The General Assembly finds and determines that:
(1) The administration of criminal justice is of statewide concern and that law enforcement is important to the health, safety, and welfare of the people of this state;
(2) The state has a responsibility to ensure effective law enforcement by establishing minimum selection, training, and educational requirements for law enforcement officers and also to encourage advanced in-service training programs; and
(3) It is in the public interest that minimum levels of education and training be developed and made available to persons seeking to become law enforcement officers and to persons presently serving as law enforcement officers.