The California Law for Enforcement Certification
California requires law enforcement officers to obtain a professional certification. Peace officers, with the exception of a sheriff, an elected marshal or a deputy sheriff, must obtain a basic certification from the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
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Time Frame
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According to California law, a peace officer must obtain a certification within 18 months of employment if employed after Jan. 1, 1974, or within 24 months of employment if employed after Jan. 1, 1988. A person employed as a police chief after Jan. 1, 1999, must obtain a basic certification within two years of the appointment.
Exceptions
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The basic certification requirement does not apply to certain peace officers. A peace officer is exempt if the peace officer was employed prior to the department's participation in the POST program and the peace officer is not required by law to obtain a basic certificate; the officer is a custodial peace officer; or the peace officer received his appointment prior to Jan. 1, 1974, and has not changed departments since the applicable date.
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Certification
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To qualify for the basic certificate, the applicant must fulfill the requirements which include full-time employment as a peace officer with a POST-participating department, satisfaction of the basic course training requirement and the submission of a completed certification application form that includes evidence of education and experience. The applicant must be employed for a probationary period of no less than 12 months and must complete an entry-level basic training course applicable to the applicant's current position.
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