PCSAR Guiding Documents

PCSAR may conduct new member recruitment as determined necessary by the Executive Board to maintain a fully qualified roster. The timing and method for receiving applications will be publicized and distributed in the recruitment notice.

To optimize resources and provide consistent onboarding and training, PCSAR recruits applicants as a class or group. Individual applications will not be accepted outside an open recruitment window.

Exception – Special Resource Recruitment The Executive Board may identify and recruit an individual applicant or applicants with unique skills or qualifications that meet specific operational needs not met by existing team members. In such cases, the Board may bypass the standard recruitment windows to initiate direct onboarding in coordination with the Training Officer and Assistant Team Leader–Admin in accordance with Standing Order #14, Special Resources.

A designated recruitment meeting shall be conducted for all interested candidates. This session will provide a general orientation on PCSAR’s mission, history, organizational structure, and current operational roles.

The meeting will also outline expectations for candidates, including required training, attendance standards, and qualifications for initial acceptance to the team, as well as the criteria for maintaining active member status.

Training expectations will include a review of the contents of Basic Training SOP #15, with opportunity for questions and clarification.

The Executive Board shall conduct interviews with each applicant to assess their qualifications, readiness, and overall suitability for membership.

Applicants recommended for acceptance will be submitted to the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) for a formal background check.

Following completion of the interview and background check process, the Executive Board shall notify all applicants of their acceptance or rejection. Notifications will be issued within 30 days or as soon as reasonably possible.

Upon acceptance, the individual will be designated as a Trainee and must fulfill all training and onboarding requirements outlined in team protocols and Standing Order #15 – Basic Training Program. Prior to participating in any hands-on training activities, the Trainee shall be formally added to the PCSAR workers’ compensation insurance policy. Trainee status remains in effect until the individual completes the full training framework required for operational team membership.

The Training Officer shall notify Trainees of the upcoming schedule of opportunities that fulfill the basic training requirements. Training sessions meeting these requirements will be offered annually. It is the Trainee’s responsibility to attend scheduled sessions to the best of their ability. Backup sessions may be provided if time and resources allow, but are not guaranteed. Trainees who miss a scheduled session may need to wait until the following year's offering. All Trainees have one year to complete the basic training requirements in accordance with Standing Order #15 – Basic Training Program. If unable to complete training within the designated time period, the trainee can re-apply in the next recruitment period.

PCSAR shall provide all necessary safety equipment required for hands-on training, which remains property of PCSAR. Trainees will also receive access to team-related software via their personal cell phones. Additional gear may be issued based on need and availability, subject to Executive Board approval.

Once a Trainee has completed all basic training requirements as outlined in Standing Order #15 – Basic Training Program, the Training Officer shall recommend that the individual be designated as a probationary trainee.

This probationary status shall last for up to three (3) months, during which time the Trainee must independently and satisfactorily complete the most current version of all required check sheets.

Upon satisfactory completion of the check sheets within the allotted timeframe—and with a favorable recommendation from the Training Officer—the Trainee becomes eligible for full team membership.

This recommendation shall be presented to the team membership at a regularly scheduled business meeting for discussion and approval via vote. During this process, the Trainee will be excused from the meeting room.

Trainees have a total of one year to complete all required training, and up to an additional three (3) months to complete all required check sheets.

If a Trainee has not satisfactorily completed these requirements within the specified time period the Executive Board shall consult with the Training Officer to confirm that all components of the basic training program were reasonably offered and accessible.

Following this consultation, the Executive Board shall either:

A Trainee may also be removed from the roster if they fail to attend training sessions or meetings for two consecutive months at any time during their trainee status.

At any time, the Executive Board deems a trainee not a proper fit for the PCSAR organization, a majority vote of the Executive Board can be made to remove a trainee from the roster.

Trainees are encouraged to attend team meetings and public service events; however, they do not hold voting rights.

Trainees may attend all scheduled training sessions but are limited to observation in sessions not classified as basic training—unless the instructor grants permission for active participation. This limitation is in place to ensure the safety of all team members.

After successfully completing specific components of the basic training program, a Trainee may participate in incident responses relevant to their completed training. Such participation must remain within the scope of their verified skills and occur under the supervision of a Full Team Member.

Trainees are permitted to operate PCSAR vehicles under normal driving conditions. However, they are strictly prohibited from driving “hot” to emergency calls. Final decisions regarding vehicle operation rest with the team member in charge of the incident.

Once a Trainee has received team approval—the individual shall be granted Voting Membership status. Voting Members receive all rights and responsibilities as defined in PCSAR governing documents.

Trainees approved for Voting Membership shall be issued official PCSAR identification cards by the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and may be issued additional team equipment as available.

A former PCSAR member returning after a leave of absence lasting more than one year but less than three years shall be reinstated at the same level as a  Probationary Trainee Member. This status remains in effect until the member successfully completes the most current version of team check sheets. The returning member shall have up to three months to complete this requirement.

Upon satisfactory completion of the required check sheets, the Training Officer shall issue a recommendation to the Executive Board for review and approval. If approved, the returning member shall be reinstated as a Voting Member, with all associated rights and responsibilities.

If a former member’s leave of absence exceeds three years, they must rejoin PCSAR as a Trainee and complete the full basic training program in effect at the time of re-entry.