Policies and Training Materials (SB978)

Beginning January 1, 2020, Senate Bill 978 requires local law enforcement agencies and Commission of Peace Officer Standards and Training (“POST”) to post on their Internet websites all current standards, policies, practices, operating procedures, and education and training materials that would otherwise be available to the public through a California Public Records Act (“CPRA”) request.

The Legislature declared that making this information available online and easily accessible to the public helps educate the public about law enforcement policies, practices, and procedures and is intended to increase communication and community trust while saving on costs and labor associated with responding to individual CPRA requests for this information.

The Sierra Madre Police Department (SMPD) policy is current as of the date indicated. The SMPD policy manual is guided by Lexipol, which is based on constitutional law and a “best practice” philosophy.  Lexipol is the industry standard for law enforcement policy management and used by the majority of California law enforcement agencies.  This policy is a living document subject to constant change.  These changes are dictated by new laws, court decisions, city policy modifications, new methodologies and other factors.  As changes occur, the policy is reviewed and modified.  The most current policies will be posted on our website in a timely manner.