SUBJECT
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SHERIFF - REQUEST TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE A REVENUE AGREEMENT WITH THE COMMISSION ON PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS COURSE TRAINING SERVICES (DISTRICTS: ALL)
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OVERVIEW
In California, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) is crucial for maintaining high standards in law enforcement. POST establishes selection and training standards for peace officers, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, ethics, and attitudes to serve their communities effectively. This includes developing and updating job-related selection standards, providing access to relevant training, and fostering healthy organizational environments through leadership development programs. The San Diego Sheriff's Office (SDSO), on behalf of POST, will start providing driver training for regional law enforcement at its Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (EVOC). The EVOC in East Otay Mesa gives SDSO and other regional law enforcement agencies a dedicated facility in San Diego County to provide driver training to recruits and required biennial in-service driver training for existing peace officers. To take over EVOC training, SDSO must enter into a POST Driver Training contract for the period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. This contract was previously held by the San Diego Police Department, and both agencies agreed to rotate this responsibility every two years. POST reimburses the core agency for the training of peace officers.
Today's action requests the Board to approve and authorize the Clerk of the Board to execute, upon receipt, a revenue agreement between the County of San Diego through the Sheriff's Office, and Commission on POST, for Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Training Services for the period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. It also requests the waiver of Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, and Revenue Contracts Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery which requires prior approval of the submission of grants and revenue applications requirement of docketing Revenue Contracts with the Board at least 60 days prior to effective date of the contract. Negotiations between SDSO and POST were not concluded in time to meet the 60-day requirement.
RECOMMENDATIONS
SHERIFF
1. Approve and authorize the Clerk of the Board to execute and ratify, upon receipt, the revenue agreement between the County of San Diego, through the Sheriff's Office, and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training for Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Training Services for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
2. Authorize the Sheriff, or designee, to execute all required contract documents, including mid-year service level changes, extensions, amendments and/or revisions that do not materially impact the program or funding level.
3. Waive Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department responsibility for Cost Recovery that requires docketing Revenue Contracts with the Board at least 60 days prior to effective date of the contract.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Placing knowledgeable instructors at the Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (EVOC), a state-of-the-art training space, supports the County of San Diego’s equity goals. Governments have a responsibility to ensure that first responders, public safety personnel, and county personnel with driving responsibilities are provided training in emergency vehicle and specialized response vehicle operations, not only for quality delivery of public safety services, but also to limit risk and liability. Having adequate levels of driving training is imperative. Understanding concepts like threshold braking, understeer, oversteer and turn apexes is best learned in-depth and context with practical training. This will ensure that safety services which aim to protect human life and the security of individuals in San Diego communities, continue to be delivered with increased driving expertise and safety.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (EVOC) provides the necessary space and terrain required for the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Training in terms of driving ability, and defensive driving expertise which is crucial for law enforcement officers. Driving is one of the main activities that law enforcement officers do while providing policing for our communities. Taking over the contract with POST allows for the cost recovery of expenses to maintain, operate, and manage the course, most of which have been paid for by the Sheriff's Office since EVOC was opened. The upkeep of EVOC operations is critical for public safety and first responder agencies, so that they can train personnel in emergency vehicle operations.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are not included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operational Plan for the Sheriff's Office. If approved, this request will result in current year costs and revenue up to $540,000 to offset facility maintenance and operational costs. Facility maintenance, operational, and equipment costs for the second year of the contract are estimated at $540,000 and will be included in the Fiscal Years 2026-27 Operational Plan for the Sheriff’s Office. The funding source is revenue from Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no increase in staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
The Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) in East Otay Mesa gives the San Diego Sheriff’s Office and other regional law enforcement agencies a dedicated facility in San Diego County to provide driver training to recruits and required biennial in-service driver training for existing peace officers. Other public entities such as San Diego County Department of Public Works and County Fire also receive driver training at the EVOC.
The San Diego Sheriff's Office (SDSO) EVOC was certified for training in March 2022 by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Since certification, the EVOC facility has been an integral part of emergency vehicle operation training for regional partners and various agencies across the state. In 2024, the EVOC unit completed 84 classes and trained over 488 peace officers totaling 13,792 training hours. In addition, the EVOC facility trained fourteen law enforcement regional academies, eleven Standard and Training for Corrections (STC) academies, and three probation academies.
Over the past several years, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) has been the EVOC core for training the law enforcement regional academies utilizing the EVOC facility, and POST reimbursement for academy training was distributed to SDPD as the POST EVOC contract holder. The San Diego Sheriff's Office will be taking over EVOC core, and the associated POST Driver Training contract for the period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. SDPD and SDSO agreed to rotate this responsibility every two years.
SDSO proactively worked with SDPD and POST for contract authorization. If approved, POST reimbursable funding would offset facility maintenance, operational costs, and align the County’s available resources with services to maintain fiscal stability and ensure long-term solvency. Maintaining the roadway standards at EVOC is critical for a safe driver training environment. Obtaining the POST contract will provide access to additional funds to compensate EVOC related expenses.
Today’s item requests the approval and authorization to execute a revenue agreement for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. It also requests ratification and a waiver of Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, and Revenue Contracts Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery which requires prior approval of the submission of grants and revenue applications requirement of docketing Revenue Contracts with the Board at least 60 days prior to effective date of the contract. Negotiations between SDSO and POST were not concluded in time to meet the 60-day requirement.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today's proposed actions support the County's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan Initiatives of Empower and Community by investing in our workforce and operations at the Sheriff's Emergency Vehicle Operation Course (EVOC) and ensuring that County first responders and public safety personnel are able to safely and expertly drive in response to an emergency or call for service. The Sheriff's Office training services and use of the valuable resource of EVOC will benefit the region.
Respectfully submitted,
KELLY A. MARTINEZ
Sheriff
ATTACHMENT(S)
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