HCSD — Standard Operating Procedures

203.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

It is the policy of this office to administer a training program that will provide for the professional growth and continued development of its personnel. By doing so, the Department will ensure its personnel possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide a professional level of service that meets the needs of the community.

203.2 PHILOSOPHY

The Department seeks to provide ongoing training and encourages all personnel to participate in advanced training and formal education on a continual basis. Training is provided within the confines of funding, requirements of a given assignment, staffing levels, and legal mandates. Whenever possible, the Department will use courses certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

203.3 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Training Program are to:

• Enhance the level of law enforcement service to the public.
• Increase the technical expertise and overall effectiveness of our personnel.
• Provide for continued professional development of Department personnel.
• Ensure compliance with POST rules and regulations concerning law enforcement training.

203.4 TRAINING PLAN

A training plan will be developed and maintained by the Training Coordinator. It is the responsibility of the Training Coordinator to maintain, review, and update the training plan on an annual basis.

The plan will address the following areas:

• State Mandated Training
• Critical Issues Training

203.4.1 POST-MANDATED TRAINING

Members of the Department shall complete all POST-mandated training, including (Penal Code § 13510; 11 CCR § 1005):

• Entry-level training standards, prior to being assigned duties that include the exercise of peace officer power.
• At least 24 hours of POST-certified and/or POST-approved training every two years.

203.4.2 ACCREDITATION-MANDATED TRAINING

The following list includes but is not limited to training that is required by the California Accreditation for Public Safety Program standards. Training shall conform to POST requirements as appropriate and be provided to all deputies on an annual basis unless noted, including:

• Review of any new, updated, or high-risk policies.
• Search and seizure (see the Search and Seizure, Contacts and Temporary Detentions, and Custodial Searches policies.)
• Body-worn cameras (see the Body-Worn Cameras Policy).
• Domestic violence involving deputies.
• Legal and legislative updates.
• Tactical communication techniques.
• Hazardous materials (see the Hazardous Material Response Policy).
• CPR refresher (annual or as established by the certifying organization).
• Mental health/crisis intervention (see the Crisis Intervention Incidents and Mental Illness Commitments policies).
• Use of military equipment, if any, used by the Department (initial training and as determined by the Training Deputy).

Other accreditation-mandated training requirements are included in the applicable policies.

203.4.3 NON-SWORN ORIENTATION

The Training Deputy or the authorized designee shall provide all newly appointed non-sworn members with information and instruction regarding the following:

• Department mission, values, and organizational structure (see the Organizational Structure and Responsibility Policy)
• Code of conduct and ethics (see Standards of Conduct Policy)
• Confidentiality and records handling (including CJIS compliance, if applicable)
• Workplace harassment and discrimination prevention (see the Discriminatory Harassment Policy)
• Safety procedures and emergency protocols
• Relevant Department policies and procedures
• Role-specific expectations and duties

203.4.4 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

The Training Deputy or the authorized designee shall establish a plan to train and develop personnel for future leadership responsibilities, including fair and appropriate professional development opportunities (e.g., mentorship, leadership training or academies, rotational or acting assignments, other opportunities designed to enhance supervisory and management knowledge, skills, and abilities).

203.5 TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT

The Professional Standards Division will conduct an annual training-needs assessment of the Department. The needs assessment will be reviewed by staff. Upon approval by the staff, the needs assessment will form the basis for the training plan for the fiscal year.

203.6 TRAINING COMMITTEE

The Undersheriff acting as Trainer shall establish a Training Committee, which will serve to assist with identifying training needs for the Department.

The Training Committee shall be comprised of at least two members, with the senior ranking member of the committee acting as the chairperson. Members should be selected based on their abilities at post-incident evaluation and at assessing related training needs. The Trainer may remove or replace members of the committee at his/her discretion.

The Training Committee should review certain incidents to determine whether training would likely improve future outcomes or reduce or prevent the recurrence of the undesirable issues related to the incident. Specific incidents the Training Committee should review include, but are not limited to:

• Any incident involving the death or serious injury of an employee.
• Incidents involving a high risk of death, serious injury or civil liability.
• Incidents identified by a supervisor as appropriate to review to identify possible training needs.

The Training Committee should convene on an ad-hoc as needed basis as determined by the Trainer to review the identified incidents. The committee shall determine by consensus whether a training need exists and then submit written recommendations of its findings to the Trainer. The recommendation should not identify specific facts of any incidents, such as identities of employees involved or the date, time and location of the incident, but should focus on the type of training being recommended.

The Trainer will consider the recommendations of the committee and determine what training should be addressed, taking into consideration the mission of the Department and available resources.

203.7 TRAINING PROCEDURES

• All employees assigned to attend training shall attend as scheduled unless previously excused by their immediate supervisor. Excused absences from mandatory training should be limited to the following:

1. Court appearances
2. First choice vacation
3. Sick leave
4. Physical limitations preventing the employee's participation.
5. Emergency situations

• When an employee is unable to attend mandatory training, that employee shall:

1. Notify his/her supervisor as soon as possible but no later than one hour prior to the start of training.
2. Document his/her absence in a memorandum to his/her supervisor.
3. Make arrangements through his/her supervisor and the Trainer to attend the required training on an alternate date.

203.9 POLICY

The Department shall administer a training program that will meet the standards of federal, state, local, and POST training requirements. It is a priority of this Department to provide continuing education and training for the professional growth and development of its members.

203.10 TRAINER

The Sheriff shall designate a Training Deputy or Trainer, The Undersheriff, who is responsible for developing, reviewing, updating, and maintaining the Department training plan so that required training is completed. The Trainer should review the training plan annually.

203.10.1 TRAINING RESTRICTION

The Trainer is responsible for establishing a process to identify deputies who are restricted from training other deputies for the time period specified by law because of a sustained use of force complaint (Government Code § 7286(b)).

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