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Colorado strengthens hiring standards for cops

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The state board that oversees police certifications has implemented new rules that raise the hiring standards for officers.

The Peace Officers Standards and Training board adopted a new rule Monday that calls for law enforcement agencies to conduct more thorough background investigations before hiring applicants. The board is also requiring more frequent psychological and physical evaluations of applicants.

The Denver Post reports that the changes come in the wake of a growing debate over the strength of laws that regulate the hiring of law enforcement.

The board is also looking to rule out officers who have convictions dismissed through deferred judgments from the application process.

Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman argued that deferred judgment cases shouldn't be treated as convictions once a judge has dismissed the guilty plea.