Public employment: peace officers: citizenship.

(1) Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training within the Department of Justice to perform various functions involving the training of peace officers. Existing law requires peace officers in this state to meet specified minimum standards, including, among other requirements, being at least 18 years of age, being of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation, and being either a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship, except as prescribed. This bill would provide that those standards shall be interpreted and applied consistent with federal law and regulations, as specified. The bill would remove the provision that requires peace officers to either be a citizen of the United States or be a permanent resident who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship, and would instead require peace officers be legally authorized to work in the United States, and make conforming changes. Under existing law, the minimum education requirement for peace officers is high school graduation from a public school or other accredited high school, passing an equivalency test or high school proficiency examination, or attaining a 2-year, 4-year, or advanced degree from an accredited institution. Existing law requires accreditation to be from a state or local government educational agency, a regional accrediting association, an accrediting association recognized by the United States Department of Education, or an organization holding full membership in specified organizations, including AdvancED. This bill would revise the accreditation standards to include an organization holding full membership in Cognia. (2) Existing law establishes, within the Transportation Agency, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, under the control of the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol. Existing law, with certain exceptions, prohibits a person who is not a citizen of the United States from being appointed as a member of the California Highway Patrol. This bill would remove that prohibition, and would make conforming changes. (3) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 1031 of the Government Code proposed by AB 2229 to be operative only if this bill and AB 2229 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.