FAQ
Below are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions. If you still need assistance you can contact the Training Center by phone at (478) 993-4000 or email the webmaster. Please include your name and contact information in your message when emailing the webmaster if you would like a response.
Where can I find the Open Records Act for Law Enforcement?
How can I get a copy of the calendar?
What is the Motorcycle helmet requirement?
How do I become a Police Officer?
How can I become a Firefighter or how can I get Firefighter training?
What is needed to progress through intermediate and advanced certification?
What are the physical requirements for becoming a police officer or to attend training?
How do I contact the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council?
How do I contact the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council?
How can public safety agencies obtain access to online registration and agency transcripts?
How can I get a transcript of the classes I've taken at the Training Center?
Where can I find the Open Records Act for Law Enforcement?
You can download and print a copy of the Act by clicking here.
How can I get a copy of the calendar?
You can download and print the training calendar from the GPSTC web site at:
http://www.gpstc.georgia.gov
For a printed calendar or CD version, contact the Learning Resource Center at 478-993-4294 or mail your request and $2 for shipping to the following address:
GPSTC
Learning Resource Center
Georgia Public Safety Training Center
1000 Indian Springs Drive
Forsyth, GA 31029-9599
Please make check or money order payable to Georgia Public Safety Training Center.
What is the Motorcycle helmet requirement?
The Department Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division has a web site: http://www.dmvs.ga.gov
Drivers' License Information (678) 413-8400
How do I become a Police Officer?
Assuming you meet the minimums for eligibility for certification, the first requirement for being a peace officer is you must become certified under the rules of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council rules, (1). Some people get hired by a police agency first then the agency sends them to a basic training program for certification at no cost to the student. Other people attend basic training on their own or use the HOPE grant to pay the tuition ($2,580), and, upon successful completion, are ready to be certified once an agency hires them. In a nutshell, that's the process.
For more information about POST certification, visit the POST web site at http://www.gapost.org
How can I become a Firefighter or how can I get Firefighter training?
If you are currently affiliated with a Fire Department in the State of Georgia (even as a volunteer) there are no costs involved. You would simply have your Training Officer:
1) Fill out a Student Authorization Form (available on line) and mail/fax in to us or,
2) Register on-line using the Fire Department's I.D. number/password.
If you are not with a Fire Department in Georgia right now you are still eligible for training here however there is a cost for tuition, meals, and lodging for private citizens. Tuition costs are $15.00 per course hour, lodging is $14.00 per day double occupancy and meals are generally no more than $12.00 per day. You will also be required to supply your own gear. (If you don't have gear and need to rent contact Gloves, Inc. at 770-944-9186). If you are interested in attending class you will fill out and submit the same Student Authorization Form as mentioned above.
You can take a look at courses we offer on our website at www.gfa.gpstc.georgia.gov . Each course description will supply you with dates, items needed, prerequisites, etc.
Check our web site for an academy in your area.
What is needed to progress through intermediate and advanced certification?
The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council have the statutory authority for issuing all certifications involving peace officers in Georgia. An excellent description of the requirements for any GaPOST certification is available at their website: http://www.gapost.org .
At their homepage, go to the section titled Applications and Forms and scroll down to the applications for Intermediate or Advanced certifications. The statutory mission of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center is to offer training, not to certify officers. We do that, either in Forsyth or at one of our Regional Police Academies, by offering the five core courses for the Intermediate, and the seven core courses necessary for the Advanced certification. You may find a listing of the offerings of those twelve courses at our website: http://www.gpstc.georgia.gov .
What are the physical requirements for becoming a police officer or to attend training?
The physical standards are varied based upon which the agency requirements for the agency which employs you. Although the minimum requirements for Peace Officer Certification are set forth in O.C.G.A. 35-8, the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Act, these represent only the minimum state physical requirements. Individual peace officer agencies routinely require more than the state minimums. You may find more information at the POST website at: http://www.gapost.org. As far as the physical requirements for the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, GPSTC, there are no across-the-board physical requirements past the state minimums with the exception of special courses and basic mandate courses offered by one of our user agencies, i.e. Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Depart of Natural Resources, etc. Those limited occurrence special courses, such as the Police Corps program and several physical fitness programs, give the requirements for each course in the course description listed in our calendar. You may learn more about these courses by browsing our website at: http://www.gpstc.georgia.gov.
How do I contact the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council?
Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council
5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road
Suite 261
Austell, Georgia 30106
Phone: (770) 732-5974
FAX (770) 732-5952
Website: http://www.gapost.org/
How do I contact the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council?
Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council
1000 Indian Springs Drive
Forsyth, GA 31029-9599
478-993-4524
http://www.gfstc.georgia.gov.
I have previous law enforcement experience in another state or with the federal government. Can I transfer this certification to Georgia?
If you are certified in another state or were a federal peace officer and have not had more than a three (3) year break in service, you may be eligible to exempt portions of the Georgia Basic Law Enforcement Training Course. If you feel that you meet this requirement, you may request an equivalency rating. In your written request, you must include: 1. Basic Course Completion Certificate 2. Copy of State Issued Certification, and 3. Law Enforcement History (Resume)
At this time only local and state governmental agencies plus those that are tuition free are able to register on line. All other applications should be mailed or faxed to Registration for acceptance. The Student Authorization Form must be signed by the agency head (or designee) authorizing the applicant's participation in the training. For more information contact: Registration Georgia Public Safety Training Center 1000 Indian Springs Drive Forsyth, GA 31029-9599 478-993-4412 Fax: 478-993-4303 Email: register@gpstc.state.ga.us
How can public safety agencies obtain access to online registration and agency transcripts?
Public Safety Agencies can now register students online and view or print agency or student transcripts. An Agency PIN number and password are required to access this feature. For information regarding establishing an Agency Online Registration account, e-mail the webmaster or call (478) 993-4425.
How can I get a transcript of the classes I've taken at the Training Center?
Students of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center can retrieve a copy of their training record online. A personal PIN number is required to display the record. Instructions for obtaining a personal PIN number is available by clicking the Student Transcripts link below. If a PIN has been obtained, follow the instructions to retrieve the record. http://www.ganet.org/gpstc/Registration/transcript.cgi
Associated Document(s): |
blue_book.pdf |
| Open Records Act for Law Enforcement |