In January of 2017, the Commission on POST initiated a review of the Course Certification Program with a field survey. The top six concerns from the survey (listed in order) were as follows:

1. Instructor resume technology is cumbersome and time consuming to use
2. Course certification takes too long
3. There is a lack of consistency between consultants
4. Course modification takes too long
5. Recourse is problematic when disagreements arise within the context of presenter and regional consultant relationships
6. A larger number of POST approved or developed course templates should be available for agencies to use

The survey results were discussed in a series of workshops and meetings comprised of stakeholders and POST employees. The workshops included presentations on the  history of California POST course certification and contemporary practices used by other state POSTs, including the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards (IADLEST).

The participants looked beyond topical considerations, and explored the POST infrastructure, support for POST employees involved in course certification, and the changing needs of presenters and agencies.  At the conclusion of the workshop series, the discussions were synthesized into considerations, if incorporated into course certification, that would have potential to improve the process.  

Many of the solutions offered overlap into several areas identified as needing improvement. Below is a list of considerations which merit exploration:

1. Technology should be programmed to make instructor resumes easy to create and move from course to course.
2. Course certification personnel should receive consistent training upon hiring, and subsequent regular update training.
3. The internal course certification manual should be updated.
4. The Training, Delivery, and Compliance Bureau Chief should be actively engaged in the course certification process and use metrics to identify and address anomalies.
5. Different labor models should be considered to accomplish the work of course certification.
6. POST should develop a "library" of course templates for legislative mandates and perishable skills.
7. Course certification for in-service personnel should split into two types.  Certification I accommodates quicker certification times with fewer requirements. Only certain courses will qualify.  Certification II courses require documentation that lends itself to establishing a higher level of training than the current certification  documents require. Legislative mandates, perishable skills, POST funded courses, and POST templates would be Certification II courses.
8. Certification of the basic courses should move to the Basic Training Bureau.

At the time of this report, the collaborative workshops have come to a conclusion. In the next few months, POST will prepare to undertake a pilot.

The California Commission on POST's Course Certification Program allows agencies and presenters to obtain continuing professional training credits for law enforcement personnel attending courses. The course certification process is defined and mandated by Regulation, and is primarily accomplished through POST personnel assigned to the Training, Delivery, and Compliance Bureau.

Some of the above-mentioned considerations are managerial and administrative in nature, and could be implemented at anytime. Other suggestions are affected by Regulation, and need to be thoughtfully tested prior to making any Regulation changes.

A voluntary course certification pilot project incorporating the suggestions would allow the exploration and vetting of solutions before committing to a course of  action.  Organizational change can be challenging, and unforeseen circumstances may give cause to try several alternatives before finding the right fit. The project would last approximately 6 months, with a final assessment for effectiveness driving the Regulation changes needed.  A request for Regulation changes would likely be submitted at the first Commission meeting of 2018.

The end result would be a service oriented and sustainable statewide Course Certification Program that supports POST's vision, the mission objective of Advancing Professionalism, and the POST Strategic Plan goal of increased efficiency in POST systems and operations.

Vision:

The vision of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) is to be the leading organization in establishing professional standards, assuring top-quality training, and providing effective services to develop and support the world's finest peace officers and law enforcement organizations.

Mission - Advancing Professionalism:

POST, with its partners, establishes and maintains the highest relevant statewide standards for selecting and training law enforcement personnel and ensures compliance with those standards. POST strives to ensure that all California law enforcement agencies have access to high-quality, cost-effective training for the development of the skills, knowledge, ethics, and attitudes necessary for achieving and maintaining professional excellence.

POST Strategic Plan:

This endeavor supports the POST Strategic Plan.

Goal: Increase Efficiency in POST Systems and Operations

B.2 Course certification and modification processes are streamlined and efficient

B.2.1 Improve the course certification and modification process

B.2.2.Assess the need for a resource to ensure consistency in course certification standards