MEETING DATE
2/28/2013 |
BUREAU SUBMITTING THIS REPORT
Training Program Services Bureau |
RESEARCHED BY (PRINT NAME)
Robert "R.C." Smith |
REVIEWED BY (PRINT NAME)
Anne Brewer |
REPORT DATE
01/08/2013 |
APPROVED BY
Robert A. Stresak |
DATE APPROVED
02/05/13 |
PURPOSE
Information Only |
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No
|
| ISSUE: |
| This is an information report on progress regarding Cal EPA Grant Funding of Environmental Crimes Training. |
| BACKGROUND: |
Cal EPA is required under Penal Code section 14314(a) to transfer funds to POST for the purpose of advancing environmental enforcement training for local and state peace officers. The amount of the grant received varies, depending on the balance contained in the Environmental Enforcement and Training account. POST receives 25% of the funds in this account for a maximum of $100,000 annually. With the Commission’s support, language in the statute was modified to make the transfer of those funds discretionary effective January 1, 2012. Previously, POST has utilized these funds to develop the following: “Responding to Environmental Crimes,” an eight hour course designed for law enforcement first responders; “Environmental Crimes Investigations Overview,” a self-paced Learning Portal course providing two hours of Continuing Professional Training credit; and “Enforcement of Environmental Laws,” a 95 minute Telecourse.
At its October 2011 meeting, the Commission authorized the Executive Director to enter into a contract with the San Diego Regional Training Center in an amount not to exceed $147,500 to present a symposium on environmental crimes training and to continue to present the “Responding to Environmental Crimes” course. |
| ANALYSIS: |
The Environmental Crimes Symposium, presented in cooperation with Cal EPA, was held in Sacramento on November 6-8, 2012. The theme of the symposium was “Collaboration, Partnership and Integration in Environmental Crimes Enforcement.”
This symposium brought together leadership from law enforcement and environmental regulatory agencies to discuss proven tools and innovative strategies in the detection, investigation, enforcement and successful prosecution of environmental crimes. Input received from symposium evaluations as well as informal feedback indicated that the presentations and content was extremely well-received. Nonetheless, staff was disappointed with low attendance by law enforcement. Despite the symposium being marketed through every major law enforcement organization, the majority of attendees were from regulatory agencies.
The cost of the Environmental Crimes Symposium was well under budget. Once the final invoices are paid, staff estimates it will have approximately $97,000 left in unexpended Cal EPA grant funds. POST cannot return the funds nor can these funds be used for purposes other than environmental training. Staff, in consultation with Cal EPA, has concluded there are no pending training needs beyond those that will be addressed by continued offerings of the “Responding to Environmental Crimes” course and Learning Portal resources. In light of the balance of grant funds that remain available, staff has declined to accept the disbursement for 2013.
Staff is working to schedule the “Responding to Environmental Crimes” course for 2013. The intent is to offer two classes for the year, one in northern California and one in southern California. |
| RECOMMENDATION: |
| This report is for information and no action is required. |
| ATTACHMENT(S): |
| Name: |
Type: |
| No Attachments Available |
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