Introduction to CLEET Certification
Regulating security and law enforcement personnel in Oklahoma is overseen by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, also known as CLEET. The primary function of CLEET is to certify and regulate private security and law enforcement officers in the state. The authority provided in Title 59 O.S. § 1750.1 et. seq. includes setting minimum training requirements and governing other aspects of the approval process.
The Council was created in 1963 to "improve the quality of law enforcement personnel in Oklahoma by providing a training program for law enforcement agencies and officers throughout the state." In addition, its role was to establish a system for licensure and certification of those who perform such positions. Although some of the board’s duties have expanded over time, its primary function is to certify all the law enforcement personnel hired by any governmental agency. This recognition came in the form of the 1988 amendment to the original bill creating the Council .
Today, there are more than 13,000 law enforcement officers who have been certified by the CLEET Board. Any person who is interested in becoming a law enforcement officer in Oklahoma must attend CLEET’s Law Enforcement Academy located in Ada.
While Oklahoma law enforcement officers are generally required to complete specific training programs before being hired, two exceptions exist. These include officers who have received their certifications from another state within the past five years or where a person has served honorably for two years. Military police units, although they are still law enforcement officers, are exempt from certifications, as are certain federally employed law enforcement officers.
Those who are hired as security officers (not certified peace officers) and wish to maintain employment and perform security services in Oklahoma must apply for licensure through the Council. All such private security officers are subject to regulation within the state.
CLEET Certification Basic Requirements
A candidate must be at least 21 years of age or will attain such age in not more than six (6) months from the date of application. After completing an application for licensure, the applicant will be subject to a background check by the OSBI and FBI. The applicant may not have a felony conviction or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; have illegally used a controlled dangerous substance (narcotics, drugs, marijuana, hashish, or alcohol to the extent that the applicant would constitute a hazard to him/herself or others); or have had a license or certification to act in a professional capacity revoked for misconduct in any state, territory, or other jurisdiction in the United States or elsewhere.
CLEET Certification Training Programs and Curriculum
To be eligible for state certification, the applicant must have completed a minimum 240 hours of approved training from a basic police training program. This basic training program is held at a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) or at a CLEET accredited basic training facility. The basic training program must be at least 480 hours and cover the following areas: All persons who successfully complete this basic training program receive a Basic Certificate, which satisfies the requirements for certification at the basic level. After an officer has completed the basic training program and has been awarded a Basic Certificate, he or she is eligible for certification as a peace officer at the intermediate, advanced, and supervisory levels. For each of these levels, there are additional training requirements to fulfill: In addition, the State provides discretion to CLEET to determine those applicants who qualify for basic certification based on prior service in another state. If the applicant was employed in a position equivalent to that of a certified Oklahoma officer in Oklahoma for at least one year, he or she may be certified without further basic training or examination.
CLEET Certification Process and Exams
In order to achieve certification, candidates must complete an application process as well as a series of exams specific to their chosen category of private security service. The initial step in the certification process is to submit a general application along with the proper category application and a $50 non-refundable processing fee to the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET). In addition, each candidate seeking certification must have their fingerprints taken at a local law enforcement agency and submit them to CLEET for a ten-year background check along with a $45 fee. A valid certificate is required before a person may act as a private security service professional in the State of Oklahoma.
After this preliminary application step, examinations will be administered, which vary depending on the certificate sought. Depending on the category, a first exam is given to determine the candidates’ knowledge of Oklahoma’s private security laws and regulations. For unarmed security guards, the next step is a second exam known as a firearms qualification test that entails a basic shooting proficiency examination. Certain armed categories such as armed guards or security officer/law enforcement cross badges must pass a psychological test as a part of their certification process. The CLEET conducts the basic shooting proficiency examination at designated firing ranges or authorized shooting ranges throughout the state.
Maintaining and Renewing CLEET Certification
To maintain their certification, officers must either have been continuously employed on a full-time basis for two (2) years in an Oklahoma CLEET Licensed Law Enforcement agency and have completed the In-Service Training requirements as outlined in Rule 430:10-7-3 or have a non-expired CLEET Peace Officer Certificate, wherein they qualify for, have maintained, and have not had their certification suspended or revoked for a period of six (6) months . To renew their certification, officers must ensure that the majority of their in-service training totals 600 hours or more and is received from a Department certified instructor or a Crime Commission approved instructor, that they have complied with all mandated certifications outlined by CLEET, that they have not served a suspension or revocation of their CLEET certification without reinstatement, and that their employment with a law enforcement agency has not lapsed for a period of six months through natural expiration. The status of certification is deemed expired unless the chief is exempted by special action of the Council by reason of hardship. For the purpose of this rule, hardship shall not be either financial or administrative hardship merely as a result of loss of personnel. If an officer’s certification expires, a department representative must forward the required training documentation to CLEET authorizing the recertification.
