Section 2106.1 - Sheriff training requirement(a)Certification required.-- (1) It shall be the duty of any sheriff elected after the effective date of this section and not holding certification as either a deputy sheriff or sheriff on the first Monday in January next following the election, during the sheriff's term of office: (i) To obtain the education and training as provided in section 5, subject to any reduction in hours as provided in subsection (c).(ii) To meet the requirements for continuing education after certification.(iii) To obtain reinstatement of a previously revoked certification, if applicable.(2) In the case of a county which has adopted a home rule charter which provides for the appointment of the sheriff, a sheriff appointed after the effective date of this section shall obtain certification under this section within 18 months of appointment.(b)Continuing education.--Every sheriff shall, while in office, meet the requirements for continuing education established by the board, with the review and approval of the commission.(c) Prior education, training or experience.--The board, with the review and approval of the commission, shall have the authority and the discretion to reduce the hours of education and training required in section 5 for those sheriffs required to receive education and training who, because of prior education, training or experience, have acquired knowledge or skill equivalent to that provided by the program.(d) Sheriffs in office.--Any sheriff holding office on the effective date of this section shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements for training under section 5 and shall receive certification from the board. From the date of the certification under this subsection, sheriffs shall be subject to continuing education as provided in subsection (b).(e) Ineligibility.--Any sheriff failing to receive and maintain certification as provided in this section shall be ineligible to be on the ballot for the office of sheriff for any term subsequent to that referred to in subsection (a).(f) Vacancies.-- (1) Any person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of sheriff shall be certified or, in the alternative, obtain and maintain certification during the term for which the person is appointed in accordance with subsection (a). Any person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of sheriff who does not fulfill the requirements of subsection (a) shall be ineligible for subsequent election as provided in subsection (e).(2) No person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of sheriff where the balance of the unexpired term is less than one year shall be subject to the requirements of paragraph (1). However, a person who is elected to a term as sheriff immediately following the person's previously appointed term of less than one year is subject to the requirements of subsection (a).(g)Purpose and legislative intent.--It is hereby declared to be a public policy of this Commonwealth that sheriffs receive and maintain education and training equivalent to that required by law of deputy sheriffs in order to preserve the safety of county facilities, employees and residents. It is further declared that a newly elected sheriff have an opportunity to satisfy the requirements of this act during the sheriff's first term, notwithstanding past training and experience.Added by P.L. 1006 2014 No. 114, § 6, eff. 9/7/2014.