Greg Kyritsis Senior Law Enforcement Consultant CA Department of Justice / POST

1. California Commission on Peace Officer Standards & TrainingCreating a Career Pipeline to AddressLaw Enforcement Recruitment Challenges Greg Kyritsis Senior Law Enforcement Consultant CA Department of Justice / POST

2. The Mission of POST “To continually enhance the professionalism of California law enforcement in serving its communities.”

3. What is POST? • Established by State Legislature in 1959 to set minimum selection & training standards for California law enforcement • Overseen by the POST Commission • Funding comes from the Peace Officers’ Training Fund (POTF) which is funded by the State Penalty Assessment Fund • Not General Fund Monies – No tax dollars

4. POST Services to Law Enforcement • Program is voluntary and incentive based • Agencies agree to abide by POST standards • Over 600 law enforcement agencies & 39 academies • Over 93,000 officers, dispatchers, & reserves • Agencies eligible to receive following benefits: • Access to approximately 5,000 POST certified courses • Reimbursements to agencies for training (basic/in-service) • Management counseling services • Job-related assessment tools • Other resources…

5. POST Strategic Planning Seminar • Committee of stakeholders identified continued challenges to officer recruitment • Most applicants are NOT Ready • Statewide average – only 4 to 8 out of 100 applicants are able to pass the selection process (92-96% failure rate) • Does not include Basic Academy training or Field Training Officer program

6. Most Common Reasons for Failing the Application Process • Weak Academic Skills • Reading & writing issues • Weak Fitness Levels • Character/Integrity Issues • Misstatements/omissions • Criminal activity • Unsatisfactory work history • Interpersonal problems • Poor choices in judgment

7. Decision-Making and Judgment

8. Identified Future Need Develop school based programs in partnership with our school districts to “grow our own” qualified applicant pool.

9. Law Enforcement Recruitment Needs • Peace Officers • Police Dispatchers • Community Service Officers • Crime Scene Investigators • Forensic Specialists • Accounting and other administrative specialists • And many other general employee positions • Home-grown & reflects community’s demographics

10. Public Safety Career Pipeline Concept of keeping students in a defined educational and agency affiliated pipeline. This allows for the ongoing reinforcement of the career foundations needed to meet the future selection criteria for entry into the law enforcement profession.

11. Curriculum Enhancement • Using Law Enforcement/Public Safety theme to motivate students’ interest in performance • Ethics, Integrity & Leadership • Solid Academics / Reading & Writing Abilities • Decision-Making & Judgment • Social Competence & Interpersonal Skills • Developing Mind-Set for Lifetime Fitness • Complete Understanding of the California Peace Officer Selection Process

12. Career Pipeline Components • Exposure to Career Path – Elementary School • Develop Foundational Core – Middle School • Enhance Critical Core Skills – High School • Enhance with Agency Explorer/Cadet Programs • Reinforcement of Core – Community College • Continue Explorer/Cadet & Internship Programs • Promote Advanced College Education • Reinforcement of the Officer Selection Process throughout the Career Pipeline

13. Peace Officer Selection Process Review of Minimum Qualifications Reading and Writing Exam Physical Ability Oral Interview Background Investigation Detection of Deception Psychological Exam Medical Exam Appointment

14. Review of Minimum Requirements • Age • Citizenship • Education • Criminal History Check Requirements & selection standards are pursuant to Government Codes & Commission Regulations

15. Reading & Writing Assessment • An aptitude test based on 8th grade level • Three components to this test • Writing component measures clarity, vocabulary, and spelling • Reading component measures reading comprehension • And component to focus on reasoning ability • Skills are acquired gradually over long period

16. Oral Interview Assessment Must include the following six factors: • Personal Experience • Problem Solving Ability • Communication Skills • Interest/Motivation • Interpersonal Skills • Community Involvement/Awareness

