Senate Bill 978 - Training

Law Enforcement Agencies: Public Records

On September 30, 2018, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed California Senate Bill 978 (SB 978) into law. The bill went into effect on January 1, 2020 and requires each law enforcement agency to post their current standards, policies, practices, operating procedures, education, and training materials on their website.  The full text of SB 978 is available here. 

The purpose of this bill was to increase transparency and help educate the public about law enforcement policies, procedures, and training.   This page is intended to provide information about UCPD specific training; however, those interested in learning more about law enforcement training requirements are encouraged to visit the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) website. Additional information can also be obtained from the California Code of Regulations (CCR), specifically section §1005 - Minimum Standards for Training.  

Union City PD Manuals, Policies & Procedures

Education & Training Materials

Basic Police Academy

To become a police officer in the State of California, all newly hired police recruits must complete a minimum of 664 hours of training at a basic police academy. In the State of California, 42 different police academies are certified by POST. Of those 42 different police academies, the Union City Police Department has historically sent recruits to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) located in Dublin, CA, the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium – Gavilan College (SBRPSTC) campus located in San Jose, CA, and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office (SCCSO) located in Morgan Hill, CA. 

While attending the basic police academy, police recruits are tested on a large number of topics, which are commonly referred to as Learning Domain’s (LD’s). Overall, the academy is made up of 41 learning domains which include, but are not limited to: criminal law, patrol procedures, cultural diversity, investigative procedures, report writing, defensive tactics, firearms, leadership, ethics, community relations, police vehicle operations, traffic enforcement, accident investigation, and first aid. The specific LD’s and hourly breakdown can be found here. To graduate from the academy, police recruits must attend a minimum number of hours and they must pass three Regular Basic Academy (RBC) comprehensive tests, and multiple scenario-based tests. 

Community members are encouraged to visit the police academy websites to learn more about the curriculum taught to Union City Police Department recruits. 

Alameda County Sheriff’s Office

South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium

Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office

Crisis Intervention/Mental Health Training (CIT)

While attending the police academy, recruits are taught a wide-range of topics in LD 37 – People with Disabilities. Exposure to information regarding individuals with developmental disabilities, neurological disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and communication barriers are all covered over a 15-hour period. As of October 3, 2015, Senate Bill 29 (SB 29) mandated, per Penal Code 13515.29(a), that 4 hours of crisis intervention behavioral health training be added to the Field Training Officer certification course. SB 29 further required, pursuant to PC 13515.295, that the Field Training Program (FTP) develop additional training to help educate new police recruits on issues related to mental health. As a department, we have also made it our goal to send all sworn employees, upon completion of the field training program, to crisis intervention training. 

In Alameda County, the Oakland Police Department in collaboration with Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, provides monthly 40-hour courses on crisis intervention training and the resources available to agencies and individuals in the county that our officers attend upon completion of the field training program. Topics covered in the course include an overview of mental illnesses, prescriptions related to psychological disorders, patient rights, cultural responsiveness, homelessness, suicidal assessments, and crisis de-escalation. Additionally, site trips to John George Psychiatric Hospital, Willow Rock Center, and Cherry Hill Detoxification Services Program are performed to allow officers to gain a perspective from the eyes of mental health patients. 

For further information on the crisis intervention training hosted by the Oakland Police Department, please click here. For information on crisis intervention team development, please click here.

In collaboration with our local community health providers, throughout the year our department hosts various organizations who specialize in providing resources for those experiencing a mental health crisis. These organizations include Falck’s Community Assessment & Transport Team (CATT) and Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Mobile Crisis team. 

Continued Professional Training (CPT)

POST requires that all law enforcement officers complete continual professional training (CPT) on a biennial basis.  This training includes a Perishable Skills Program (PSP) which includes psychomotor, communication, and use of force training.  The PSP training is separated into five different categories:

  1. Category I – Tactical Firearms (4 hour minimum)
  2. Category II – Driver Training/Awareness (4 hour minimum)
  3. Category III – Arrest & Control (4 hour minimum)
  4. Category IV – Strategic Communications (2 hour minimum)
  5. Category V – Use of Force (4 hour minimum)

For more detailed information, you can view the POST Commission Regulation requirements. 

To find detailed information on all legislatively mandated training, please click here. 

To find all POST-certified law enforcement courses actively being taught in California, you can search the POST Course Catalog here. To find the course outline of all POST-certified courses, click here. 

As a department, we strive to exceed the minimum requirements by participating in tactical firearms and arrest & control training on annual, not biennial basis.  Additionally, our department seeks out relevant, contemporary training to ensure department members can provide the highest degree of service to those we serve.  

Our department strives to and strongly advocates for the continual development of our employees. A component of their development involves the receiving of additional training that is not a POST requirement and is specific to our department. In addition to internal training opportunities, employees are oftentimes sent to courses taught by other agencies or private companies. The below documents include internal and miscellaneous training.

Training Documents 2022

Training Documents 2023