Qualifications, Certifications, and Training

This page shall detail the basic requirements for qualifications, certifications, and training to operate in the auxiliary.
The first requirement is a CCW or proof of exemption from a CCW (i.e. as a former peace officer). The CCW application process ensures some minimal training in self-defense law, minimal competence in handguns, and a Sheriff's Office background check. As the Sheriff's office is already set up to process these applications, no additional structure is required for identity and background.
The officer applicant is then required to have at the least the following additional training:

• The County EMA CERT 21-hour course, which covers a broad selection of topics we require, including fire suppression. We shall regularly schedule group classes in order to make this process easy.
• Adult First Aid/CPR, equivalent or higher expertise. Emergency Medical Responder or Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) training are optional but strongly recommended.

The officer is then expected to obtain the following in a timely fashion:

• An 8 hour course on Constitution, law, the functioning of the Sheriff's Office, and the Auxiliary (CLA-I and CLA-II).
• A Sheriff's office orientation on coordinating with their office and including at least one 'ride-along' day.
• Our own 1-day course on Communications, including 2-way radio use within our organization, waived for Amateur Radio Licensees (recommended) or recognized equivalent public service radio training and experience.
• A practical 1-day course on field deployment (usually we accept observed field exercise participation).
• The Sheriff Auxiliary's  3-hour Securing and Disabling Weapons practical (see Tactical Training) or approved equivalent.
• A 4-hour course in Weapon Retention and Empty Hand Techniques (see Tactical Training) or approved equivalent.
• IS-100 and IS-700

Beyond this, an officer shall be required to participate in a minimum amount of annual field training with the unit, to keep certifications current, and encouraged to advance their expertise in a specialty (e.g. communications, first aid, firearms training, shelter operations, search-and-rescue, demolitions and light construction). Each officer is also required to spend a minimum number of hours each year (TBD) teaching emergency skills in courses available to the public.
Enlisted Candidates shall be required to have:

• The Missouri CCW.
• Adult First Aid/CPR, equivalent or higher expertise. First Responder training is optional but encouraged.

The enlistee is then expected to obtain in a timely fashion:

• The County EMA CERT 21-hour course
• The Sheriff Auxiliary's  3-hour Securing and Disabling Weapons practical (see Tactical Training) or approved equivalent.
• A 4-hour course in Weapon Retention and Empty Hand Techniques (see Tactical Training) or approved equivalent.
• And work toward the NCO requirements

A Non-Commissioned Officer is required to obtain:

• A 3 hour course on Constitution, law, the functioning of the Sheriff's Office, and the Auxiliary (CLA-I).
• Our own 1-day course on Communications, including 2-way radio use within our organization, waived for Amateur Radio Licensees (recommended) or recognized equivalent public service radio training and experience..
• A practical 2-day course on field deployment.
• Further training in at least one specialty (communications, first aid, firearms training, shelter operations, search-and-rescue, demolitions and light construction)
• ICS-100

Beyond this, an NCO shall be required to participate in a minimum amount of annual field training with the unit, to keep certifications current, and encouraged to advance their expertise in their main or an additional specialty (e.g. communications, first aid, firearms training, shelter operations, search-and-rescue, demolitions and light construction).

Warrant Officers are specialists in a specific discipline whose expertise requires that they be in command of missions related directly to their specialty (e.g. a medical specialist in charge of organizing aid locally for victims of a disaster, an ARES operator in charge of field communications) and with minimal additional cross-training to function within the unit.

• A Missouri CCW, CDL, or Red Cross DSR-ID.
• Sufficient training and experience to be recognized as an expert within their specialty.
• Adult First Aid/CPR, equivalent or higher expertise. Emergency Medical Responder or TECC training is optional.
• Our own 1-day course on Communications, including 2-way radio use within our organization, waived for Amateur Radio Licensees (recommended) or recognized equivalent public service radio training and experience..
• A practical 1-day course on field deployment.

 
A Chief Warrant Officer is additionally required to have:

• An 8 hour course on Constitution, law, the functioning of the Sheriff's Office, and the Auxiliary (CLA-I and CLA-II).
• The Sheriff Auxiliary's  3-hour Securing and Disabling Weapons practical (see Tactical Training) or approved equivalent.
• A 4-hour course in Weapon Retention and Empty Hand Techniques (see Tactical Training) or approved equivalent.
• IS-100

As the training and qualifications are finalized, there shall be an emphasis on leadership training among officers, practical training and field experience among the non-commissioned officers. Officers are expected to rely on the expertise of their non-coms; Warrant Officers are expected to rely on the experience of their non-coms outside their specialty and on commissioned officers for knowledge of law, coordinating with the Sheriff's Office, and working within the Auxiliary structure.
Individuals below the age of 21 (and therefore ineligible for the CCW) may participate by special exception of the Sheriff. The rules for volunteer cadets shall be laid out at a future date.