---
title: O.C.G.A. § 35-8-9. Completion of basic training course required; acceptance of other instruction; effect of failure to complete basic training requirements; limitation.
collection: code
id: 35-8-9
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 35-8-9 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-8-9
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-8-9.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-8-9/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t35-t36-ch1-59-(v27)-2025-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=66569db4_0#page=277
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-8.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Session of the General Assembly of Georgia
heading_path: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND AGENCIES / EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OF PEACE OFFICERS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 35-8-9. Completion of basic training course required; acceptance of other instruction; effect of failure to complete basic training requirements; limitation.

(a) In addition to complying with the preemployment standards as set forth in Code Section 35-8-8, each and every candidate shall satisfactorily complete a basic training course prior to his or her appointment as a peace officer.

(b) The council shall have the authority to recognize instruction received by a candidate if, in the determination of the council, such instruction is at least equivalent to that required by this chapter. If such instruction is recognized, then it shall be in lieu of part or parts of the minimum hours of instruction required for certification by this chapter.

(c) Should any candidate fail to complete successfully the basic training requirements specified in this Code section, he or she shall not perform any of the duties of a peace officer involving the power of arrest until such training shall have been successfully completed.

(d) A municipal correctional institution covered under the provisions of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (7) and subparagraph (C) of paragraph (8) of Code Section 35-8-2 shall not be permitted to have more than ten correctional officers in any 12 month period take the basic training course necessary to become a certified peace officer.

## History

Ga. L. 1970, p. 208, § 9; Ga. L. 1975, p. 1165, § 6; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1004, § 1; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1355, § 1; Ga. L. 1997, p. 1488, § 4A.