Section
12-63-01.    Definitions.
12-63-01.1  Peace officer standards and training board - Membership - Duties.
12-63-02.    License required.
12-63-02.1. Part-time peace officer license.
12-63-02.2. Tribal police officers.
12-63-03.    Persons and practices not affected.
12-63-04.    Board - Powers - Duties - Authority.
12-63-05.    Fees.
12-63-06.    Application for license.
12-63-07.    Examination for license.
12-63-08.    Exception from training requirement-Issuance of certain licenses as of right.
12-63-09.    Limited license.
12-63-10.    Issuance of license.
12-63-11.    Renewal of license.
12-63-12.    Adverse license action - Appeal.
12-63-13.    Notice and hearing on adverse license action.
12-63-14.    Penalty.
12-63-15.    Temporary Suspension - Appeal.
12-63-16.    Costs of prosecution - Disciplinary proceedings
 

12-63-01. Definitions. As used in this chapter:

1. "Board" means the peace officer standards and training board.

2. "Part-time peace officer license" means a license issued to an individual authorized
by law or appointed by a criminal justice agency of this state on a salaried or
nonsalaried basis to enforce the law and to conduct or engage in investigations of
violations of the law for no more than an average of twenty hours per week, not
including time spent on call when no call to active duty is received, calculated on an
annual basis.

2. "Peace officer" means a public servant authorized by law or by government agency or branch to enforce the law and to conduct or engage in investigations of violations of the law.
 

       12-63-02. License required. An individual may not perform peace officer law enforcement duties in this state unless the individual is licensed under sections 12-63-01 through 12-63-14.
 

       12-63-02.1. Part-time peace officer license.

         1. Except as provided in this section, all provisions of this chapter apply to part-time
         peace officer licenses. Except as limited by this section, a part-time licensed peace
         officer of this state has the authority of a licensed peace officer of this state.

         2. The board shall issue a part-time license to any individual appointed by a criminal
         justice agency who meets the requirements of this chapter and the rules of the board
         for a part-time peace officer license.

         3. A criminal justice agency may appoint part-time licensed peace officers to
         supplement and assist licensed peace officers. A criminal justice agency may not
         appoint a part-time licensed peace officer unless the part-time licensed peace officer
         acts under the direct or indirect supervision of a licensed peace officer designated by
         the criminal justice agency.

         4. A part-time licensed peace officer may not exercise peace officer duties, including
         the exercise of arrest authority, when off duty.

         5. Unless the part-time licensed peace officer has a valid North Dakota concealed
         weapons license, a part-time licensed peace officer may not carry a duty weapon or
         concealed weapon when off duty.

         6. The board shall establish criteria for part-time licenses, including training curriculum,
         examination requirements, weapon training and certification, licensing requirements,
         and continuing education requirements.

         7. The board shall adopt rules to implement part-time peace officer licenses and shall
         establish by rule fees for application for examination, initial licensing, renewal and
         late renewal, and reinstatement of part-time peace officer licenses.
 

       12-63-02.2. Tribal police officers.

         1. A tribal police officer of a federally recognized Indian tribe in this state who meets
          the requirements of this chapter and the rules adopted by the board is eligible for a
          peace officer license or part-time peace officer license.

         2. The board shall issue a peace officer license or part-time peace officer license to a
          tribal police officer who is eligible for a peace officer license or part-time peace
          officer license under this section and who has paid the prescribed license fee if:

                    a. The tribal police officer has been appointed as a special deputy in accordance
                    with section 11-15-02;

                    b. The tribal police officer is employed by the state or a political subdivision; or

                    c. There is an agreement between the state or a political subdivision and the tribe
                    for tribal police officers to perform law enforcement services.

         3. A tribal police officer who is a member of a police force of a tribal government and
         who is licensed under this section may exercise the powers of a peace officer of this
         state within the exterior boundaries of the reservation, or off the reservation, in
         accordance with the terms and conditions of the special deputy appointment, the
         employment agreement, or the agreement between the state or political subdivision
         and the tribe.

         4. A tribal police officer who has a peace officer license under this section is subject to
         this chapter and the rules adopted by the board, including requirements for license
         renewal or reinstatement, annual sidearm qualification, and continuing education.

        5. The state or political subdivision is not liable for any act or omission of a tribal police
        officer exercising peace officer powers authorized by an agreement between the
        state or a political subdivision and a tribe.

