Peace Officer Certification

Peace Officer Certification Requirements and Accountability Standards

This informational video highlights POST’s implementation of the new peace officer certification requirements in California, as outlined in Senate Bill 2 (2021). The video features the new requirements as enacted by law and gives an overview of POST’s newly created division, the Peace Officer Standards Accountability Division (POSAD).

Visit the POST SB 2 website for more information and additional resources.

Annual Report

SB 2 requires the Peace Officer Standards and Accountability Advisory Board to report annually on the activities of the division, board, and commission, relating to the certification program, including the number of applications for certification, the events reported, the number of investigations conducted, and the number of certificates surrendered or revoked.  The first reports published by the board will be in 2024.

Background Inquiries

As of January 1, 2023, POST is required to provide background investigators with information regarding reasons a California peace officer separated from employment. Additionally, should a potential employing agency inquire, POST is required to provide background investigators with information regarding allegations of serious misconduct against a current or former California peace officer, if available. POST does not retain records of all disciplinary matters adjudicated at the agency level. POST only maintains information regarding serious misconduct as defined by Commission Regulation 1205. Individuals appointing law enforcement officers should inquire with previous employing agencies about disciplinary records.

Prior to January 1, 2023, the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) was only authorized to cancel a certificate that was awarded in error or obtained through misrepresentation or fraud. The Commission was otherwise prohibited from canceling or revoking a certificate that had been properly issued. Additionally, POST did not maintain any disciplinary records for California peace officers.

For all inquiries related to peace officer certification status, employment verification, POST Profiles, reasons for separation from employment, or documentation regarding allegations of serious misconduct, please submit a Background Investigation Request. 

For questions or additional information regarding this process, please contact the Certification Bureau.

Certificates

The POST Professional Certificate Program fosters education, training, and professionalism in law enforcement; raises the level of competence of law enforcement officers; and fosters cooperation between the Commission, its clients, and individuals. The Commission, through the POST Professional Certificates Unit, awards the Proof of Eligibility and Basic Certificate to all peace officers required to be certified pursuant to Penal Code Section 13510.1. The POST Professional Certificates Unit is also responsible for the issuance of professional certificates comprised of the Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, Management, Executive, Reserve Officer, Public Safety Dispatcher, and Records Supervisor certificates.

All regulatory requirements for certificates issued to public safety dispatchers and records supervisors are specified in Commission Regulation 1011.

All regulatory requirements for peace officer certificates are specified in Commission Regulation 1202.

Required Certificates

  • Proof of Eligibility –All peace officers who do not currently possess or are not eligible for a Basic Certificate are required to obtain a Proof of Eligibility (POE) within 10 days of appointment.  The Proof of eligibility is required for specified peace officers employed by both POST-participating and non-POST-participating agencies.
  • Basic Certificate – Any full-time peace officer employed by a POST-participating agency who successfully completes the appropriate basic course requirement for their classification and successfully completes their agency’s probationary period of not less than 12 months is eligible for the Basic Certificate.

For additional information regarding required certificates, please visit the POST Professional Certificates webage.

Decertification List

The commission shall publish the names of any peace officer whose certification is suspended or revoked and the basis for the suspension or revocation.

Peace Officer Standards Accountability Advisory Board

SB 2 creates the Peace Officer Standards Accountability Advisory Board with 9 members to be appointed as specified. The bill requires the board to hold public meetings to review the findings after an investigation made by the division and to make a recommendation to the commission. The bill requires the commission to review the recommendation made by the board based on whether there is evidence that reasonably supports the board’s conclusion that misconduct has been established and, if action is to be taken against an officer's certification, return the determination to the division to commence formal proceedings consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act.

Training

POST has recorded a series of training courses focused on providing participants with the necessary and relevant information to comply with the legislative requirements pursuant to SB 2.