In response to inquiries regarding the training and appointment of peace officers in California throughout the years, staff has reviewed the difference in training and testing requirements between the Regular Basic Course (RBC) and the Specialized Investigators’ Basic Course (SIBC). Although there is some commonality between the two courses, the primary focus of each course is different (Attachment B).
To highlight some of the differences between the two courses, there are four Learning Domains required in the SIBC that are not part of the RBC. Learning Domains (LD) required in the SIBC that are not included in the RBC (a total of 80 hours), as follows:
| LD 60 - Surveillance |
16 hours |
| LD 61 - Administrative Procedures |
16 hours |
| LD 62 - Case Management and Sources of Information |
32 hours |
| LD 63 - Computers and Computer Crimes |
16 hours |
These Learning Domains are focused on the role of the Specialized Investigator.
There are eleven Learning Domains which are either entirely omitted or require more hours in the RBC versus the SIBC. The total number of missing training hours in the SIBC in comparison to the RBC are as follows (a total of 147 hours):
| LD 13 – ABC Law |
2 hours |
| LD 19 – Vehicle Operations* |
28 hours |
| LD 21 – Patrol Techniques |
12 hours |
| LD 22 – Vehicle Pullovers |
14 hours |
| LD 24 – Handling Disputes/Crowd Control* |
8 hours |
| LD 27 – Missing Persons* |
4 hours |
| LD 28 - Traffic |
16 hours |
| LD 29 – Traffic Collisions* |
12 hours |
| LD 31 – Custody |
2 hours |
| LD 32 – Lifetime Fitness |
40 hours |
| LD 37 – People with Disabilities* |
9 hours |
Most of these Learning Domains focus on the duties of a general law enforcement officer that include patrol techniques, traffic enforcement, and crowd management. Although the SIBC includes a significant amount of the RBC content, there are multiple legislative mandates (NOTE: See asterisk (*)), required learning activities, and required exercise and scenario tests (Attachment B) that are not in the SIBC.
The total number of required learning activities, exercise and scenario tests missing from the SIBC in comparison to the RBC are as follows (Attachment B):
| LD 7 – Crimes Against Persons/Death Investigations....1 Scenario Test |
| LD 10 – Sex Crimes*....1 Learning Activity |
| LD 19 – Vehicle Operations*....3 Learning Activities, 4 Exercise Tests |
| LD 21 – Patrol Techniques....2 Learning Activities, 1 Scenario Test |
| LD 22 – Vehicle Pullovers....4 Learning Activities, 1 Scenario Test |
| LD 23 – Crimes in Progress....4 Scenario Tests |
| LD 25 – Domestic Violence*....3 Learning Activities, 1 Scenario Test |
| LD 28 – Traffic Enforcement....6 Learning Activities |
| LD 29 – Traffic Collision Investigations*....2 Learning Activities |
| LD 31 – Custody....1 Learning Activity |
| LD 32 – Lifetime Fitness....6 Learning Activities, 1 Required Test |
| LD 33 – Arrest and Control....1 Learning Activity, 4 Exercise Tests |
| LD 37 – People with Disabilities*....2 Learning Activities, 1 Scenario Test |
| LD 38 – Gang Awareness*....1 Learning Activity |
Requests for POST to develop a bridge course for SIBC graduates who desire to qualify for general law enforcement peace officer positions, has been brought before the February 2012 Commission (Attachment C). There was no request for presentation or discussion at that time. It was reported due to the course shortfalls, coupled with issues related to the sequencing of instruction and testing, the concept was found to be unworkable.
A Basic Course Waiver (BCW) provides an exemption from the RBC or SIBC training requirements. A BCW is granted to individuals with qualifying out-of-state or federal law enforcement experience, whose law enforcement training, experience and education are deemed by POST to demonstrate sufficient law enforcement knowledge, skill and proficiency.
Out-of-state RBC applicants MUST successfully complete:
- General law enforcement basic course (Academy) – 200 hours minimum
- General law enforcement training – 664 hours minimum (includes basic course and in-service)
- Legislatively mandated training – included in the POST-certified Regular Basic Course (RBC)
- General law enforcement experience – 1 year minimum
Out-of-state SIBC applicants MUST successfully complete:
- Investigative or general law enforcement basic course (Academy) – 200 hours minimum Investigative or general law enforcement training – 591 hours minimum (including basic investigative course and in-service)
- Legislatively mandated training – included in the POST-certified Specialized Investigators’ Basic Course (SIBC)
- Investigative or general law enforcement experience – 1 year minimum
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