Iowa Code Title III. Public Services and Regulation [Chs. 80-122C] § 80B.11E. Academy training--application by individual--individual expense

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an individual who is not a certified law enforcement officer may apply for attendance at the law enforcement academy if such individual is sponsored by a law enforcement agency that either intends to hire or has hired the individual as a law enforcement officer on the condition that the individual meets the minimum eligibility standards described in subsection 2. The costs for attendance by such an individual at the law enforcement academy shall be paid as provided in section 80B.11B.

2. An individual who submits an application pursuant to subsection 1 shall, at a minimum, meet all minimum hiring standards as established by academy rules, including the successful completion of certain psychological and physical testing examinations. In addition, such individual shall be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation by the academy for a fee. For such purposes, the academy shall have the authority to conduct a background investigation of the individual, including a fingerprint search of local, state, and national fingerprint files.

3. An individual shall not be granted permission to attend an academy training program if such acceptance would result in the nonacceptance of another qualifying applicant who is a law enforcement officer.

4. An individual who has not been hired by a law enforcement agency must be hired by a law enforcement agency within eighteen months of completing the appropriate coursework at the law enforcement academy in order to obtain certification pursuant to this chapter.