17. Background Investigation • Ensures applicant is of good moral character • Based on Personal History Statement (25-pg) • Five categories of measurement • Moral Character • Handling Stress & Adversity • Work Habits • Interactions with Others • Intellectually-Based Abilities

18. Background Categories Filtered to 10 Background Dimensions • Integrity • Impulse Control/Attention to Safety • Substance Abuse & Other Risk-Taking Behavior • Stress Tolerance • Confronting Problems, Obstacles, & Adversity • Conscientiousness • Interpersonal Skills • Decision-Making & Judgment • Learning Ability • Communication Skills

19. Psychological Exam – 10 DimensionsConducted by Licensed Psychologist to ensure applicant free of any emotional or mental condition that might adversely affect the exercise of powers of peace officer. • Social Competence • Teamwork • Adaptability/Flexibility • Conscientiousness/Dependability • Impulse Control/Attention to Safety • Integrity/Ethics • Emotional Regulations/Stress Tolerance • Decision-Making/Judgment • Assertiveness/Persuasiveness • Avoiding Substance Abuse & Other Risk Behaviors

20. Medical Evaluation Conducted by licensed physician to ensure applicant is free from any condition that might adversely affect the exercise of powers of a peace officer.

21. Basic Academy Requirements • Meet all POST testing standards (43 LDs) • Includes physical ability test • 99-yd obstacle course (small curbs/hurdles) • Body drag (165 lb dummy) • 6’ chain link fence climb with short run • 6’ solid fence climb with short run • 500-yard run • All based on time

22. Primary Focus of Career Pipeline • Motivating students to want to do their best in their educational environment • Directing them to viable career paths and an understanding of the importance for developing a solid foundation in academics, fitness, and moral character • Character development program to develop well-rounded student/candidate essential

23. Character Development Component • Development needs to start early • A variety of character development programs • Michael Josephson Institute of Ethics • Character Counts & the Six-Pillars of Character • POST affiliation with Institute since 2005 • Extensive materials available • Pre-school, students (K-12), parents, and adults

24. Josephson Institute of Ethics - The Six-Pillars of Character

25. Commitment to the Future “I am a Public Safety Academy cadet. I strive to achieve academic excellence. I exemplify high moral character. I work diligently to prepare for the future. I know my success in school and life is dependent on my own effort.” The Cadet Creed / The Public Safety Academy (grades 6 - 12) Independent Charter School – San Bernardino County Schools Committed to the Six-Pillars of Character

26. Current Programs POST Affiliated • Anaheim Police – Jr. Police Cadets/Elementary School • LAPD – Jr. Police / Middle-Schools & High Schools • Public Safety Academy – San Bernardino (grades 6-12) • Sacramento Police – Magnet High Schools & Charter • San Diego Police – Montgomery High School (CPA) • Chula Vista Police – Otay Ranch High School (CPA) • LAPD / POPP – 2yr College at Ahmanson RTC • Chancellor’s Community College Task Group (LEBS) • Fairfield/Suisun USD – Police, Fire, EMT / grades 5-7 • National Partnership for Careers in Public Safety

27. School and Agency Formats • Sworn Peace Officer(s) assigned to school(s) • Hiring of retired peace officers under Voc Ed • Liaison Officer to facilitate presenters, tours • Other formats – Key is a “Career Pipeline” • Recommend formation of advisory group • Formation of non-profit foundation • Use of CCTE format, “a-g” format, other • One-year startup is the usual estimate

28. Benefits of Affiliated Programs • Finding that students in law enforcement or public safety school based programs usually… • Perform at the academic average or above • Dropout rate is usually non-existent • Discipline issues are minimal • And many entering college

29. POST Resource to CA Agencies • POST DVD and Program Guide • Development of a Core Course for agencies • Access to Special Seminars (info exchange) • Access to POST Network Site for law enforcement affiliated school based programs - Networking among agencies/programs - Curriculum resources & “best practices” - Expansion of partnerships

30. CA POST DVD Production