Peace officers.

Assembly Member Irwin's peace officer education measure establishes new degree requirements for California law enforcement personnel while creating a statewide recruitment task force. Beginning January 2031, peace officers must obtain either an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, modern policing degree, or professional policing certificate within 36 months of receiving their basic certification. The requirements exempt officers with four years of out-of-state law enforcement experience or military service, as well as those employed by the Department of State Hospitals or already serving as peace officers in California by December 2030.

The bill defines specific criteria for the modern policing degree and professional policing certificate programs. A modern policing degree requires 60 semester units or 90 quarter units from an accredited institution, while a professional policing certificate requires 16 semester units or 24 quarter units. Both programs must include coursework in communications, psychology, writing, ethics, and criminal justice. The measure allows coursework completed during military service or law enforcement training to count toward these requirements.

To support recruitment efforts, the legislation establishes a Statewide Law Enforcement Recruitment Task Force comprising representatives from sheriff's departments, municipal police agencies, the California Highway Patrol, and other law enforcement organizations. The task force will focus on identifying and recruiting candidates for law enforcement positions across the state.