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POST approves pilot to expand PC 832 firearms course hours; debate centers on costs and ongoing training
Summary
The commission approved a pilot to expand the PC 832 (peace‑officer) firearms and chemical agents course from 24 to 52 hours for a set of presenters, asking POST to collect student and instructor feedback; commissioners raised concerns about costs, perishable skills, and whether ongoing qualification should be required after initial certification.
The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training voted on Aug. 28 to approve a pilot program that increases the PC 832 firearms and chemical‑agents training pilot from the current minimum 24 hours to a proposed 52‑hour pilot curriculum for selected presenters.
POST staff said subject‑matter experts recommended the pilot after workshops earlier in 2025. Under the pilot, POST would remove shotgun and chemical‑agent hours for some students but replace the handheld handgun testing with two combat handgun tests — one in daylight and one in low light — and expand the overall training time for the trial courses. Staff proposed running the pilot through Sept. 2026 to allow adequate evaluation because the PC 832 courses are offered less frequently than the regular basic course.
The pilot presenters listed by POST include Santa Rosa Junior College, Tulare‑Kings Law Enforcement Advisory Board, El Camino College, Cerro Coso College, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Yuba College, and Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
Several commissioners and attendees pressed for more detail about likely costs, who will attend the course, and what the target population of students is. Jim Cooper, a sheriff’s executive who spoke during public comment, said his agency employs more than 100 security‑classification peace officers and asked how many total 8 32/PC 832 appointees the state has; he warned the pilot could significantly raise training costs for agencies and for students. Cooper and others also argued that firearm skills are perishable and require continuing training after initial certification; they questioned whether a larger initial course without a follow‑through maintenance requirement would produce lasting benefits.
POST staff said the proposal is a pilot so the agency can gather data from instructors and students; staff will administer surveys of instructors and students and collect information about the students’ employing agencies. The staff and commissioners noted several stakeholder concerns — including whether the pilot should instead require parity with regular basic course firearms standards — and said those issues will be evaluated during the pilot.
The commission approved the pilot motion (moved by Commissioner Brazil and seconded by Commissioner Gordon) and the roll call was recorded during the meeting. The chair announced “Motion carries 9.” POST staff said they will track participant data and instructor feedback for evaluation and report the pilot findings to the commission after the pilot period.
Why it matters: The PC 832 course authorizes a range of peace‑officer appointments and can be the only firearms training some categories receive. Raising the course hours and changing testing protocols could affect the number of hours many security‑classification officers must complete and the associated training costs.
What’s next: POST will run the pilot through Sept. 2026, gather instructor and student survey responses, and return with evaluation data prior to any permanent regulatory changes.