CLEET Certification Career Opportunities
Earning a certification from the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) opens a wide range of career opportunities to Oklahomans. A person seeking to become a police officer, sheriff’s deputy or other law enforcement professional will need to obtain certification in the State of Oklahoma. The same is true if that person hopes to go on to become a security guard, private investigator, licensed armored carrier, uniformed switch watch, public firefighter or dispatcher, or a federal fire safety inspector. Every one of those occupations requires certification by CLEET.
Once a person has obtained their CLEET certification in one of the areas above, other career paths become available. For example, state law in Oklahoma prohibits anyone from working as a Private Security Guard without obtaining CLEET certification. If a person has already completed their training and obtained their certification as a law enforcement officer, they have fulfilled the requirements for becoming a Security Guard. Security Guards are not required to undergo any additional certification, unless they choose to. An experienced private security guard who earns their certification as an armed security officer through CLEET fulfills all the training requirements for becoming an armed facility security officer. And, again, no additional certification is needed.
If an officer, guard, deputy, investigator or other professional wants to advance their career, there are further certifications available through CLEET. The Firearms Armorer Certification, for example, provides training in operating, cleaning, transporting, modifying, and inspecting firearms. In addition, CLEET offers the Certified Fire Inspector II program, for those who currently hold the Inspector I certification. Among others, these programs are available for people with existing certifications from CLEET.
For those individuals who are contemplating a career in law enforcement, or perhaps making a change from the private sector, it is important to choose a career path that will offer them the best opportunities. In short, obtaining certification through CLEET will make them an attractive candidate for law enforcement positions or allow them to expand their employment options once certification is secured.
CLEET Certification FAQs
Q: Who is required to take CLEET training to renew their certification?
A: Non-lethal Weapons personnel are required to complete the training as well as their supervisor and service representative. It is also a good idea to have training on file for everyone you issue a non-lethal weapon to.
Q: If we never issue the same staff member the same non-lethal weapon more than once a year, do they have to be retrained in that product?
A: Unfortunately that is not the case. Since at least one person is required to have the full certification per year, even if you issue a non-lethal weapon to different staff members every single year, each and every staff member will need to be trained.
Q: Does watching the DVD or doing the online course count as certification?
A: No. The online course or DVD is only offered so that the training deadline can be completed once the in-person training deadline has passed. Some of the newer online options even do have a video that you can watch in place of the old DVD, but those do not count towards certification. You must take the in-person training class or a board-approved class to gain credit for your certification.
Q: What if we don’t do any deadly force training in our facility?
A: Non-lethal weapons should not be used in a deadly force scenario. If we are doing full deadly force training as a facility and staff are still making input errors during drills then that is different . But if, even with staff input, there was never a deadly force incident, then you probably don’t need to worry about it. Just make sure you document that you’ve talked with your staff about the proper use of non-lethal weapons.
Q: My staff is not comfortable with firearms on the property and is not performing at a level fitting of his/her job function. Can I use non-lethal force in place of deadly force at our facility?
A: You can use non-lethal weapons as a substitute for deadly force as long as the situation calls for the use of a "force equivalent" weapon. If an inmate is armed with a deadly force weapon (i.e. filed down toothbrush into shank), and all you have are these rubber bullets, you will be out-gunned. On the flip-side, you can’t have your staff member armed with the latest tactical vest and an expansive gun belt and then issue the ineffectual Other-Less-Lethal® Rubber Bullet without a deadly force weapon on them. Your staff member must be prepared for any situation and must be issued appropriate equipment for the anticipated use.
Q: Why does this seem complicated?
A: Yes, it is complicated, but it is complicated for good reason. The safety and security of your facility depends on appropriate non-lethal weapons training and being CLEET certified. Beyond that, your staff is ultimately responsible for what happens in the facility. It is in everyone’s best interest that what happens behind closed doors during a disturbance/reach-out/hand-off, etc. the only damage is to inmate health and safety.