Existing law establishes in the Department of Justice, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. Existing law requires the commission to adopt, and authorizes the commission to amend, rules establishing minimum standards relating to physical, mental, and moral fitness that govern the recruitment of various peace officers, including city police officers and peace officer members of a county sheriff’s office. Existing law also requires the commission to carry out various duties related to peace officer education and training, including, among other duties, establishing a certificate program for peace officers, making inquiries to ensure adherence to standards for the recruitment and training of peace officers, and implementing specified courses of instruction in procedures applicable in specific circumstances, such as domestic violence and child abuse or neglect. Existing law
authorizes the commission to adopt those regulations as are necessary to carry out the purposes of these provisions relating to peace officer standards and training.
This bill would require each peace officer who is assigned in a jurisdiction that includes navigable waters, who serves as a crew member on a waterborne law enforcement vessel, and who meets other specified criteria to complete a course in basic maritime operations for law enforcement officers. The bill would require the course of instruction to include, among other things, boat handling, navigation rules, and comprehensive training regarding maritime boardings, arrest procedures, and counterterrorism practices and procedures. The bill would require that the curriculum be consistent with federal standards and tactical training. The provisions of the bill would become operative in a city, county, city and county, or district contingent upon the appropriation of federal funds for these purposes, as
specified, and the adoption of a resolution by the governing body of that city, county, city and county, or district, as specified.