Materials

SB 296: Step by Step for Management Documents

Note: Both CEOSF and CACEO recommend body armor, radio, and OC Spray as a minimum.

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• COSS Training Program: Click Here

• CEOSF Draft Assessment Memo - Click Here

• CEOSF "Just Walk Away" Article (PDF) - Click Here

• California JPIA Risk Management Article (PDF) - Click Here

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The Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation recommends the following minimum standards for all Code Enforcement Divisions and have listed additional items to be considered. All officer safety equipment can be issued with the proper training required by law and the implementation of policies and procedures.

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Officer safety recommendations from the national Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation:

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Training

• Require staff to attend the national CEOSF Code Official Safety Specialist certification program. This is a comprehensive five course certification program that includes 15 hours of officer safety training. It is completely virtual and can receive continuing education unit's for the International Code Council and state associations. Your staff can now be certified in Officer Safety.

• Allow and encourage Code Enforcement staff to attend continuing education classes on the topic of officer safety.

• Participate in required training for officer safety equipment typically through POST (i.e. pepper spray, tasers, and firearms)

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Policies & Procedures

• Adopt or update a policy and procedure manual for outlining officer safety training requirements, officer safety equipment, and officer safety incident reporting requirements. If not currently in place develop an incident reporting system to track all officer safety incidents to include, but not limited to, threats, intimidation, harassment, stalking, assault, and homicide.

• CEOSF has templates of adopted policy and procedure manuals from California agencies. They are available upon request at info@codeofficersafety.org

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Equipment

• Radios - Preferably to local Police or Sheriff Department with access to a monitored dispatch system.

• Body Armor - Level IIIa+ either concealable under the clothing or worn externally.

• OC Spray (Pepper Spray) - Typically provided by the jurisdictions Police Department with training.

• ASP Expandable - Requires POST training class, but very helpful with general self defense and animals.

• Tactical Flashlight - Important for interior inspections or work at night.

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Additional Recommendations

• Electronic Control device (i.e. Taser) - Similar to many Park Rangers, Animal Control, and CSO's. Requires law enforcement training class.

• Firearm (either concealed or not) - Per existing Penal Code 830.17, Enforcement Officers that enforce illegal dumping can be armed and have arrest powers. This option requires POST and Department firearms training and qualifications.

• Adopt additional policies to cover these items and training by using the Police Departments policies adopted to Code Enforcement if necessary.