The Costs Of AB 2504
It’s sad to think that any law enforcement organization would oppose training for law enforcement that would make the profession better for its own members as well as for what it provides to the public. It’s even worse to think an organization of law enforcement executives would take such a stance, but the California Sheriff’s Association has done just that and said they oppose AB 2504 because of how much it costs. Their position is misinformed and inaccurate.
The following are facts in response to those who claim the costs out weigh the worth.
- AB 2504 addresses unlawful workplace harassment and discrimination. Millions of taxpayer dollars are spent every year settling litigation arising from incidents in the law enforcement workplace (UCLA Williams Institute). As a result, law enforcement loses talented and experienced personnel. Replacing these employees costs local agencies time and money. AB 2504 will save tax payer money spent on all of these losses
- AB 2504 does not duplicate existing law. Section 13519.4 PC addresses racial profiling. The legislative intent of that section was to train law enforcement on how to avoid racial profiling. The California POST curriculum focuses on the 4thand 14thAmendment and on race. There is no mention of sexual orientation or gender identity.
- The training required by this bill for entry-level recruits can be incorporated into the existing hours required for the basic law enforcement academy in learning domain 25 (domestic violence) and 42 (cultural diversity) requiring no additional expense for basic training providers.
- A training course for peace officers and dispatchers meeting the requirements of AB 2504 has already been developed and was certified by California POST on April 16, 2018.
- An online training course for peace officers and dispatchers meeting the requirements of AB 2504 was developed in 2016 by Out to Protect, a California non-profit organization.This course is already being used by law enforcement agencies around the United States. They will provide this course to California POST at no cost.
- In-service peace officers and dispatchers could complete the above mentioned online training while on duty at no additional cost to the agency or California POST.
- AB 2504 makes no requirements for a minimum or maximum length of the required training for in-service peace officers and dispatchers. Subject matter experts believe it can be delivered in a little as 2 hours.
- California peace officers and dispatchers are already required to complete on-going in-service training. The topics required by AB 2504 can easily be incorporated into existing in-service training hours over the time period allowed by the Bill. AB 2504 provides an opportunity to efficiently update California peace officers and dispatchers on laws related to domestic violence and hate crimes while meeting the requirements of this Bill.
- Subject matter experts have identified and already committed to volunteering their time to work with California POST to implement AB 2504.
- The California Community College system, as part of its mission, currently uses credit and non-credit apportionment to fund training for law enforcement in California. Funds exist to pay for classes to meet the requirements of AB 2504. AB 2504 actually benefits California Community Colleges.
- The Napa Valley College Criminal Justice Training Center, a California POST training academy, has already committed to providing the training as well as training materials for California law enforcement to use in order to meet the requirements of AB 2504. They have a commitment of funding to provide this training.
Assembly Bill 2504 heads next to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. If you believe in this bill, we encourage you to write to committee members and encourage them to support the bill. Share these facts about the costs. The bottom line is that we cannot afford not to provide this training.