CA Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training

The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) was established by the Legislature in 1959 to set minimum selection and training standards for California law enforcement. The POST organization, with more than 130 staff members, functions under the direction of an Executive Director appointed by the Commission.

POST funding comes from the Peace Officers' Training Fund (POTF). The POTF receives money from the State Penalty Assessment Fund, which in turn receives money from penalty assessments on criminal and traffic fines. Therefore, the POST Program is funded primarily by persons who violate the laws that peace officers are trained to enforce. No tax dollars are used to fund the POST Program.

The POST Program is voluntary and incentive-based. Participating agencies agree to abide by the standards established by POST. More than 600 agencies participate in the POST Program and are eligible to receive the Commission's services and benefits which include:

-job-related assessment tools
-research into improved officer selection standards
-management counseling services
-the development of new training courses
-reimbursement for training, and
-quality leadership training programs

POST also awards professional certificates to recognize peace officer achievement and proficiency.