Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 203.81 - Basic training(a) The Commission will reimburse each political subdivision for allowable tuition and expenses incurred by their police officers while attending certified basic police training, if the political subdivision adheres to the training standards established by the Commission. Application for reimbursement shall be made in the following manner:(1) A political subdivision shall file an application with the Commission on a form supplied by the Commission within 120 days of the completion of the training. (i) Requests submitted after 120 days shall be accompanied by a justification for late submission. The Commission will not consider requests for reimbursement received more than 1 year after the completion of the training.(ii) A separate form shall be submitted for each police officer requesting reimbursement in accordance with this chapter.(2) Following the political subdivision's annual audit, the head of the political subdivision and the individual performing the audit shall verify the proper expenditure of Commission funds. (i) Verification shall be provided on a form supplied by the Commission.(ii) The verification shall be filed with the Commission.(iii) The political subdivision shall file the form only for fiscal years in which Commission funding was provided.(b) The political subdivision may request reimbursement for the following: (1) Sixty percent of the police officer's regular salary while attending a certified basic training course.(2) Reasonable tuition for the basic police training course.(i) The Commission must approve the tuition rate prior to reimbursement. Tuition rate approval will require a majority vote of the Commission.(ii) The Commission will consider the reasonableness of the tuition rate based on the following: (A) The length of the course.(B) The instructor salaries.(D) The administrative costs.(F) The cost-effectiveness of the tuition compared with tuition charged by other institutions.(iii) The Commission-approved tuition rate is the only amount a certified school may charge a participant in the training program.(iv) A certified basic police training school may not change its tuition rate for a particular course without prior approval from the Commission. (A) Requests for tuition increases will not be considered by the Commission more than once every 2 years.(B) Requests for tuition increases shall enumerate all sources of revenue the institution receives.(C) The Commission will consider any tuition increase requests in conjunction with program changes mandated by the Commission.(3) The Commission will reimburse all reasonable subsistence and lodging costs for police officers who are not commuting to and from the basic police training course. A police officer who is commuting to and from the basic police training course will only be reimbursed for the cost of lunch.(4) Reasonable travel expenses are as follows:(i) The Commission will reimburse for police officers commuting to the basic police training course for the mileage incurred while attending the course.(ii) Noncommuters are eligible for mileage of one round trip while attending the course.(iii) Mileage reimbursement, whether for commuters or noncommuters, will only be allowed to the nearest available certified basic police training school from the police officer's place of employment.(iv) Travel shall be by the most direct route.(5) Reasonable living and travel expenses shall be governed by 4 Pa. Code Chapter 40 (relating to travel and subsistence).(c) Limitations on reimbursement are as follows: (1) A political subdivision may not be reimbursed for the basic training of a police officer if reimbursement has previously been made or claimed for the same police officer by a political subdivision.(2) A police officer who does not successfully complete the certified basic police training course and for whom reimbursement has been claimed or obtained by a political subdivision is not eligible for additional reimbursement while attending a subsequent basic police training course.(d) If the Commission determines that a request for reimbursement does not meet the requirements of the act and this chapter, the Executive Director will specify in writing and forward to the requesting political subdivision, by certified mail, return receipt requested, the reasons for the Commission action.