A former Durango Police Department officer who was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence had his certification revoked Friday, essentially ensuring he will no longer be able to work as a peace officer in the state of Colorado.

The Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) board announced it revoked the certifications of several peace officers across the state for misconduct, such as being untruthful in investigations or being convicted of certain crimes.

It was the first time the board decertified officers since the General Assembly enacted a new state law, Senate Bill 19-166, in 2019, according to a statement issued Friday by Attorney General Phil Weiser.

According to the statement, an officer’s certification may be suspended or revoked if a law enforcement agency has found the officer knowingly made an untruthful statement while under oath or during an internal affairs investigation.

Officer certifications can also be revoked for conviction of a felony or certain misdemeanors. Lawrence Pacheco, spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office, said officers who lose their certification for conviction of a misdemeanor will be decertified but may request a variance to allow certification under a process established in POST rules.

Law enforcement agencies are required by law to report officers convicted of certain crimes to the POST board. The officers are then given a chance to contest the matter, but no one did in Friday’s hearing.

“Public trust is achieved when law enforcement officers act with honesty and accountability,” Weiser said in the statement. “While the vast majority of peace officers honor this trust each and every day they put on their badge, unfortunately, there are some officers that do not belong in this profession.”

Former Durango Police Department officer Justin Moore was arrested Dec. 3, 2019, on suspicion of domestic violence after allegedly assaulting his wife.

Moore, 31 at the time, resigned from the department shortly after the incident. In July, he signed a diversion agreement that calls for domestic violence treatment and an order to not contact the victim, as well as a number of other stipulations.

If he completes the terms of his diversion agreement, the criminal charges will be permanently dismissed.

jromeo@durangoherald.com