        6. This section does not diminish or expand the jurisdiction of any tribe or the state.
 

      12-63-03. Persons and practices not affected. Sections 12-63-01 through 12-63-14 do not prevent or restrict the practice of peace officer duties or activities of:

1. Auxiliary personnel such as members of organized groups for purposes such as posse, search and rescue, and security at dances, if the group operates as adjunct to the police or sheriffs department, and does not have arrest powers or peace officer authority delegated to its members by the department.

2. A reserve officer such as an individual used by a municipal, county, or state law enforcement agency to provide services to that jurisdiction on a nonsalaried basis and who is granted full arrest authority.

3. A person who provides private investigative services in this state.

4. A person doing private security work or any private security agency.

5. A person performing peace officer duties in an official capacity as a federal officer.

      12-63-04. Board - Powers - Duties - Authority. The board shall administer, coordinate, and enforce the provisions of this chapter, evaluate the qualifications of applicants, and approve the examinations for licensing under this chapter.

1. The board shall:

a. Prescribe the criteria for certification of basic, advanced, and specialized peace officer training curriculum, instructors, and schools;

          b. Certify curriculum, instructors, schools, and officers that have met the training certification criteria;

          c. Establish the curriculum for basic and advanced peace officer training; and

d. Prescribe minimum standards of sidearm training and certification for peace officers before they may carry a sidearm.

2. The board shall keep records and minutes necessary to carry out its functions. The board may:

a. Issue subpoenas, examine witnesses, administer oaths, and investigate allegations of practices violating the provisions of this chapter or rules adopted by the  board.

b. Examine, under oath, any applicant for licensing.

c. Examine, under oath, any licensed peace officer during a hearing to suspend, revoke, or to not renew a license of a peace officer.

d. Adopt rules that relate to professional conduct of peace officers and to implement the requirements of this chapter, including rules relating to professional licensure, continuing education, and ethical standards of practice, for persons holding a license to practice peace officer duties.

       12-63-05. Fees. The board shall prescribe by rule the fee for application for examination, for an initial license, for renewal of a license, and for late renewal of a license. The board shall administer fees received under this chapter in accordance with section 54-44-12.
 

       12-63-06. Application for license. An applicant for a license as a peace officer shall file a written application provided by the board showing to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant:

1. Is of good moral character.

2. Possesses a high school diploma or general education equivalency certificate.

3. Has had a complete background investigation conducted by the parent agency or the division.

4. Has passed a medical and psychological examination approved or prescribed by the board.

5. Has successfully completed a training program recognized by the board.

6. Has passed an examination as provided in section 12-63-07 or has arranged to take such an examination and is eligible for a limited license under section 12-63-09.

7. Has complied with rules of the board.
 

1. Only a person satisfying the requirements of subsections 1 through 5 of section 12-63-06 may apply for examination. The application must be filed in the manner the board prescribes and be accompanied by fee prescribed under section 12-63-05. The fee is nonrefundable. A person who fails an examination may apply for reexamination upon payment of the prescribed fee.

2. Each applicant for licensing must be examined by written examination as established by the board.

3. Applicants for licensing must be examined at a time and place and under supervision as the board requires.

4. Applicants may obtain their examination scores and may review their papers in accordance with rules adopted by the board.

       12-63-08. Exception from training requirement - issuance of certain licenses as of right.

1. Peace officers with experience or training outside this state before January 1, 1989, may qualify for exception from portions of the training requirement. The applicant shall apply to the board for an exception. After review the board may grant a complete or partial exception. Before the issuance of a license, the applicant must successfully complete the written examination.

2. The board shall grant a license to any person certified as a peace officer before July 1, 1989.

       12-63-09. Limited license. Pending successful completion of the written examination required in this chapter, the board may grant a limited license to a person who has completed the education, medical, and psychological examination requirements and has been qualified to carry a sidearm. The limited license allows the person to practice peace officer duties in accordance with rules of the board. Except as otherwise provided, the limited license is valid for no longer than the earlier of the expiration of the next available training session, until the person is issued a license under section 12-63-10, or until the limited license is suspended or revoked by the board. After being employed but before taking the written examination, the person shall attend the first available basic training program recognized by the board. The limited license may be renewed one time if the person has failed the examination. On terms and conditions prescribed by the board, the limited license is limited to the jurisdiction in which the person is employed.
 

       12-63-10. Issuance of license. The board shall issue a license to any person who meets the requirements of this chapter and who has paid the prescribed license fee.
 

       12-63-11. Renewal of license.

1. A license expires three years from the date of its issuance and must be renewed in the manner prescribed by the board and on payment of a renewal fee and on a show of proof that the individual has met the requirements established by the board for continuing education. The board may provide for the late renewal of a license on payment of a late fee, but a late renewal of a license may not be granted more than one year after expiration of the license.

