Bill > AB992

This bill introduces several significant changes to peace officer education and recruitment in California. Starting January 1, 2031, peace officers will be required to attain one of several educational or professional credentials within 36 months of receiving their basic certification, including an associate's degree from an accredited community college, a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited university, at least two years of military experience with an honorable discharge, two years of out-of-state law enforcement experience, a modern policing degree, or a professional policing certificate. The modern policing degree must include at least 60 semester units and cover subjects like communications, psychology, writing, ethics, and criminal justice. Similarly, a professional policing certificate must include at least 16 semester units in comparable subjects. Coursework from commission-certified police academies can count towards these educational requirements, though academy coursework cannot fulfill an entire certificate. The bill also establishes a Statewide Law Enforcement Recruitment Task Force composed of representatives from various law enforcement agencies to help identify and recruit potential candidates. Importantly, these new requirements will not apply to individuals already enrolled in a basic academy or employed as a peace officer in California as of December 31, 2030, providing a transition period for current law enforcement personnel.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB992