SB 1122: Peace officers: educational requirements.

Existing law requires peace officers in this state to meet specified minimum standards, including age and education requirements. Existing law requires the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to develop a modern policing degree program, with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training and other stakeholders to serve as advisors, as specified, and to submit a report on recommendations to the Legislature outlining a plan to implement the program on or before June 1, 2023. Existing law requires the report to include, among other things, recommendations to include both the modern policing degree program and a bachelors degree in the discipline of their choosing as minimum education requirements for employment as a peace officer. Existing law requires the commission to adopt the recommended criteria within 2 years of when the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges submits its report to the Legislature.

This bill would specify that a bachelors degree or an associates degree required for employment as a peace officer under these provisions may be obtained after completion of the Peace Officer Standards and Training program. program and within 36 months of employment as a peace officer.