(a) The commission shall implement by January 1, 1986, a course or courses of instruction for the training of law enforcement officers in California in the handling of domestic violence complaints and also shall develop guidelines for law enforcement response to domestic violence. The course or courses of instruction and the guidelines shall stress enforcement of criminal laws in domestic violence situations, availability of civil remedies and community resources, and protection of the victim. Where appropriate, the training presenters shall include domestic violence experts with expertise in the delivery of direct services to victims of domestic violence, including utilizing the staff of shelters for battered women in the presentation of training.
(b) As used in this section, “law enforcement officer” means any officer or employee of a local police department or sheriff’s office, any peace officer of the Department of Parks and Recreation, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 830.2, any peace officer of the University of California Police Department, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 830.2, any peace officer of the California State University Police Departments, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 830.2, a peace officer, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 830.31, or a peace officer as defined in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 830.32.
(c) The course of basic training for law enforcement officers shall, no later than January 1, 1986, include adequate instruction in the procedures and techniques described below:
(1) The provisions set forth in Title 5 (commencing with Section 13700) relating to response, enforcement of court orders, and data collection.
(2) The legal duties imposed on peace officers to make arrests and offer protection and assistance including guidelines for making felony and misdemeanor arrests.
(3) Techniques for handling incidents of domestic violence that minimize the likelihood of injury to the officer and that promote the safety of the victim.
(4) The nature and extent of domestic violence.
(5) The signs of domestic violence.
(6) The legal rights of, and remedies available to, victims of domestic violence.
(7) The use of an arrest by a private person in a domestic violence situation.
(8) Documentation, report writing, and evidence collection.
(9) Domestic violence diversion as provided in Chapter 2.6 (commencing with Section 1000.6) of Title 6 of Part 2.
(10) Tenancy issues and domestic violence.
(11) The impact on children of law enforcement intervention in domestic violence.
(12) The services and facilities available to victims and batterers.
(13) The use and applications of this code in domestic violence situations.
(14) Verification and enforcement of temporary restraining orders when (A) the suspect is present and (B) the suspect has fled.
(15) Verification and enforcement of stay-away orders.
(16) Cite and release policies.
(17) Emergency assistance to victims and how to assist victims in pursuing criminal justice options.
(d) The guidelines developed by the commission shall also incorporate the foregoing factors.
(e) (1) All law enforcement officers who have received their basic training before January 1, 1986, shall participate in supplementary training on domestic violence subjects, as prescribed and certified by the commission.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the training specified in paragraph (1) shall be completed no later than January 1, 1989.
(3) (A) The training for peace officers of the Department of Parks and Recreation, as defined in subdivision (g) of Section 830.2, shall be completed no later than January 1, 1992.
(B) The training for peace officers of the University of California Police Department and the California State University Police Departments, as defined in Section 830.2, shall be completed no later than January 1, 1993.
(C) The training for peace officers employed by a housing authority, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 830.31, shall be completed no later than January 1, 1995.
(4) Local law enforcement agencies are encouraged to include, as a part of their advanced officer training program, periodic updates and training on domestic violence. The commission shall assist where possible.
(f) (1) The course of instruction, the learning and performance objectives, the standards for the training, and the guidelines shall be developed by the commission in consultation with appropriate groups and individuals having an interest and expertise in the field of domestic violence. The groups and individuals shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: one representative each from the California Peace Officers’ Association, the Peace Officers’ Research Association of California, the State Bar of California, the California Women Lawyers’ Association, and the State Commission on the Status of Women and Girls; two representatives from the commission; two representatives from the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence; two peace officers, recommended by the commission, who are experienced in the provision of domestic violence training; and two domestic violence experts, recommended by the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, who are experienced in the provision of direct services to victims of domestic violence and at least one representative of service providers serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in connection with domestic violence. At least one of the persons selected shall be a former victim of domestic violence.
(2) The commission, in consultation with these groups and individuals, shall review existing training programs to determine in what ways domestic violence training might be included as a part of ongoing programs.
(g) Each law enforcement officer below the rank of supervisor who is assigned to patrol duties and would normally respond to domestic violence calls or incidents of domestic violence shall complete, every two years, an updated course of instruction on domestic violence that is developed according to the standards and guidelines developed pursuant to subdivision (d). The instruction required pursuant to this subdivision shall be funded from existing resources available for the training required pursuant to this section. It is the intent of the Legislature not to increase the annual training costs of local government entities.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 46, Sec. 116. (SB 1038) Effective June 27, 2012.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018