What is the primary goal of California POST?

The primary goal of California POST is to establish minimum selection and training standards for law enforcement agencies. This framework ensures that officers receive the necessary education and training to perform their duties effectively, which includes understanding the law, handling diverse community interactions, and applying appropriate judgment in various scenarios they may encounter in their roles.

By setting these standards, POST also helps maintain consistency across agencies in California, ensuring that all peace officers meet a baseline of competence and professionalism. Proper training not only enhances the skills of individual officers but also contributes to overall public safety and community trust in law enforcement by promoting accountability and informed practices.

While enhancing community-police relations and managing funding are important aspects of law enforcement, they are secondary to the foundational requirement that officers must be trained and qualified to uphold the law and serve the community responsibly. Similarly, creating laws for public safety falls outside the core focus of POST, which is centered on the training and certification processes for law enforcement personnel.