The Distance Learning Grant Program was established to meet both the short term needs of the law enforcement profession in response to social distancing, as well as long term impacts of reduced state and local budgets. The intent is to provide opportunities for readily accessible high-quality training that is delivered more efficiently and effectively. The five program topic areas were determined to be as follows:

·       Use of Force and De-escalation

·       Implicit Bias and Racial Profiling

·       Community Policing

·       Cultural Diversity, to include crimes motivated by bias

·       Organizational Wellness

A Request for Proposal was issued for the grant program and POST received 30 applications for funding. Of those, 20 were approved to receive awards, covering the five program topic areas. Currently, grant documentation is being finalized while the mandatory appeals process proceeds. All grant awards are intended to be finalized by October 1, 2020, with the performance period beginning on October 15, 2020.

The POST Learning Management System Modernization is looking to ensure stability and augment the current Learning Portal. Currently, POST is finalizing the discovery portion of this project where functionality needs were identified, scope of work was completed, vendor demonstrations were conducted, and Stage 1 of the States’ Product Approval Lifecycle (PAL) process has been done. DGS and CDT have been engaged for the contracting purposes.

The Distance Learning Course Upgrades is identifying the legacy courses with software formats no longer supported as those needing to be upgraded. These courses will have the technology converted and the design and content updated. Vendor research and discussions are complete, and the Request for Proposal and the scope of work are being drafted. POST intends to initiate contracts by November 13, 2020.