Chapter 3 – Personnel, Training, and Employee Relations

The Office of Training and Professional Development (OTPD), under the oversight of Peace Officer Selection and Employee Development (POSEDPeace Officer Selection and Development), utilizes the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center (R.A. McGee CTC) and Stockton Training Center (STC) as training sites.  OTPD staff provides effective entry-level custody training in compliance with statutes, laws, regulations, policy, and collective bargaining agreements.

This Article identifies the role of the OTPD Academies (adult, parole and juvenile).

The objectives of OTPD are:

• To carry out the mandates of statutes, laws, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.

• To assist in the training and evaluation of youth and adult correctional peace officer cadets and adult parole agent students.

• To refine and expand the professional knowledge and skills of the attending training participants.

• To meet standards of accreditation as defined by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). To carry out the mandates of statutes, laws, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.

Basic Correctional Officer Academy (BCOA) – Courses structured for employees hired for adult Correctional Officer classifications.

Basic Correctional Juvenile Academy (BCJA) – Courses structured for employees hired for Youth Correctional Officer, Youth Correctional Counselor, Casework Specialist, and Institutional Parole Agent classifications.

Basic Parole Agent Academy (BPAA) – Courses structured for employees hired for Adult Parole Agent classifications.

Cadet – A newly appointed correctional peace officer cadet attending the BCOA or BCJA.

Student – A newly appointed parole agent attending the BPAA.

Peace Officer Selection and Employee Development (POSEDPeace Officer Selection and Development)

The Deputy Director, Peace Officer Selection and Employee Development, shall have administrative oversight of OTPD training programs.

• Deputy Director, POSEDPeace Officer Selection and Development. The Deputy Director, POSEDPeace Officer Selection and Development, is responsible for policy development, management oversight, and evaluation of employee development programs based on competencies associated with successful job performance and alignment of such programs with strategic business goals and objectives.  The overall program direction is delegated to the Academy Administrator, R.A. McGee CTC.

• Academy Administrator. Under the direction of the Deputy Director, POSEDPeace Officer Selection and Development, the Academy Administrator oversees the operation of all OTPD Academies held at the R.A. McGee CTC or STC, and ensures compliance with CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation policies and procedures.

• Academy Commander. Under the direct supervision of the Academy Administrator, the Academy Commander (Captain) directs the daily operation and overall supervision of the BCOA and BCJA.

• BCOA Instructors. Under the general supervision of a Correctional Lieutenant, BCOA instructors teach classroom and field classes in various subject matters.  BCOA instructors monitor and rate cadet performance and enforce OTPD and departmental rules and regulations. BCOA instructors prepare a written probationary report for cadets attending the BCOA, including both an assessment of academic achievement and the general performance of each cadet as an entry-level correctional peace officer.

• BCOA Cadets. During their training period, cadets will comply with the expectations and practices established by the BCOA.  These expectations and practices shall be written and included in the Cadet Handbook which is provided to each cadet prior to the first day of training.

• BCJA Instructors. Under the general supervision of a Correctional Lieutenant, BCJA instructors teach classroom and field classes in various subject matters. BCJA instructors monitor and rate cadet performance and enforce OTPD and departmental rules and regulations.  BCJA instructors prepare a written probation report for cadets attending the BCJA including both an assessment of academic achievement and the general performance of each cadet as an entry-level youth peace officer.

• BCJA Cadets. During their training period, cadets comply with the expectations and practices established by the BCJA. These expectations and practices shall be written and included in the Cadet Handbook, which is provided to each cadet prior to the first day of training.

• BPAA Administrator. In coordination with the Academy Administrator, the BPAA Administrator directs the overall supervision of the BPAA.

• BPAA Commander. Under the direction of the BPAA Administrator, the BPAA Commander (Parole Agent III) directs the daily operation of the BPAA.

• BPAA Coordinators (Parole Agent II Supervisors). Under the direction of the BPAA Commander, the BPAA Coordinators (Parole Agent II Supervisors) direct the daily operation of the BPAA. BPAA Coordinators monitor and rate student performance and enforce BPAA and Departmental rules and regulations.  BPAA Coordinators prepare a written probation report for students attending the BPAA. BPAA Coordinators shall initiate any written progressive discipline, if necessary.

