Should the Commission authorize the Executive Director to enter into contract/s with qualified entity/ies for the presentation of the Instructor Development Institute Training Program (IDI) and Academy Instructor Certification courses for FY 2019-20 in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000?

In July 1989 the Commission approved an agenda item authorizing a pilot program for instructor development.  The vision was for a multi-level, multi-track program to develop professionalism in the delivery of law enforcement instruction. Between 1989 and 2007 the program was developed, piloted, presented and revamped to become the four-level Instructor Development Institute (IDI) training program currently presented.

In 2010, the Commission approved Commission Regulation 1009 which requires instructors in a Regular Basic Course (RBC) to comply with the requirements of the Academy Instructor Certification Program (AICP).  This program includes successful completion of the Academy Instructor Certification Course (AICC) and subsequent triennial re-certification.  The AICC mandated course is level one of the IDI program.

Due to a budget deficit, POST was unable to fund IDI and AICC contracts for the last fiscal year. With funding available, POST will establish contracts with regional presenters for the presentation of IDI courses in northern and southern California. 

To provide the IDI Program, POST contracts with qualified presenters.  The IDI programs allow students to meet POST Regulation requirements and enhance their course development and facilitation skills. In turn,  the creation of skilled instructors raises the quality of law enforcement training presentations delivered at the basic and in-service levels.

The contract includes program management, Advanced and Master IDI level course presentations, and IDI Intermediate Certification (the second level of the IDI Program).  This includes, a 24-hour Core Course, multiple one-day instructor development training courses, and facilitator development that is essential to keep the program at the leading edge of instructor training. 

This fiscal year, funds are requested to create a hybrid course utilizing a combination of online and classroom training to help reduce costs over the long term by reducing student travel.

To be consistent with the decentralization and regionalization of the IDI Program, staff will utilize two presenters, one in northern California and one in southern California to present IDI. This fiscal year will be utilized to develop a northern California presenter. When this is accomplished, the ongoing funding will be provided in a manner that meets the needs of the regions and minimizes student travel.

Staff recommends the Commission authorize the Executive Director to approve a contract with a qualified entity(ies) for the presentation of Instructor Development Institute Training Program courses for FY 2019-20, in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.