| The Regular Basic Course (academy)
is the entry-level training requirement for many California peace
officers, as specified in POST
Regulation 1005 (doc). There are 39 POST-certified basic
training academies in California. The course is offered in both
the Standard and Modular Formats.
Course Formats
The Standard Format of the Regular Basic Course is delivered in
a one-part instructional sequence with a minimum requirement of
664 hours. There are two presentation styles: Intensive and Extended.
The Intensive Format is a full-time academy that typically meets
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Extended Format is a
part-time or weekend academy that meets evenings and weekends.
The Modular Format of the Regular Basic Course is designed as a
reserve training program and is delivered in a three-part instructional
sequence that coincides with the three California reserve peace
officer levels. The minimum requirement is 730 hours, allowing necessary
redundancy of instruction in critical skill areas due to the three-part
sequence that can be taken over an extended period of time.
Curriculum
The Regular Basic Course curriculum is divided into 41 individual topics, called Learning Domains.
The Learning Domains contain the minimum required foundational information for given subjects, which are
detailed in the Training and Testing Specifications for Peace Officer Basic Courses. The training
and testing specifications for a particular domain may also include information on required instructional
activities and testing requirements.
Student Workbooks
Student workbooks are important sources of text-based information
for the Regular Basic Course. These workbooks introduce each topic
and contain self-assessment questions, chapter objectives, workbook
learning activities, terminology and definitions. The Regular Basic
Course Student Workbooks may be ordered online.
Student Preparedness
The Regular Basic Course prepares each student by providing hands-on
experience, including weapons training, role-play scenarios, patrol
procedures, emergency vehicle operations, and arrest and control
techniques. The student must pass written, exercise, scenario, and
physical abilities tests, to demonstrate readiness for entry into
a department's standardized Field Training Program.
Specific minimum training and testing requirements for the Regular
Basic Course can be found in Commission
Procedure D-1 (doc).
Requalification Requirement
As specified in Commission
Regulation 1008 (doc), requalification of Regular Basic Course
(RBC) training is required when:
- An individual does not become employed in a position that requires
the RBC within three years of successful course completion, or
- An individual completes the RBC, and subsequently has a three-year-or-longer
break in service from a position that requires the RBC.
To requalify, an individual must successfully complete the 136-hour
POST Requalification Course.
Information
Questions about the Regular Basic Course may be directed to the
Basic Training Bureau at 916.227.4252. |
