Advisory committee hears confusion over AB 89 education requirements and timeline for implementation

POST legislative liaison Megan Paulus briefed the advisory committee on AB 89 and sought committee input on how POST should approach implementing the statute’s education recommendations.

Paulus explained AB 89 (2021) directed California Community Colleges to develop a report on peace officer education recommendations and required POST to adopt those recommendations within two years of the report’s submission. The community college report was submitted in October 2023, which starts the clock for POST to consider adoption by fall 2025. Committee members repeatedly cited uncertainty about whether the statute intended a candidate to hold the new "modern policing degree" and/or a separate bachelor’s degree; the statutory language uses "and," which many field stakeholders interpret as an unintended barrier for recruitment if both are required.

Stakeholders at the meeting described the complexity of building a modern policing degree that is both an applied policing curriculum and meets transferability standards. Anthony Cordova (California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office) said the Academic Senate had completed a model curriculum that ranged from a minimum of 45 units up to 55 units depending on elective choices, with pathways being discussed for transfer to a baccalaureate. Several academy directors noted that many academy hours are technical or vocational and do not map cleanly to the humanities and general‑education units that AB 89’s recommended degree specifies. Tammy Morrell (CADAA) and others warned that imposing a rigid degree requirement without clear grandfathering or credit‑for‑prior‑learning paths could significantly reduce the candidate pool at a time when many agencies already report staffing shortages.

Committee feedback and questions included: (1) clarifying whether the modern policing degree is meant to be equivalent to an associate degree (many stakeholders expected a 60‑unit AA equivalency or a 45–55 unit modern policing curriculum plus additional coursework for a full AA), (2) whether academy credits and military/veteran coursework would be articulated into the degree, and (3) how POST would implement any adopted requirements given current Government Code §1031 still lists a high school diploma or GED as the minimum for appointment. Several members recommended that POST not adopt a final position until legislative language is clarified or corrected and urged the commission to seek a pathway that recognizes academy credit, credit‑for‑prior‑learning and veteran service education.

Paulus and POST staff said they will continue to engage with community colleges and legislative stakeholders and expect another legislative attempt in 2025 to clarify AB 89. The committee did not vote on a position but asked staff to keep the advisory committee informed as recommendations, crosswalks and legislative proposals develop.