In Oklahoma, the acronym CLEET stands for the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training. This state agency is a governing body responsible for ensuring professional standards for law enforcement and certain private security professionals across the state. Its purpose extends from establishing training protocols to certifying individuals in these fields.
CLEET’s Primary Mission and Objectives
The fundamental mission of CLEET is to enhance public safety by ensuring that peace officers and private security personnel are properly trained and regulated. The agency’s objectives are centered on providing peace officers with professional and ethical skills, while protecting the public through stringent education and licensing requirements for the private security industry.
Who CLEET Regulates in Oklahoma
CLEET’s regulatory authority extends over a specific range of public and private safety professionals. A primary group includes full-time and reserve peace officers, which encompasses city police officers, county sheriffs and their deputies, and state troopers. This authority also covers tribal police officers who are cross-deputized with state or local agencies, making them subject to CLEET certification standards to enforce state laws.
The agency’s oversight also includes several roles within the private security industry. This includes both armed and unarmed security guards who are employed to protect property and individuals. Private investigators, whether armed or unarmed, fall under CLEET’s jurisdiction, requiring them to meet specific licensing and training mandates to operate legally in Oklahoma. Bail enforcers, also known as bounty hunters, are another key group regulated by the council, with separate armed and unarmed licensing categories.
Core Activities and Duties of CLEET
A central duty is the development and administration of basic certification academies for new peace officers. The agency also mandates and tracks continuing education for certified officers, requiring full-time officers to complete 25 hours annually, including two hours focused on mental health issues. Reserve peace officers must complete eight hours of annual training, which includes one hour on mental health topics.
Beyond training, CLEET is the state’s licensing and certifying body for the professions it regulates. This involves issuing, renewing, and maintaining records for all certifications and licenses. The agency has the authority to investigate allegations of misconduct or violations of its standards, which can lead to disciplinary actions, including the suspension or revocation of a certification or license. This enforcement power ensures that all regulated professionals adhere to the established legal and ethical codes.
Oklahoma’s Legal Framework for CLEET
CLEET’s authority and responsibilities are not self-created; they are established and defined by Oklahoma state law. The primary source of its power is found in Title 70, Section 3311 of the Oklahoma Statutes.1Justia US Law. Oklahoma Statutes §70-3311 – Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training The statute empowers CLEET to set the minimum standards for employment and training for all peace officers and private security personnel it oversees.
This legal framework grants CLEET the authority to conduct certification academies, issue licenses, and enforce its regulations. For instance, the law specifies the minimum number of training hours required for basic certification and annual continuing education. It also provides the legal backing for CLEET to investigate and discipline licensees who fail to meet these standards, ensuring the agency’s rules have the force of law.