• BPAA Coordinators (Parole Agent II Specialists). Under the direction of the BPAA Commander, the BPAA Coordinators (Parole Agent II Specialist) direct the daily operation of the BPAA. BPAA Coordinators monitor and enforce BPAA and Departmental rules and regulations.

• BPAA Instructors. Under the general direction of BPAA Coordinators, BPAA instructors teach classroom and field classes in various subject matters. BPAA instructors shall adhere, monitor, and enforce academy and Departmental rules and regulations.

• BPAA Students. Newly appointed Parole Agents attending the BPAA may be assigned to the R.A. McGee CTC for the period of their training.  During this period, BPAA students will comply with the expectations and practices established by the Division of Adult Parole Operations.  These expectations and practices shall be written and included in the BPAA Student Handbook, which is provided to each student prior to the first day of training.
  

Basic Correctional Officer Academy – 13 weeks of training as provided by POSEDPeace Officer Selection and Development. This course of study complies with requirements contained in Penal Code (PCPenal Code) sections 832 and 22820. 

When correctional lieutenants, sergeants, correctional counselors, and officers return from an extended absence of at least 12 months or more, the following training requirements shall be applied:

• Employees returning from an extended absence between 12 and less than 36 months shall attend off-post training, and any other courses deemed necessary at the employee’s institution.

• Employees returning from an extended absence which lasts between 36 and 60 months shall attend a 4 week mini-academy provided by POSEDPeace Officer Selection and Development and pass an examination in accordance with PCPenal Code sections 832 and 22820 (if the PCPenal Code 832 certificate has expired).  Employees returning from such an absence shall also attend required off-post training and any other courses deemed necessary at the employee’s institution.

• Employees whose absence lasts longer than 60 months shall attend and successfully complete all components of the BCOA and pass an examination in accordance with PCPenal Code sections 832 and 22820 (if the PCPenal Code 832 certificate has expired).

Newly hired Correctional Counselors (CCIs) without prior Division of Adult Institution peace officer experience shall successfully complete a 7 week academy provided by POSEDPeace Officer Selection and Development, which includes 2 weeks of PCPenal Code section 832 training.

• Peace Officers transferring from the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPODivision of Adult Parole Operations (formerly P&CSD)) into the CCICalifornia Correctional Institution classification) without prior Division of Adult Institution peace officer experience shall successfully complete a 5 week academy, provided by POSEDPeace Officer Selection and Development.

Parole Agents shall successfully complete a Basic Parole Agent Academy (BPAA) that includes PCPenal Code sections 832 and 22820 requirements prior to permanent assignment to a parole unit. Every appointed peace officer shall:

• Graduate from the BPAA upon appointment into the parole agent classification.

• Complete the required firearms qualification course with a minimum passing score of 80 percent with a DAPODivision of Adult Parole Operations (formerly P&CSD) division issued firearm. On the malfunction firearms qualification course, BPAA students must pass the course with a minimum passing score of 80 percent with no more than two shooter errors while clearing a malfunction.

• Pass each maneuver of the Arrest and Control Methods/Defensive Tactics Competency course.

Employees returning to the parole agent classification series from re-employment status, workers’ compensation status, extended sick leave, reinstatement from retirement status, or other extended absence from performing the duties of the parole agent classification series will be required to attend the following training:

• Any employee who has not performed the duties of the parole agent classification for less than 12 months will require refresher training as determined by the Regional Parole Administrator.

• Any employee who has not performed the duties of the parole agent classification between 12 and less than 36 months will require completion of a full BPAA, a modified BPAA, or refresher training as determined by the DAPODivision of Adult Parole Operations (formerly P&CSD) Director.

• Any employee who has not performed the duties of the parole agent classification for 36 months or longer requires completion of a full BPAA and passage of an examination in accordance with PCPenal Code sections 832 and 22820.  If an employee fails to successfully complete all components of the BPAA, the employee will be non-punitively dismissed for failing to meet the minimum qualifications of the parole agent classification.

