Regular Basic Course
The Regular Basic Course (academy) is the entry-level training requirement for many California peace officers, as specified in Commission Regulation 1005. 41 POST-certified basic training academies, not POST, present the academy in both the Standard and Modular Formats. Those interested in obtaining academy-specific information on entry requirements, costs, and course schedules should contact the academies directly.
Course Formats
The Standard Format of the Regular Basic Course is delivered in a one-part instructional sequence with a minimum requirement of 664 hours. There are two presentation styles: Intensive and Extended. The Intensive Format is a full-time academy that typically meets Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Extended Format is a part-time or weekend academy that meets evenings and weekends.
The Modular Format of the Regular Basic Course is delivered in a three-part instructional sequence that concurrently provides a reserve training program since the three modules coincide with the training requirements for the three levels of California reserve peace officers. The minimum requirement is 730 hours, allowing necessary redundancy of instruction in critical skill areas due to the three-part sequence that can be taken over an extended period of time.
Curriculum
The Regular Basic Course curriculum is divided into 42 individual topics, called Learning Domains. The Learning Domains contain the minimum required foundational information for given subjects, which are detailed in the Training and Testing Specifications for Peace Officer Basic Courses. The training and testing specifications for a particular domain may also include information on required instructional activities and testing requirements.
Student Workbooks
Student workbooks are important sources of text-based information for the Regular Basic Course. These workbooks introduce each topic and contain self-assessment questions, chapter objectives, workbook learning activities, terminology and definitions. The Regular Basic Course Student Workbooks may be ordered online.
Student Preparedness
The Regular Basic Course prepares each student by providing hands-on experience, including weapons training, role-play scenarios, patrol procedures, emergency vehicle operations, and arrest and control techniques. The student must pass comprehensive, exercise, scenario, report writing, and physical abilities tests, to demonstrate readiness for entry into a department's standardized Field Training / Police Training Program. Specific minimum training and testing requirements for the Regular Basic Course can be found in Commission Procedure D-1. Academies provide requirements in addition to POST's and prospective students should contact the academies directly with any questions related to academy-specific requirements.
Requalification Requirement
As specified in Commission Regulation 1008, requalification of Regular Basic Course (RBC) training is generally required when:
- An individual does not become employed in a position that requires the RBC within three years of successful course completion, or
- An individual completes the RBC, and subsequently has a three-year-or-longer break in service from a position that requires the RBC.
To requalify, an individual must successfully complete the 160-hour POST Requalification Course. Additional conditions on eligibility exist for those who have never been appointed to a peace officer position. Refer to Regulation 1008 for further details.
To submit suggestions or feedback for Basic Training, contact the Basic Training Bureau.