The 2025 Peace Officer Standards and Accountability Division (POSAD) Annual Report offers California peace officers and their labor organizations a clear window into the ongoing implementation of Senate Bill 2's decertification framework. Released by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), this comprehensive document details the volume of misconduct allegations processed, the outcomes of reviews, and the practical realities of certification actions since the program's expansion in 2023. For unions and their members, the report underscores both the challenges of heightened scrutiny and the relatively low rate of ultimate certification loss, while highlighting areas where proactive steps can help safeguard careers.
POST now holds authority to investigate and act on nine categories of serious misconduct, ranging from dishonesty and physical abuse to sexual assault, bias demonstration, and failure to intercede. The report reveals that since inception, POST has received nearly 42,000 reports of alleged serious misconduct from agencies, including about 18,000 retroactive or "lookback" cases covering incidents from early 2020 through early 2023. Public complaints have also surged, exceeding 3,000 submissions involving more than 1,700 officers.
A significant portion of these case involve retroactive reporting. Of the roughly 17,900 lookback allegations consolidated into unique cases, POST closed more than 15,500 by the end of 2025. Authority for retroactive action remains limited to three categories: dishonesty, sexual assault, and excessive deadly force causing death or serious injury. In total, 203 cases resulted in revocation, suspension, or ineligibility findings, though many fell outside those narrow retroactive grounds.
The Peace Officer Standards and Accountability Division currently manages over 7,100 open cases, with around 3,500 under POST investigation and nearly 9,000 still pending agency-level internal affairs completion. Among closed cases where agencies completed investigations and POST conducted independent review, more than two-thirds were initially reported as not sustained, exonerated, or unfounded. POST notes minimal discrepancy between agency findings of non-sustained allegations and its own conclusions. This is expected given the higher clear and convincing standard applied to decertification cases, as opposed to the preonderance of the evidence standard typically applied in dsiciplinary matters. Sustained findings from agencies appear in about 24 percent of pending POST cases, marking them as priorities for deeper scrutiny.
Public complaints show even lower rates of severe outcomes. Roughly 41 percent of public submissions have closed, with about 85 percent of those determined not to involve serious misconduct. Non-jurisdictional or non-actionable matters account for most of the remainder, and only around 1 percent of closed public complaints led to certification action. Overall, public complaints have triggered certification consequences in just 0.4 percent of instances.
The advisory board and commission review process remains deliberate. By late 2025, the board held seven hearings on 22 cases, recommending suspension or revocation in all but two, with the commission generally upholding disciplinary recommendations. Appeals from officers have declined, dropping to 31 percent of notices sent, compared to higher rates in earlier years. Cases involving DUI violations under the "acts that violate the law" category often see higher appeal rates and more frequent stipulated settlements, allowing officers to retain certification under probationary terms with monitoring and rehabilitation requirements.
These statistics reflect a system still processing a massive initial influx while closing cases at an increasing pace. The vast majority of allegations do not result in decertification, yet the potential consequences remain serious for those that meet the clear and convincing evidence threshold in defined serious misconduct categories.
For peace officers and their unions, the report carries important practical lessons. Thorough documentation during incidents, prompt cooperation with agency investigations, and adherence to departmental policies remain essential to reducing exposure. Officers facing allegations should engage experienced representation early to navigate agency inquiries and any subsequent POST proceedings. Unions play a vital role in educating members about reporting obligations, ensuring fair investigations, and advocating during appeals or stipulated resolutions.
The low overall rate of certification revocation demonstrates that the process, while rigorous, does not automatically equate to career-ending outcomes in most instances. Nevertheless, the continued volume of reports and public complaints signals that scrutiny will persist. Staying informed about POST guidelines, participating in ongoing training, and fostering strong union support networks help mitigate risks and protect the rights of those who protect us all.