Upon return to the parole agent classification series any current probation, apprenticeship or Field Training Program requirements must be met.  Compliance with these guidelines will ensure staff is properly trained in new procedures and protocols.

Any correctional peace officer who is returning from a break in service of three years or longer as a California peace officer shall be required to again pass the examination approved under PCPenal Code section 832 unless he or she:

• Is returning to a management position that is at the second level of supervision or higher.

• Has successfully requalified for a basic course through the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.

• Has maintained proficiency through teaching the course described under Penal Code section 832, subdivision (a).

• During the break in California service, was continuously employed as a peace officer in another state or at the federal level.

• Was continuously employed as a custodial officer after being appointed as a peace officer pursuant to Penal Code section 830.1, subdivision (c).
  These exceptions do not apply to weapons qualification examinations.

All personnel subject to training and other designated individuals requiring such training shall successfully complete a weapons qualifications course mandated per PCPenal Code section 830.5, subdivision (d). Standards shall meet Penal Code, CPOST, Department policy, and job-related requirements.

Cadets and students attending the BCOA or BPAA who fail to complete mandatory weapons qualifications shall be rejected on probation.

The CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation uniform and grooming standards are defined in the Department Operations Manual (DOMDepartment Operations Manual) Chapter 3, Article 21, Uniforms/Employee Grooming Standards.

• BCOA instructors may have specialized tactical and range uniforms, as approved by the Academy Administrator.

• BCOA and BCJA cadets shall adhere to the uniform and grooming standards defined in DOMDepartment Operations Manual Chapter 3, Article 21.

• BPAA instructors may have specialized tactical and range attire. All specialized tactical and range attire shall be approved by the BPAA Administrator.  BPAA students shall adhere to the BPAA attire as defined in Bargaining Unit 6 MOUMemorandum Of Understanding.

All POSEDPeace Officer Selection and Development approved courses will be developed by OTPD’s Instructional Design Unit, and will be in compliance with the standards prescribed by Penal Code (PCPenal Code) sections 830-832, 13601, POST and the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST).

All cadets and students attending an academy under POSEDPeace Officer Selection and Development shall attain at least the minimum scores established by CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and POST.

Cadets and students not achieving a passing score on any written examination shall be provided with an opportunity to retake the same, or similar, written examination one time only.  Additional instruction, remediation and supervision may be provided prior to re-testing.

Cadets and students not achieving a passing score during the firing portion of the firearms training shall be given an opportunity to re-test with the weapon(s) one time only.  Additional instruction, remediation and supervision may be provided prior to re-testing.

Cadets and students not achieving a passing score on a performance-based evaluation shall be provided with an opportunity to retake the same, or similar, performance-based evaluation one time only. Additional instruction and supervision may be provided prior to re-testing.

Each cadet and student shall be continually evaluated during the course of instruction.  The evaluation shall give specific attention to the following areas of interest:

• General academic performance.

• Professional appearance and behavior.

• Relationships with people.

• Punctuality.

• Attendance.

• Quality of the final product of assigned tasks.

• Response to directions and constructive criticism.

The BCOA and BCJA cadet’s assigned Company Commander (BCOA/BCJA instructor) shall prepare the first written probationary report, upon successful completion of the Academy. BPAA supervisory staff will complete the first probationary report of each BPAA student upon successful completion of the Academy.

Cadets and students may be rejected on probation for the following:

• Failing an examination and the subsequent re-test.

• Unacceptable performance, behavior, or conduct, as delineated by Academy or departmental policies and procedures.

• Missing mandatory instruction, as defined by Academy or POST requirements.

OTPD staff will initiate rejection on probation actions for BCOA and BCJA cadets.  The hiring authority for BPAA students will initiate rejection on probation actions.

Firearms exercises shall be conducted at a qualified range approved by the Academy Administrator.

Local institutions will be used by OTPD to familiarize cadets at the BCOA and BCJA cadets with various institutional settings.  The Cadet On-Site Institutional Training (COSIT) field practicum visits in the institutions are subject to the approval of the warden, superintendent, or designee of the hosting institution and the availability of employees.

The Deputy Director, POSEDPeace Officer Selection and Development, or designee shall ensure that the contents of this Article are accurate and current.