One of POST’s core operational functions is to respond to requests for law enforcement individuals’ professional histories, as reported to POST by course presenters and agencies throughout California.  The official POST profile summarizes POST’s record of an individual’s awarded professional certificates, employment history, POST certified training, and non-certified training. 

In the past, POST has received requests for this information through US Mail, fax, and email.  POST staff then manually researched the request using a variety of systems and files.  Finally, staff printed and mailed back a profile to the requestor.  At times, there have been significant backlogs in POST’s ability to process these requests in a timely manner, due to the level of staff effort required.  

The recent addition of PASS (POST Authentication and Secure Services) to POST’s website allows for immediate on-demand delivery of sensitive documents and services.  PASS is a secure sign-in mechanism that consolidates and simplifies user’s access to POST’s Web-based services.   

On July 1, 2015, POST staff implemented an automated profile download application on the POST Website (www.post.ca.gov).  This application allows any individual who has employment or training history with a California law enforcement agency or presenter to immediately obtain his or her profile.  This function is also available to individuals retired from law enforcement.

Both the sign-in process and profile delivery are encrypted, and may be accessed only by the individual named in the profile. 

On June 29, 2015, POST Bulletin 2015-10 advertised the availability of the new profile download function.  During the seven-week period between its release on July 1, 2015 and August 20, 2015, this application has been used to download 2,442 POST profiles.  In comparison, staff manually processed and delivered approximately 3,500 profiles during all of 2014.  

Over the coming months, POST will continue to leverage the PASS system to deliver several new services in addition to POST profiles, including: requests for Professional Certificates, communication with specific groups of law enforcement by region or position, and simplified access to EDI functions.  These efforts are in accordance with POST Strategic Plan Goal B: “Increase Efficiency in POST Systems and Operations” and Goal C: “Increase Awareness and Access to POST Services and Products.”