Overview

The PC 832 Arrest and Firearms Course is the minimum training standard for California peace officers as specified in POST Regulation 1005. This certification is required for all limited function peace officers and those exercising peace officer powers in California.

Course Components

The Arrest and Firearms (PC 832) course consists of two components, which total a minimum of 64 hours.

• Arrest Component: 40-hour requirement, includes a 100-question multiple-choice written examination and several skill examinations on Arrest and Control Techniques
• Firearms Component: 24-hour requirement, includes a firearms range qualification examination

Prerequisites

• No felony convictions or restrictions on firearm ownership
• Obtain a LIVESCAN Fingerprinting Clearance
• Submit a medical clearance letter prior to the course

Training Topics Include

• Criminal Justice System
• Leadership, Professionalism & Ethics
• Laws of Arrest
• Search and Seizure
• Report Writing
• Defensive Tactics
• Firearms Safety and Qualification

Overview

Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) certification trains law enforcement officers in the safe operation of emergency vehicles during normal patrol, emergency response, and pursuit situations. This certification is mandated by California POST for all peace officers who operate emergency vehicles.

Training Components

• Minimum 40-hour initial certification course
• California Vehicle Code sections related to emergency vehicle operations
• Liability and risk management
• Vehicle dynamics and physics
• Emergency response driving techniques
• Pursuit driving considerations
• Collision avoidance maneuvers
• Night driving operations

Practical Skills Training

• Serpentine course navigation
• High-speed lane changes
• Threshold braking techniques
• Skid control and recovery
• Backing and close-quarters maneuvering
• PIT maneuver (Pursuit Intervention Technique) - if authorized
• Emergency vehicle placement at scenes

Legal Considerations

• California Vehicle Code Section 21055 - Emergency vehicle exemptions
• Due regard standard for public safety
• Agency pursuit policies
• Documentation and reporting requirements
• Civil liability considerations

Recertification

Biennial refresher training typically includes:

• 4-8 hours of updated training
• Policy review and legal updates
• Practical driving evaluation
• Review of vehicle accidents and best practices

Historical Overview

The Carotid Restraint Control Hold (also known as the "sleeper hold" or "lateral vascular neck restraint") was a technique taught to law enforcement officers as a method of subduing resistant subjects through temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain via compression of the carotid arteries.

Original Training Components

• Anatomy and physiology of carotid compression
• Proper arm placement and body positioning
• Three levels of application (restraint, control, unconscious)
• Safety considerations and medical risks
• Recovery position and monitoring
• Practical application with role players

Force Continuum Placement

When certified and authorized, this technique was positioned on the force continuum just below the use of a firearm, classified as potentially deadly force due to the risks involved.

Current Legal Status

California Assembly Bill 1196 (2020) prohibits law enforcement agencies from authorizing the use of carotid restraints.

Personal Defense Considerations

Officers who were previously certified in this technique retain the knowledge and may apply it in personal self-defense situations outside of law enforcement duties when facing imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury, subject to applicable self-defense laws.

Overview

TASER certification qualifies law enforcement officers to carry and deploy Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs) as a less-lethal force option. This certification emphasizes safety, proper deployment, and legal considerations.

Training Components

• Minimum 8-hour initial certification course
• Device operation and maintenance
• Target area and probe placement
• Neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) principles
• Voluntary exposure (recommended but not always required)
• Written examination with passing score
• Practical deployment demonstrations

Use of Force Considerations

• Force continuum placement
• Subject assessment and decision-making
• Medical considerations and excited delirium awareness
• Post-deployment procedures and probe removal
• Documentation and reporting requirements

Recertification

Annual recertification typically includes:

• 2-4 hour refresher training
• Policy review and updates
• Proficiency demonstration
• Review of deployment data and best practices

Overview

PEPPERBALL certification trains officers in the deployment of compressed air launchers that fire projectiles containing PAVA (powdered OC) irritant. This less-lethal option provides standoff capability for crowd control and individual compliance.

System Components

• Launcher operation and maintenance
• PAVA/OC irritant projectiles
• Inert training rounds
• Marking rounds for training
• Glass-breaking rounds
• Maximum effective range: 60-150 feet depending on launcher

Training Requirements

• 4-8 hour certification course
• Launcher familiarization and handling
• Accuracy qualification at various distances
• Chemical agent effects and decontamination
• Tactical deployment scenarios
• Use of force policy integration

Tactical Applications

• Area saturation for crowd dispersal
• Direct impact for pain compliance
• Barricaded subject situations
• Vehicle extractions
• Animal deterrence

Overview

OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) Gas certification, commonly known as pepper spray certification, authorizes officers to carry and deploy chemical agents derived from hot peppers as a less-lethal force option.

Chemical Properties

• Active ingredient: Oleoresin Capsicum (natural pepper extract)
• Typical concentration: 5-10% OC
• Scoville Heat Units: 2-5.3 million
• Effects: Temporary blindness, breathing difficulty, burning sensation
• Duration: 30-45 minutes typical recovery time

Training Requirements

• 4-hour minimum certification course
• Chemical agent theory and effects
• Spray patterns: stream, cone, fog, foam
• Contamination and decontamination procedures
• Direct exposure (required in most jurisdictions)
• Written and practical examinations

Deployment Considerations

• Environmental factors (wind, confined spaces)
• Cross-contamination awareness
• Multiple subject scenarios
• Medical considerations and positional asphyxia
• Decontamination: fresh air, water, time
• Documentation requirements

Recertification

Annual or biennial recertification including policy review and practical application

Overview

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification qualifies individuals to provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergency patients. EMTs are a vital part of the emergency medical services system.

