Sheriff's command staff earns highest POST certification

Two Douglas County sheriff's captains have received Peace Officer Standards and Training executive certification, the highest attainable designation.

Capts. David Aymami and John Milby completed the requirements and received their certificates on July 18, joining the rest of the sheriff's office command staff in earning the honors.

"It's quite an honor," said Sheriff Ron Pierini. "They did a lot of it on their own time."

Pierini said the Douglas County Sheriff's Office is one of the few " if not the only " agency in the state to have all its command officers earn the executive certification.

Pierini, Undersheriff Paul Howell and captains Mike Biaggini and Keith Logan have completed the certification.

Applicants had to earn intermediate, advanced and management certificates before they could earn the executive certificates.

Other qualifications in-clude six years of experience as a peace officer, including a year of experience at the command level and a current assignment at the command level.

"They also have duties to formulate and enforce department policy," Pierini said.

"I always consider POST certification like a license to be a law enforcement officer," Pierini said. "You have to have so many training hours per year. This achievement doesn't mean you still don't have ongoing training."

Pierini is the chairman of the state commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training.

"Since they are my employees, I wasn't allowed to vote on their certification," he said. "I am very proud of them."

Earning the executive certificate involves 800 hours of advanced in-service POST training, 18 college credits in subjects related to peace officers' training including English, public speaking and instructor development.