As part of an ongoing review of the requirements for the Investigation and Trial Preparation Course content, POST staff and curriculum consultants review Learning Domain content to determine currency and job task relevancy. This process is facilitated by POST staff and attended by subject matter experts. Some of the more significant outcomes of these workshops are recommendations for updating and enhancing the content of the course.

Pursuant to Commission Regulation 1005(a)(2), every district attorney investigator or inspector (Penal Code section 830.1), regularly employed and paid as such, in addition to the Regular Basic Course training requirement set forth in Regulation 1005(a)(1), shall complete a POST-certified Investigation and Trial Preparation Course, and Procedure D-14, within 12 months from the date of appointment.

Pursuant to Penal Code 13510 (a), the Commission shall adopt, and may from time to time amend, rules establishing minimum standards for training of various classifications of peace officers, including regularly employed and paid inspectors and investigators of a district attorney’s office, as defined in Section 830.1, who conduct criminal investigations.

Commission Procedure D-14 describes the Minimum Standards for Training established in Regulation 1005(a) for the Investigation and Trial Preparation Course for district attorney investigators or inspectors.

Procedure D-14 was adopted and incorporated by reference into Commission Regulation 1005 on January 1, 2002, and amended January 1, 2006. It was last amended and January 1, 2009.

POST staff and subject matter experts reviewed the content of the Commission required Investigation and Trial Preparation Course, as enumerated in Regulation 1005(a)(2) and Procedure D-14, and recommended revisions that reflect emerging needs, scientific and technological advancements related to investigations, changes in law, other investigative tools, and adult learning concepts.

These recommended changes will ensure the training is contemporary, and should have no additional financial impact on presenters or law enforcement agencies.

The proposed changes affect all Learning Domains in the course, as follows:

·         LD-70 Role and Authority of the District Attorney Investigator

·         LD-71 Court Processes, Motions, Grand Jury

·         LD-73 Concepts of Evidence, Search and Seizure

·         LD-74 Investigative Techniques & Surveillance

·         LD-75 Victim, Witness and Informant Management

·         LD-76 Trial Preparation and Support

·         LD-78 Child Abduction Investigations

·         LD-79 Financial Crime and Public Fraud Investigations

·         LD-81 Crimes Committed by Public Officials/Officers

·         LD-82 Special Victim Investigations

·         LD-83 Gang Activity Investigations

·         LD-84 Officer Involved Incidents

·         LD-85 Environmental Crime and Consumer Fraud     Investigations

·         LD-86 Investigator Safety

·         LD-88 Professionalism and Ethics

·         LD-89 High Tech Crimes and Computers

·         LD-90 DNA Collection and Usage

·         LD-91 Juvenile Process

·         LD-92 Interview and Interrogation Update

·         The Course will remain at 80 hours in length.

The recommended changes described in the staff report are reflected in Attachment A.