Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. Existing law requires the commission to develop guidelines and implement courses of instruction regarding racial profiling, domestic violence, hate crimes, vehicle pursuits, and human trafficking, among others. Existing law establishes the Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation which provides training courses for criminal investigators, including core instruction on matters common to all investigative activities and specialty courses in various investigative specialties.
This bill would require the commission, by January 1, 2023, to implement a course of instruction for the regular and periodic training of law enforcement officers in the use of advanced interpersonal communication skills. The bill would require the course to be incorporated into the course or courses of basic training for law enforcement officers. The bill would also require, by January 1, 2023, a course for criminal law enforcement investigators and for officers training to become detectives in science-based interviewing and would require this training to be included within the core course required by the Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation. The bill would require the commission to develop the specified courses, training standards, learning and performance objectives, and guidelines in consultation with individuals or groups with expertise in the fields of interpersonal communication and science-based interviewing. The bill would also require law enforcement agencies to adopt and promulgate specific policies and require regular and periodic training on advanced interpersonal communication training and science-based interviewing. By requiring the law enforcement agencies to implement additional policies and training, this bill imposes as state-mandated local program.
The bill would include a definition of advanced interpersonal communication skills and science-based interviewing.
The bill would include legislative findings and declarations, and would make a related statement of legislative intent.
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.

Statutes affected:
SB494: 19596.2 BPC
02/17/21 - Introduced: 19596.2 BPC
05/19/21 - Amended Assembly: 19596.2 BPC
SB 494: 19596.2 BPC