AB 400: Law enforcement: police canines.

Existing law requires law enforcement agencies to maintain a policy on the use of force, as specified. Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and charges it with, among other duties, developing uniform, minimum guidelines for adoption and promulgation by law enforcement agencies for use of force.

This bill would require, on or before January 1, 2027, every law enforcement agency, as defined, with a canine unit to maintain a policy for the use of canines by the agency that, at a minimum, complies with the most recent standards established by POST. Because the bill would impose additional duties on local law enforcement agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.