California Commission on Peace Officer Standards & Training

Creating a Career Pipeline to AddressLaw Enforcement Recruitment Challenges

Greg KyritsisSenior Law Enforcement ConsultantCA Department of Justice / POST

The Mission of POST

“To continually enhance the professionalism of California law enforcement in serving its communities.”

What is POST?

Established by State Legislature in 1959 to set minimum selection & training standards for California law enforcement

Overseen by the POST Commission Funding comes from the Peace Officers’

Training Fund (POTF) which is funded by the State Penalty Assessment Fund

Not General Fund Monies – No tax dollars

POST Services to Law Enforcement

Program is voluntary and incentive based Agencies agree to abide by POST standards Over 600 law enforcement agencies & 39 academies Over 93,000 officers, dispatchers, & reserves Agencies eligible to receive following benefits:

o Access to approximately 5,000 POST certified courseso Reimbursements to agencies for training (basic/in-service)o Management counseling serviceso Job-related assessment toolso Other resources…

POST Strategic Planning Seminar

• Committee of stakeholders identified

continued challenges to officer recruitment• Most applicants are NOT Ready• Statewide average – only 4 to 8 out of 100

applicants are able to pass the selection process (92-96% failure rate) • Does not include Basic Academy training

or Field Training Officer program

Most Common Reasons for Failing the Application Process

• Weak Academic Skills• Reading & writing issues

• Weak Fitness Levels• Character/Integrity Issues

• Misstatements/omissions• Criminal activity• Unsatisfactory work history• Interpersonal problems• Poor choices in judgment

Decision-Making and Judgment

Identified Future Need

Develop school based programs

in partnership with our school districts to “grow our own”

qualified applicant pool.

Law Enforcement Recruitment Needs

Peace Officers Police Dispatchers Community Service Officers Crime Scene Investigators Forensic Specialists Accounting and other administrative specialists And many other general employee positions Home-grown & reflects community’s demographics

Public Safety Career Pipeline

Concept of keeping students in a defined educational and agency affiliated pipeline. This allows for the ongoing reinforcement of the career foundations needed to meet the future selection criteria for entry into the law enforcement profession.

Curriculum Enhancement

• Using Law Enforcement/Public Safety theme

to motivate students’ interest in performance• Ethics, Integrity & Leadership • Solid Academics / Reading & Writing Abilities• Decision-Making & Judgment• Social Competence & Interpersonal Skills • Developing Mind-Set for Lifetime Fitness• Complete Understanding of the California

Peace Officer Selection Process

Career Pipeline Components

Exposure to Career Path – Elementary School Develop Foundational Core – Middle School Enhance Critical Core Skills – High School Enhance with Agency Explorer/Cadet Programs Reinforcement of Core – Community College Continue Explorer/Cadet & Internship Programs Promote Advanced College Education Reinforcement of the Officer Selection Process

throughout the Career Pipeline

Peace Officer Selection Process

Review of Minimum Qualifications

Reading and Writing Exam

Physical Ability

Oral Interview

Background Investigation

Detection of Deception

Psychological Exam

Medical Exam

Appointment

Review of Minimum Requirements

Age Citizenship Education Criminal History Check

Requirements & selection standards are pursuant

to Government Codes & Commission Regulations

Reading & Writing Assessment

An aptitude test based on 8th grade level Three components to this test Writing component measures clarity,

vocabulary, and spelling Reading component measures reading

comprehension And component to focus on reasoning ability Skills are acquired gradually over long period

Oral Interview Assessment

Must include the following six factors:

1. Personal Experience

2. Problem Solving Ability

3. Communication Skills

4. Interest/Motivation

5. Interpersonal Skills

6. Community Involvement/Awareness

Background Investigation

Ensures applicant is of good moral character Based on Personal History Statement (25-pg) Five categories of measurement

– Moral Character– Handling Stress & Adversity– Work Habits– Interactions with Others– Intellectually-Based Abilities

Background Categories Filtered to 10 Background Dimensions

– Integrity– Impulse Control/Attention to Safety– Substance Abuse & Other Risk-Taking Behavior– Stress Tolerance– Confronting Problems, Obstacles, & Adversity– Conscientiousness– Interpersonal Skills– Decision-Making & Judgment– Learning Ability– Communication Skills

Psychological Exam – 10 DimensionsConducted by Licensed Psychologist to ensure applicant free of any emotional or mental condition that might adversely affect the exercise of powers of peace officer.

– Social Competence– Teamwork– Adaptability/Flexibility– Conscientiousness/Dependability– Impulse Control/Attention to Safety– Integrity/Ethics– Emotional Regulations/Stress Tolerance– Decision-Making/Judgment– Assertiveness/Persuasiveness– Avoiding Substance Abuse & Other Risk Behaviors

Medical Evaluation

Conducted by licensed physician to ensure applicant is free from any condition that might adversely affect the exercise of powers of a peace officer.

Basic Academy Requirements

Meet all POST testing standards (43 LDs) Includes physical ability test

99-yd obstacle course (small curbs/hurdles) Body drag (165 lb dummy) 6’ chain link fence climb with short run 6’ solid fence climb with short run 500-yard run

o All based on time

Primary Focus of Career Pipeline

Motivating students to want to do their best in their educational environment

Directing them to viable career paths and an understanding of the importance for developing a solid foundation in academics, fitness, and moral character

Character development program to develop well-rounded student/candidate essential

Character Development Component

Development needs to start early A variety of character development programs Michael Josephson Institute of Ethics

– Character Counts & the Six-Pillars of Character– POST affiliation with Institute since 2005– Extensive materials available

Pre-school, students (K-12), parents, and adults

Josephson Institute of Ethics - The Six-Pillars of Character

Commitment to the Future

“I am a Public Safety Academy cadet.

I strive to achieve academic excellence.

I exemplify high moral character.

I work diligently to prepare for the future.

I know my success in school and life is dependent on my own effort.”

The Cadet Creed / The Public Safety Academy (grades 6 - 12)

Independent Charter School – San Bernardino County Schools

Committed to the Six-Pillars of Character

Current Programs POST Affiliated

Anaheim Police – Jr. Police Cadets/Elementary School LAPD – Jr. Police / Middle-Schools & High Schools Public Safety Academy – San Bernardino (grades 6-12) Sacramento Police – Magnet High Schools & Charter San Diego Police – Montgomery High School (CPA) Chula Vista Police – Otay Ranch High School (CPA) LAPD / POPP – 2yr College at Ahmanson RTC Chancellor’s Community College Task Group (LEBS) Fairfield/Suisun USD – Police, Fire, EMT / grades 5-7 National Partnership for Careers in Public Safety

School and Agency Formats

Sworn Peace Officer(s) assigned to school(s) Hiring of retired peace officers under Voc Ed Liaison Officer to facilitate presenters, tours Other formats – Key is a “Career Pipeline” Recommend formation of advisory group Formation of non-profit foundation Use of CCTE format, “a-g” format, other One-year startup is the usual estimate

Benefits of Affiliated Programs

Finding that students in law enforcement or public safety school based programs usually…– Perform at the academic average or above– Dropout rate is usually non-existent– Discipline issues are minimal– And many entering college

POST Resource to CA Agencies

POST DVD and Program Guide Development of a Core Course for agencies Access to Special Seminars (info exchange) Access to POST Network Site for law

enforcement affiliated school based programs

- Networking among agencies/programs

- Curriculum resources & “best practices”

- Expansion of partnerships

CA POST DVD Production