What must personnel do if they fail to attend required refresher courses?

Personnel are required to communicate any absences from mandatory refresher courses to maintain accountability and ensure that the reasons for their absence are documented. Providing a letter to the District Officer serves several important purposes: it keeps the chain of command informed, allows for proper record-keeping, and helps management understand potential barriers to training attendance. By doing so, personnel can demonstrate responsibility for their training requirements and contribute to the overall commitment to professional development within the department.

In contrast, while taking the course on their own time might seem like a proactive approach, it does not address the formal notification process required by the department. Requesting a makeup session is not necessarily an option for all required courses, as there may be specific protocols for absences. Lastly, automatic failure from the course does not align with the policies guiding professional development, which typically focus on remediation and ensuring personnel can complete necessary training rather than outright penalties for absence. Hence, informing the District Officer is the appropriate action.