Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Records, 1970-1992

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Summary

Title:
Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Records
Dates:
1970-1992
Creators:
Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
Abstract:
The records of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission consist of seven cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records spanning the period from 1970-1992, which reflect the activities of the Commission as it worked to raise the level of effectiveness of state law enforcement through improved selection and training standards.
Extent:
7 cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Records, R192.[Series Number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The records of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission consist of seven cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records spanning the period from 1970-1992, which reflect the activities of the Commission as it worked to raise the level of effectiveness of state law enforcement through improved selection and training standards. The record group is organized into four series: Bill Files, Correspondence, Subject Files, and Training Program Files.

The bulk of the records pertain to developing and improving training programs for California peace officers. The majority of the legislative measures present in the Bill Files series, for example, sought increased funding for peace officer training and proposed new programs in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. The Training Program Files focus solely on training program development, and include material related to the creation of courses in narcotics investigation, traffic accident investigation, and bailiff and civil process training. The Subject Files will also be of help to researchers interested in peace officer training program development. For example, the Commission created the Shooting Simulator Advisory Committee to oversee the production of a "Shoot/Don't Shoot" training simulator to test "shooting judgment," or when to hold fire. Files regarding shooting judgment contain a wide variety of materials including videocassettes, photographs, and publications.

Also present in the collection are the records of the Center for Police Management, an organization established within the Commission in 1973 to streamline the administrative functions of local and state law enforcement. The Center for Police Management records are organized into three series: Bill Files, Subject Files, and Research Study Files.

The majority of the material produced by the Center for Police Management demonstrates its' role within the Commission as a resource for effective law enforcement management strategies. Within the files are studies, research projects, correspondence and reports used by the Center for Police Management to provide local law enforcement agencies with managerial support and solutions to administrative problems. For example, the Subject Files contain information on a 1978 'training needs assessment' of local governments affected by Proposition 13, which reduced funding for city and county law enforcement agencies.

Biographical / historical:

In July 1959, Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown signed legislation creating the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training within the California Department of Justice (Chapter 1823, Statutes of 1959). The Commission was the first such organization in the United States, created to function as a special fund agency to develop and administer selection and training standards for state law enforcement.

The Commission consists of peace officers from city police departments and county sheriff's offices and elected officials from cities and counties. Charged with enhancing the professionalism of California law enforcement, the primary duties of the Commission include assuring that sufficient resources are available to law enforcement to meet training and standards needs; developing standards and guidelines for hiring peace officers; improving the quality and availability of training for peace officers; and streamlining administrative procedures to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of operations at the local and state level. The Commission also develops and certifies course curriculum and peace officer training courses, which are provided through local community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, police academies, private trainers and training centers.

Since its inception, programs administered by the Commission have been voluntary and incentive-based. Participating agencies that abide by Commission rules and standards receive revenue and grants to and to cover the costs of administration and to fund peace officer training. The Commission receives operating funds from the Peace Officer's Training Fund, which in turn is supported by the State Penalty Assessment Fund. Therefore, the Commission is not supported by tax dollars, but by penalty assessments on criminal and traffic fines.

Acquisition information:
The California State Archives acquired the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Records according to state law.
Accruals:

Further accruals are expected.

Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Jessica Knox
Date Prepared:
© 2009
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Jessica Knox. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: 30 December 2009.

Access and use

Restrictions:

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.

Terms of access:

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Records, R192.[Series Number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
Website