A new California law taking effect on January 1, 2019, requires police officers to undergo training on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Assembly Bill 2504 is intended to ensure that California’s police officers have the necessary training and skills to deal effectively with LGBTQ individuals in the communities where they work.
The law requires the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to develop a course on sexual orientation and gender identity groups. The training must include information on:
- Understanding the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity;
- Knowing the words used to identify and describe both sexual orientation and gender identity;
- How to create an inclusive workplace within law enforcement for LGBTQ individuals;
- Important milestones in history relating to sexual orientation and gender identity minorities and law enforcement; and
- Ways law enforcement can effectively respond to domestic violence and hate crimes involving sexual orientation and gender identity minorities.
Existing laws already require law enforcement officers to undergo training on racial and cultural differences as well as disability awareness training. The new law requires additional training for all officers.
For more information on new California laws, see the December 10 issue of California Employment Law Letter.
Marianne Koepf is an attorney with Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP in San Francisco, California. She can be reached at mkoepf@cdflaborlaw.com.