Policy & Training Materials
The Police Department’s training and policy materials ensure that all officers respond to situations in a standard way, following industry best practices.
Read the Berkeley Police Department’s training and policy materials below. The Police Department is required to post these documents publicly to comply with Senate Bill 978.
Police Department Training
Before starting their career as a Police Officer for the City of Berkeley, our officers must attend a Basic Training Academy that has been approved by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Although an officer may attend any POST approved Basic Training Academy before joining the Berkeley Police Department, the Berkeley Police Department sends many of its recruits to the below Basic Training Academies:
- Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Academy Training Center
- Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Academy Training Center
- Sacramento Police Academy
- Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Justice Training Center
After graduating from the academy, our officers participate in a field training program that lasts 18 or more weeks—where they must demonstrate to Field Training Officer (FTO) who supervises them in the field that they have the ability to safely provide public safety service to our community.
Once an officer has completed their field training program, their training will continue through quarterly, annual or biennial Department trainings. In addition to this, officers may attend advanced training courses to provide specialized training for unique assignments.
Police Department Policies
The Police Department’s policies outline the steps that officers will follow in response to different types of incidents. The Berkeley Police Department is in the process of transitioning from the existing general orders to policies in the Lexipol format.
You can read the general orders that are still in effect in the list below:
Police ANNUAL Reports
Learn about recent department initiatives, crime trends, mutual aid agreements, military equipment, and surveillance technology that the Police Department uses.
- 2025 MOU COMPENDIUM
- 2024 BPD ANNUAL REPORT
- 2024 Annual Military Equipment Report
- 2025 ANNUAL SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY REPORT
- In response to a community member's request for additional information under the Surveillance Technology Ordinance, the department submitted the following update:
- 2025 Surveillance Technology Ordinance Report Update
Important Policies:
- Surveillance Use Policy - Fixed ALPR
- Military Equipment policy
- Use of Force Policy
Any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding the annual reports can be directed to the Policy and Training Sergeant at either (510) 981-5974 or via e-mail to DRafferty@berkeleyca.gov.
