MEETING DATE
2/28/2013 |
BUREAU SUBMITTING THIS REPORT
Training Delivery and Compliance Services Bureau |
RESEARCHED BY (PRINT NAME)
S. Scofield |
REVIEWED BY (PRINT NAME)
Alan Deal |
REPORT DATE
01/02/2013 |
APPROVED BY
Robert A. Stresak |
DATE APPROVED
02/10/13 |
PURPOSE
Information Only |
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No
|
| ISSUE: |
| This is an informational report on the Commission Reimbursement Plan review. |
| BACKGROUND: |
The Peace Officer Training Fund (POTF) was created in the State Treasury by enabling legislation, P.C. 13520, for the costs of administration and for grants to local governments. Financial aid to local governments and districts as described is structured as reimbursement for expenditures directly related to compliance with Commission standards and participation in training courses. California Penal Code 13523 authorizes the Commission to allocate aid to cities, counties and districts that have applied and qualify for aid pursuant to Commission Regulations. The Commission shall grant aid that is “equally proportionate among the cities, counties and districts.” The Commission established reimbursement as the means of providing aid to eligible local agencies.
Since the inception of reimbursement, each course has been certified with a specific POST reimbursement plan. The reimbursement program is structured in four different plans that provide reimbursement for a combination of costs (e.g. per diem, travel, tuition, and backfill) associated with training. The Commission establishes the rates of reimbursement for the various categories of expenses.
The reimbursement plans are:
Plan I: per diem, travel, tuition, and backfill
Plan II: per diem, travel, and backfill
Plan III: per diem, travel and tuition
Plan IV: per diem and travel
The per diem reimbursement includes an allocation for lodging, meals and incidentals. It is paid at a flat rate for all ranks and categories of personnel. Travel reimbursement is paid for the mode of travel to and from the training. |
| ANALYSIS: |
Training courses are certified to local law enforcement agencies, community colleges and private presenters. Presenters are encouraged to affiliate with a community college to off-set costs to minimize the impact to the Peace Officer Training Fund. The affiliation of POST certified training with a community college significantly extends the capability of local agencies and academies to deliver training, and brings additional staff and fiscal resources to training development and presentation. Private presenters may be considered for training courses that cannot be met by local law enforcement agencies or community colleges. In FY 2011/12 there were 755 statewide presenters of 5,765 POST certified training courses.
When a training course is submitted for POST certification, specific factors are evaluated to include an unmet training need, appropriateness of course content, methods of course instruction, number of students per course, adequacy of testing or evaluation and cost.
POST staff has extensive experience with the reimbursement program. Staff closely monitors expenditures and revenue, and has effectively managed the budget and reimbursement program through years of financial crisis and fluctuating revenues.
The POST Course Certification Guidelines incorporate Commission Regulation and general management philosophy for expenditures of reimbursement funds related to course certification (See Attachment A).
An internal working group has been established to review and update the Guidelines and Commission Procedure E 2-2. Once vetted internally, meetings with stakeholders will be scheduled to seek input prior to the submission of a recommendation for Commission approval.
It is the intent of staff to ensure the Commission reimbursement program is current and consistent with the requirements of Penal Code 13523 in that grant aid is “equally proportionate among the cities, counties and districts.” |
| RECOMMENDATION: |
| This report is presented for information only. No action is required. |
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