As mandated by Georgia law, all communications officers must complete a 40-hour training program within the first 6 months of employment (both part-time and full-time) to obtain a certification as a communications officers through the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST).
Step 1: Employment
To attend the course, you must be currently employed by a governmental agency and have an approved application for certification on file with the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
Step 2: POST Application
Students who wish to enroll in the Basic Communications Officer Program must complete a POST application, which can be done online.
Step 3: Registration
After the POST application is complete, the agency’s training officer should enroll the student in the Basic Communications Officer Training program. The POST application does not have to be approved before enrolling the Communications Officer in the course. However, students will not be accepted into the program unless POST has approved the application at least 30 days before the course start date. Since the course must be completed within the candidates first six months of employment, admission priority is given to employees of local governmental agencies who are still within the six-month deadline.
Step 4: POSTFORM-2 (P2)
POST Council no longer issues hard copies of the POSTFORM-2 (P2). Instead, an electronic P2 number will be issued and forwarded directly to the Course Coordinator by POST Council. Agencies are not required to wait for notification from POST that the P2 number has been issued before applying for the course; however, the student will not be accepted unless a P2 number has been issued.
Questions?
Contact the Georgia Fire Academy at GPSTC’s main campus in Forsyth, GA.