The
increase in the number of high-profile law enforcement encounters with persons with mental
illness has caused the Legislature to assess peace officer training as a means
to reduce or prevent these encounters. From
2011 to 2013, there has been a 33 percent increase in the number of law
enforcement personnel attending POST-certified courses that provide training in
the areas of mental illness, crisis intervention and persons with developmental
disabilities. A staff analysis projects
that this trend will continue.
The DOF
report indicated that a 5-year decline in revenues to the Peace Officer
Training Fund (POTF) was exhausting POST’s reserve account to the point that,
if left unchecked, would result in a deficit by the end of FY 2014-15. Due
to the declining revenue and greater than expected number of reimbursable
trainees in FY 2012-13, the deficit was projected to be $7.8 million. The components of the Budget Expenditure Reduction Plan included suspension of backfill reimbursement and
suspension of Plan IV reimbursements with the exception of contract and
mandated courses. The 24 POST-certified Plan IV training courses related to mental
illness were not included in the exempted list of courses.
The one
time allocation of $3.2 million from the State’s General fund to the POST FY
2014-2015 budget was approved by the Legislature to be allocated for local
assistance to cities, counties and districts.
However, the amount of the allocation did not enable the full reinstatement of
both backfill and Plan IV reimbursement.
At the June 26, 2014 meeting, the Commission reviewed two options
proposed by staff for the distribution of these funds: to reinstate either backfill
or Plan IV reimbursement for courses related to mental illness training. Staff conferred with the Administration through the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Legislature to ensure that the authorized use of the funds to reimburse training related to mental illness-related subjects was consistent with the Legislature intent. Following the consultation, the DOF advised POST that the use of the funds as proposed to the Commission by staff would satisfy the intent of the Legislature in allocating the funds.
The Commission approved using the
funds to reinstate reimbursement for all Plan IV courses relating to mental illness, crisis intervention, persons with disabilities and autism training.
On August 18, 2014 Bulletin 2014-16 was
published announcing the reinstatement of Plan IV reimbursement for these
courses. Refer to Attachment A for the Bulletin and the revised list of courses exempt from suspension of Plan IV reimbursement. |