2. On request, the board shall grant inactive status to a licensee who does not perform the duties of a peace officer.

       12-63-12. Adverse license action - Appeal.

1. The board may deny a license, refuse to renew a license, suspend a license, or revoke a license, or may impose probationary conditions if the person:

a. Has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere before a court of competent jurisdiction in any state, or before any court, of an offense determined by the board to have a direct bearing upon a person's ability to serve as a peace officer, or the board determines, following a conviction or adjudication, that the person is not rehabilitated under section 12.1-33-02.1.

b. Has used unjustified deadly force in the performance of the duties as a peace officer as described in section 12.1-05-07.

c. Has made a false material statement under oath to the board.

d. Has made a false material statement to the board while obtaining or renewing a license or permit.

e. Has violated this chapter.

2. Denial, refusal to renew, suspension, revocation, or imposition of probationary condition on a license may be ordered by the board after a hearing in a manner provided by rules adopted by the board. An application for reinstatement may be made to the board one year from the date of the refusal to renew or the revocation of the license. The board may accept or reject an application for reinstatement and may hold a hearing to consider the reinstatement. In the case of a denial of an application, the applicant may not reapply for a period of one year from the date of the order of denial.

3. An appeal from the final decision of the board to refuse to issue, to not renew, to     suspend, or to revoke a license may be made to the district court. Venue is the county in which the aggrieved person resides. The appeal must be made within ninety days from the service of the decision on the person.

      12-63-13. Notice and hearing on adverse license action. The board may, on a verified complaint of any person setting forth facts which, if proven, would constitute grounds for refusal, suspension, nonrenewal, or revocation of a license, investigate the actions of any person holding or claiming to hold a license. Before taking the adverse action, the board shall, at least ten days before the date set for the hearing, give written notice to the subject of the adverse action of any charges made and shall afford that person an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel on the matter. The written notice may be served by personal service or by registered mail. If service cannot be made by personal service or registered mail, then service may be made by publication in the county of residence specified by the person in the person's last communication with the board. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the board shall conduct the hearing on the charges. Both the accused person and the complainant are entitled to ample opportunity to present in person or by counsel, statements, testimony, evidence, and argument pertinent to the charges or to any defense. The board may continue the hearing from time to time.
 

       12-63-14. Penalty. Any person who willfully violates this chapter is guilty of a class B
misdemeanor.
 

       12-63-15. Temporary suspension - Appeal.

1. The board may order a temporary suspension of a peace officer's license ex parte if the board finds, based on verified evidence, probable cause to believe that:

a. A peace officer has violated this chapter or a rule of the board;

b. Continued performance of peace officer law enforcement duties would create a significant risk of serious and ongoing harm to the public while a disciplinary proceeding is pending; and

c. Immediate suspension of the peace officer's license is required to reasonably protect the public from that risk of harm.

For purposes of this section, evidence is verified if sworn to before an officer authorized to administer oaths or equivalent affirmations.

2. An ex parte temporary suspension remains in effect for not more than sixty days, unless otherwise terminated by the board.

3. The board shall set the date of a full hearing on the cause and grounds for discipline regarding the license at a time not later than sixty days after the issuance of the exparte temporary suspension order. Within three days after the issuance of the ex parte suspension order, the board shall serve the peace officer with a copy of the order along with a copy of the complaint and notice of the date set for the full hearing.

4. The peace officer may appeal the ex parte temporary suspension order prior to the full hearing. For purposes of  appeal, the district court shall decide whether the board acted reasonably or arbitrarily. The court shall give priority to the appeal for prompt disposition. Unless otherwise ordered by the district court, an appeal by the peace officer of the ex parte temporary suspension order does not stay the effectiveness or validity of the ex parte temporary license suspension.

       12-63-16. Costs of prosecution - Disciplinary proceedings. In a disciplinary proceeding in which disciplinary action is imposed against a peace officer, the board may direct the peace officer to pay the board a sum not to exceed the reasonable and actual costs of the case, including reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the board or its authorized representatives in the investigation, prosecution, resolution, and hearings, whether held before the board, a hearing officer, or administrative law judge. When applicable, the peace officer's license may be suspended until the costs are paid to the board. A peace officer may challenge the reasonableness of any cost in a hearing under      chapter 28-32. The administrative law judge may approve, deny, or modify any cost,  and determination of the judge is final. If requested, the hearing must occur before the peace officer's license may be suspended for nonpayment.