The Quality Assessment Program (QAP)

The mission of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) is to continually enhance the professionalism of California law enforcement in serving its communities. One way that we do this is through our Quality Assessment Program (QAP).

POST QAP Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the POST Quality Assessment Program?
    The POST Quality Assessment Program (QAP) was designed and implemented several years ago as a method for POST to assess the quality of training delivered by both agency and private training providers.  The QAP evaluates the design and delivery of POST certified training and provides recommendations for both POST and training providers in improving training quality.
  2. What is the assessment process?
    Once a course is selected, the POST QAP Coordinator will contact the course coordinator to set up an assessment on the next course presentation. An email to the course coordinator will introduce the QAP Evaluator to the coordinator and inform the coordinator that the evaluator will be in the classroom monitoring the class. The evaluator will meet with the training coordinator prior to the start of the class and then after the course for a brief review. The assessor will write the assessment and send it to CA POST.  POST will then send the assessment to the course coordinator informing them of the results.  If there are any negative assessments, a letter asking for a correction will be sent to the coordinator along with a deadline to respond.  
  3. How are entities or agencies selected for a QAP assessment?
    There are a variety of reasons.  Below are just a few of the most common reasons courses are selected for assessment.  
    • New training providers or courses
    • The training provider is requesting a change in the POST Plan for reimbursement.
    • The course is funded through POST.
    • The course involves a high liability topic (Use of Force, DETAC, Firearms, etc.)
    • POST has received a complaint or another concern with a training program.
    This list is not all inclusive.  However, these are just a few of the reasons why a provider may receive a request for an assessment.
  4. Why does my new course need to be assessed?
    Before a budget plan can be assigned to a new course, the course will need a QAP.  This is because POST will be providing financial assistance to the presenter and the course must meet standards.
  5. How are evaluators assigned to conduct an assessment?
    Many times, it comes down to availability for the evaluator.  With courses involving high liability/perishable skills the QAP coordinator tries to assign an evaluator who has some experience in the curriculum.
  6. What qualifications do the evaluators have?
    The majority of evaluators have completed the POST Instructor Development Institute Level 3 Advanced Instructor or Level 4 Master Instructor certification.  In some instances, POST will accept evaluators who have not yet completed level 3 or 4 but have specific subject matter expertise in one or more high liability areas (EVOC, Firearms, DETAC, as an example).
  7. What are the criteria used when assessing a course?
    Assessors review the course documents found in the POST Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) to ensure they are current and follow regulation.  The assessors then focus on the following Instruction and Facilitation categories: 
    • Facilitation Skills
    • Subject Matter Expertise
    • Time Management
    • Professionalism
    • Learning Resource Management
    • Classroom management
    • Real World Application
    • Instructional Methods
    • Learner Validation
    Download the Training Evaluation - Course & Instructor Assessment (2-341) (pdf)