POST meeting: commission approves regulatory updates, pilots and reimbursement increases; staff to study background-file transferability

The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training on Nov. 1 approved a package of technical and policy updates, directed staff to study the transferability of peace-officer background-investigation files, and endorsed pilot training changes for a lifetime-fitness learning domain, the commission said.

Commissioners front-loaded administrative business and consent items, then spent most of the day on three sustained topics: whether agencies may reuse prior background investigations when hiring, how to regulate instructor conduct and complaints, and whether to expand the commission’s definition of dishonesty under SB 2. Staff presented a large data update on certification actions and a proposal to raise maximum presenter reimbursement rates for post-approved training.

Why it matters: The votes set how post reimburses outside presenters, how basic training will pilot new fitness instruction, and how post will follow up on complaints about training and instructor conduct. Commissioners also asked staff to draft more detailed proposals for the commission to consider in March 2025.

Key outcomes and next steps - Staff was asked to study the transferability of background investigations and return with a proposal (target: March 2025). Commissioner Braun made the motion; commissioners asked staff to consult policing associations and advisory committee members. - The commission approved technical amendments to multiple regulations and forms (1003, 1005, 1202, 1203) to clarify authority and update the affidavit-of-separation form. - The commission approved a pilot rollout of a revised Lifetime Fitness learning domain (LD 32) for modular basic courses but removed a proposed body-composition measurement requirement from Modules 2 and 3 after debate; staff will return with refinements (motion carried). - Commissioners approved proposed increases to the maximum reimbursement rates for course presenters and on-site coordinators (staff estimates the change will cost roughly $2.78 million a year to POST’s budget and up to $20.9 million per year systemwide) and instructed staff to pursue the rulemaking and Department of Finance review. - The commission approved 13 automatic decertifications based on disqualifying felony convictions as listed in today’s materials; staff said future similar disqualifications will be handled under delegated executive‑director authority after the rulemaking.

What commissioners said Executive Director Manny Alvarez told the commission that “we still do not know what the numbers are gonna look like” for the state budget, and that post is working with the Department of Finance while continuing to move forward on contracts, policies and implementation work.

Quality and enforcement reports Staff reported ongoing work to publish statements of findings for decertified officers and to expand guidance required by recent legislation. The training quality assessment (QAP) contractor reported 74 course evaluations this year, 148 instructor evaluations, 12 instructor assessments rated unsatisfactory and two course decertifications to date. QAP staff said they lack regulatory authority to remove individual instructors and rely on presenters to act when QAP finds deficiencies.

Next steps Staff will return with proposals and draft language where the commission requested further work — especially on background-file transferability, instructor-conduct rules, dishonesty definitions and the final wording of regulation changes. Several items will move into the Department of Finance and Office of Administrative Law processes before becoming effective.