During the June 21, 2018 Commission Meeting Advisory Committee Vice Chair Artin Baron requested the Commission consider increased training for California Coroners.

This report is presented for information only. No action is required.

The question of increasing minimum training for coroners and deputy coroners was explored in 2017 by POST Law Enforcement Consultants (LECs) and coroner stakeholders, including the California State Coroners Association (CSCA). It was decided that dramatically increasing minimum training for coroners at that time could negatively impact small coroner’s offices and no changes were recommended, although there remained an interest to increase the training.

POST LECs contacted the CSCA President, Bruce Lyle, who produced a letter (dated September 10, 2018) with the current CSCA position (see attached). CSCA is interested in additional investigative training for coroner personnel consistent with the ICI Core course for investigators. It is uncertain at this time how the addition of the curriculum (or what specific topical areas would be needed) could be integrated into the Coroner’s Death Investigation Course at this time, or if agencies availing themselves to the existing ICI Core course would best meet their needs.

POST will continue to work with coroner stakeholders to identify how best to meet their needs with existing training or developing changes to the curriculum, requisite hourly requirements, or regulation.