Training Requirements

• Complete 120-150 hours of EMT coursework approved by the California EMS Authority
• Pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam
• Pass the NREMT psychomotor exam
• Complete CPR certification for healthcare providers

Skills & Competencies

• Patient assessment and vital signs monitoring
• Basic airway management and oxygen administration
• Trauma assessment and bleeding control
• Splinting and spinal immobilization
• Medical emergency response
• CPR and use of AED
• Emergency childbirth assistance

Renewal Requirements

California EMT certification must be renewed every 2 years through:

• 24 hours of continuing education
• Skills competency verification
• Current CPR certification

Overview

First Aid certification provides essential skills to respond to medical emergencies before professional help arrives. This training is crucial for law enforcement officers who are often first on scene.

Core Skills Covered

• Wound care and bleeding control techniques
• Burn treatment and classification
• Shock recognition and management
• Fracture and sprain immobilization
• Emergency scene safety and management
• Patient assessment and triage
• Proper use of first aid equipment

Law Enforcement Applications

• Treating injuries from vehicle accidents
• Managing wounds from violent encounters
• Stabilizing victims until EMS arrival
• Self-aid and buddy-aid techniques

Certification Requirements

Typical certification includes 8-16 hours of training with hands-on practice and written/practical examinations. Recertification is required every 2 years.

Overview

First Responder training provides advanced emergency care skills beyond basic first aid. This certification bridges the gap between basic first aid and EMT-level care, ideal for law enforcement officers.

Advanced Skills Training

• Enhanced patient assessment techniques
• Oxygen administration and airway management
• Basic airway adjuncts (OPA/NPA)
• Vital signs monitoring and interpretation
• Emergency medical communications
• Scene safety and incident command basics
• Mass casualty incident triage
• Spinal immobilization techniques

Equipment Proficiency

• Bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation
• Pulse oximetry monitoring
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Suction devices
• Basic trauma supplies

Training Duration

First Responder certification typically requires 40-60 hours of training, including classroom instruction, practical skills sessions, and clinical rotations. Annual continuing education is required.

Overview

CPR certification for healthcare providers and first responders provides life-saving skills for cardiac emergencies. This advanced level certification goes beyond basic CPR training.

Healthcare Provider CPR Components

• Adult CPR: One and two-rescuer techniques
• Child CPR: Modified compressions and ventilations
• Infant CPR: Two-finger and two-thumb encircling techniques
• AED Usage: Adult and pediatric pad placement
• Choking Relief: Conscious and unconscious victims of all ages

Advanced Techniques

• Bag-mask ventilation for all age groups
• Team-based resuscitation approaches
• Integration with emergency response systems
• High-quality CPR metrics and feedback
• Special resuscitation situations (drowning, trauma, overdose)

Certification Standards

Healthcare Provider CPR follows American Heart Association or American Red Cross guidelines. Certification requires passing written and practical skills examinations. Recertification is required every 2 years.

Overview

AED certification trains first responders in the proper use of Automated External Defibrillators during cardiac emergencies. This life-saving device can restore normal heart rhythm in cases of sudden cardiac arrest.

Training Components

• Cardiac arrest recognition and chain of survival
• AED operation for adult and pediatric patients
• Proper pad placement and safety considerations
• Integration with CPR techniques
• Troubleshooting common AED problems
• Post-resuscitation care
• Legal considerations and documentation

Practical Skills

• Scene safety assessment before AED use
• Clearing the patient before shock delivery
• Coordinating AED use with ongoing CPR
• Special situations (wet patients, medication patches, implanted devices)
• Pediatric pad usage and energy settings

Law Enforcement Applications

Police officers equipped with AEDs in patrol vehicles can provide immediate defibrillation before EMS arrival, significantly improving survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest victims in the community.

Overview

The Ambulance Internship Program provides law enforcement officers with hands-on experience in emergency medical services. This ride-along program bridges the gap between law enforcement and EMS operations.

Program Components

• Minimum 40-80 hours of ambulance ride-along time
• Direct patient care under EMT/Paramedic supervision
• Emergency scene management from EMS perspective
• Medical equipment familiarization
• Patient assessment and vital signs practice
• Medical communications and hospital protocols
• HIPAA compliance and patient confidentiality

Skills Developed

• Advanced patient assessment techniques
• Medical decision-making in the field
• Trauma and medical emergency response
• Working with EMS crews effectively
• Understanding EMS protocols and procedures
• Patient packaging and transport considerations

Benefits for Law Enforcement

• Enhanced medical response capabilities
• Better scene coordination with EMS
• Improved patient care before EMS arrival
• Understanding of medical priority dispatch
• Stronger interagency relationships

Overview

Penal Code 872(b) allows law enforcement officers to testify to hearsay statements at preliminary hearings, provided they meet specific qualifications. This certification enables officers to present evidence efficiently in court proceedings.

Legal Authority

Notwithstanding § 1200 of the Evidence Code, the finding of probable cause may be based in whole or in part upon the sworn testimony of a law enforcement officer or honorably retired law enforcement officer relating the statements of declarants made out of court offered for the truth of the matter asserted.

Qualification Requirements

To testify under PC 872(b), an officer must:

• Have either five years of law enforcement experience OR
• Have completed a training course certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training that includes training in the investigation and reporting of cases and testifying at preliminary hearings

Purpose & Application

This certification allows qualified officers to:

• Testify to hearsay statements at preliminary hearings
• Present witness statements without requiring the witness's presence
• Expedite the preliminary hearing process
• Establish probable cause more efficiently