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POST reports rising complaint numbers, thousands of open cases and demographic statistics at May meeting
Summary
POST staff told commissioners that public complaints have tripled since tracking began and that some 21,802 cases are open with POST. Staff presented 2024 totals and early 2025 figures, explained an increase in voluntary surrenders and temporary suspension removals, and described ongoing data‑quality work on education and demographic fields.
POST staff presented a multi‑page certification and professional‑conduct update at the May 20, 2025, Commission meeting, showing notable changes in case activity and staff workload.
Certification bureau chief Michelle Weiler told commissioners the office published a list of 14 individuals currently ineligible for certification because of felony or disqualifying misdemeanor convictions (government code section 1029 as cited in meeting materials). She reviewed 2024 annual statistics and the partial 2025 snapshot (through Feb. 10, 2025). Weiler said POST counted 67 temporary suspensions in 2024 and removed 37 of those suspensions after new information or jurisdictional changes. She reported 61 voluntary surrenders in 2024 (and two additional surrenders that lacked proof of prior certification).
Weiler also said the certification bureau processed 692 background‑inquiry requests for lateral appointments in the period shown; appointments include both lateral hires and brand‑new officers. She described ongoing efforts to clean up education data, noting that multiple certificate applications over a career can create duplicated degree counts and make correlations between education and misconduct difficult to analyze reliably.
Professional Conduct Bureau chief Robert Guyton (northern bureau) reported that public complaints have risen to 1,712 and that the division currently has 21,802 open cases; the majority are classified as Priority 3 (allegations that the receiving agency found not sustained, unfounded or exonerated). Guyton said POST has begun an abbreviated review process for many Priority 3 matters to confirm agency findings and free analyst time for higher‑priority work. He reported POST has closed 10,665 cases to date.
Guyton and other staff described other operational matters: about 41 notices of intent were sent (and 15 of those appeals so far), and several matters have progressed to accusation and ALJ hearing scheduling. Staff also noted that roughly 46–47 agencies reported zero serious‑misconduct incidents in POST’s filings and that POST is following up with agencies that should be reporting under SB 2.
Why this matters: Those operational data show a growing workload for POST staff and signal areas commissioners have raised for follow‑up — including data quality on education, the increase in voluntary surrenders tied to DA plea agreements, and outreach to agencies that do not report incidents.
Next steps: Staff said they will continue cleaning and improving education and demographic data and provide further reporting at future meetings. Commissioner questions prompted staff to commit to additional public reporting about agency reporting levels and to clarify definitions and processes used in the bulletin slides.
