(a) In addition to complying with the pre-employment standards as set forth in section 1206 of this chapter every candidate shall satisfactorily complete at least a basic course of at least 10 hours of instruction, hereinafter, referred to as “basic” course, within 12 months of the date of his appointment as a peace officer; however, an extension of the 12 months time limit may be granted by the Council upon the presentation of evidence by a department head that a candidate was unable to complete the basis course due to illness, injury, military service, or other reasons deemed sufficient by the Council. Any such extension shall not exceed three months in duration. The Council shall have the authority to recognize instruction received by a candidate if, in the determination of the Council, such instruction is at least equivalent to that required by this chapter. If such instruction is recognized then it shall be in lieu of part or parts of the minimum hours of instruction required for the certification by this chapter. Should any candidate fail to successfully complete the basic training requirements within the time specified in this section, he shall not perform any of the duties of a peace officer involving the power of arrest until such training shall have been successfully completed.
(b) The basic course shall be completed at the Virgin Islands Police Academy or any other school approved by the Council which provides the courses as established by the Council, and shall include a basic Red Cross First Aid course consisting of ten hours.
(c) The provisions of this chapter establish only the minimum qualification standards and training requirements for peace officers in the Virgin Islands; each law enforcement unit is encouraged to prescribe such additional requirements as it deems necessary and appropriate.
(d) Each law enforcement unit shall prepare duplicate records on any candidate or peace officer employed under the provisions of this chapter as may be prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Council. One copy of the record shall be maintained in the headquarters of the law enforcement unit; the second copy shall be forwarded to the Council and shall be maintained at the Police Department. The contents of these records, except for court proceedings, shall be considered as confidential.