Regarding classes offered by Police Departments or EMS / Fire Departments

[TGO David]

Folks, there has been minor confusion about this recently and I want make a public statement about our policy regarding training classes offered by Police Departments or EMS / Fire Departments:

So long as the tuition fees are going directly to the public agency conducting the class and not to an individual instructor, there is no need for the public agency to be a Vendor on TGO in order to announce their class. However, if an individual or commercial entity is using the public agency's facilities to conduct a class and that individual or commercial entity is the recipient of the tuition fees, then that person or entity must be a TGO Vendor in order to advertise their class.

Some examples of things that would be permissible under our policy:

• First aid class conducted by a Fire Department or EMS agency
  
• Handgun Permit class conducted by a Police Department
  
• Self Defense class conducted by a Police Department
  

An example of a class that would not fall under this policy:

• High Risk Civilian Contractor class conducted by Blackwater, presented by the East Dirtfloor TN Police Department
  

Obviously there may be times when the lines are blurred between a class being conducted by vs. being presented by a public agency. In those cases, an on the field ruling may be required and the decision of the TGO staff will be final.

Thanks.

[TGO David]

I would like to amend this by also stating that as far as I am concerned, this also applies to non-profit 503{c}{3} organizations such as Project Appleseed. A legitimate non-profit 503{c}{3} organization may post announcements about any of their classes or courses without being a Vendor.

Thanks.