Peace Officer Certification

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.

POST Professional 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. 

• Additional information on POST Professional Peace Officer Certificates.

Decertification 

The Peace Officer Standards Accountability Division’s role is to review investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies and to conduct additional investigations into serious misconduct that may provide grounds for suspension or revocation of a peace officer’s certification. The division reviews grounds for decertification and makes findings as to whether grounds for action against an officer’s certification exist. The division reports its findings to Peace Officer Standards Accountability Advisory Board who hold public meetings to review the findings makes a recommendation to the commission. The POST commission then reviews those recommendations 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. 

• Additional information on Decertification.