initiated by a request for a hearing from the officer after the officer has received a notice of agency action imposing sanction, suspension, or revocation by the director when the case could not be settled at the preliminary stage of review, investigation, or informal proceeding.

(4) "Conviction" means a judgment or sentence entered upon a guilty or nolo contendere plea or upon a verdict or finding of guilty rendered by a legally constituted jury or by a court of competent jurisdiction authorized to try the case without a jury, without regard to the sentence imposed or whether the charge is later dismissed.

(5) "Council" or "POST Council" or "POST" means the full 13-member public safety officer standards and training council as created by 2-15-2029, MCA.

(6) "Director" or "executive director" means the bureau chief of the public safety officer standards and training bureau.

(7) "Employing authority," "employing agency," or "governmental unit" means any entity that is statutorily empowered with administration, supervision, hiring or firing authority, training, or oversight over a public safety agency or officer. This may include but is not limited to: the chief of police, mayor, county attorney, city council, warden, sheriff, etc.

(8) "Field training" means instruction, training, or skill practice rendered to an officer by another officer or officers on a tutorial basis during a tour of duty while performing the normal activities of that officer's employment.

(9) "Hearing examiner" means the chair or the council's designated representative, who regulates the course of a contested case proceeding or other hearing held by the council, pursuant to 2-4-611, MCA and these rules. Powers of a presiding officer are the same as those of a hearing examiner.

(10) "In-service training" means training provided within a law enforcement and/or public safety agency to review and develop skills and knowledge for the specific agency's needs.

(11) "Informal proceeding" means a proceeding that occurs before a MAPA contested case proceeding and includes but is not limited to: correspondence between POST and the officer accused of misconduct and his employing authority; investigation by POST; stipulation or settlement negotiations or agreement; or a sanction, suspension, or revocation imposed through a notice of agency action.

(12) "MAPA" means the Montana Administrative Procedure Act, Title 2, chapter 4, part 6, MCA.

(13) "Misconduct" means any action or conduct that could potentially result in sanction, suspension, or revocation of POST certification pursuant to ARM 23.13.702 or a violation of the code of ethics contained in ARM 23.13.203.

(14) "Misdemeanor probation/pretrial services officer" means a public safety officer who regularly performs the following functions as part of their work assignment:

(a) gathers information about pretrial defendants or misdemeanants through interviews and records checks;

(b) reports information regarding pretrial defendants or misdemeanants to a judge so the judge can determine the propriety of pretrial supervision, detainment, or sentence revocation;

(c) monitors pretrial defendants' or misdemeanants' compliance with court-ordered pretrial release or misdemeanor probation conditions;

(d) provides information and resources to pretrial defendants or misdemeanants to help prevent violations of court-ordered conditions; and

(e) reports violations of court-ordered conditions to the court.

(15) "MLEA" or "Academy" means the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.

(16) "Notice of agency action" means the document that:

(a) gives an officer the notice required under 2-4-601, MCA;

(b) informs the officer of the suspension, revocation, or sanction imposed by the POST director and the supporting reasons;

(c) initiates the 30-day time period in which an officer may request a hearing and thus initiate a contested case proceeding under MAPA.

(17) "Party" means one side, or its representative, in an informal or contested case proceeding, usually the respondent and/or POST.

(18) "POST-approved training" means training reviewed and approved pursuant to ARM 23.13.301 for which POST gives training credit, including but not limited to basic, regional, and professional courses.

(19) "POST certified instructor" means a public safety officer, as defined in these rules, who has met the requirements for and received an Instructor Certificate pursuant to these rules, and may apply for and receive approval for POST training credit pursuant to these rules, for trainings the officer conducts.

(20) "Presiding officer" means the chair of the council who holds all the same powers as a hearing examiner for the purpose of contested cases.

(21) "Public safety officer" means an officer, as defined in 44-4-401, MCA. Nothing in these rules may be construed to apply the requirements of 7-32-303 or 44-4-403, MCA to an elected official.

(22) "Respondent" means the public safety officer against whom an allegation of misconduct has been made, or the officer's legal representative.

(23) "Revocation" means the permanent cancellation by the director or council of a public safety officer's POST certificate, certification, and certifiability such that the performance of public safety officer duties is no longer permitted.

(24) "Roll call training" means instruction or training of short duration, less than two hours, within any law enforcement and/or any public safety agency, conducted when officers change shifts.

(25) "Sanction" means a consequence or punishment for a violation of ARM 23.13.702, 23.13.203, or the laws or rules of Montana.

(26) "Substance abuse" means the use of illegal drugs, other illegal substances, or legally acquired drugs in a manner 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 or safety of the public or a fellow officer.

(27) "Suspension" means the annulment, for a time period set by the director or council, of a public safety officer's POST certificate, certification, and certifiability, such that the performance of public safety or peace officer duties is not permitted during that period of time.

(28) "Voluntary surrender" means a public safety officer agrees to the revocation of the officer's certificate.�

