PC 832 Laws of Arrest
Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 1 - L EADERSHIP, P ROFESSIONALISM & E THICS
I Peace officers are expected to be leaders in the community, in their agencies, and
among peers. To be effective, officers must understand the components of
leadership, their responsibility to lead, and the impact of their leadership.
A Discuss why leadership is important
B Define leadership
C Discuss universal components of leadership
D Discuss the officer as a leader
E Discuss the leader as a follower
F Discuss how leadership impacts the daily work of a peace officer and how officers can
recognize the results.
II Peace officers are empowered and entrusted by the community with a broad range
of power, authority and discretion to maintain safety and order. Professional and
ethical standards are the means by which peace officers maintain the public trust.
To be effective, a peace officer must make a life-long commitment to these
standards.
A Discuss the relationship between public trust and a peace officer’s ability
to perform their job
B Discuss the community, agency, and other peace officers’ expectations of
a peace officer’s conduct
C Explain the benefits of professional and ethical behavior to the
community, agency and peace officer
D Describe the consequences of unprofessional/unethical conduct to the
community, agency, and peace officer.
E Discuss the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and explain the importance
of adhering to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
F Explain why an officer should respond to a coworker’s unprofessional or
unethical conduct, including the legal basis for such interventions
G Discuss the situations when it is necessary to intervene on another peace
officer’s behalf and factors that can inhibit intervention
H Describe the types and levels of intervention used to prevent another peace
officer’s inappropriate behavior
I Give examples of ethical decision making strategies
J Explain the value of ethical decision making in leadership
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 2 - C RIMINAL J USTICE S YSTEM
I To be effective leaders, peace officers must be aware of the constitutional rights of
all individuals within the United States, regardless of citizenship status, and the
role of the criminal justice system has in protecting those rights.
A Identify the freedoms and rights afforded to individuals under the U.S.
Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and later amendments
B Identify how the U.S. Constitution amendments apply to the actions and
conduct of peace officers
C Discuss the components and primary goals of the criminal justice system
II Peace officers must realize that law enforcement is not solely the function of
police and sheriff agencies. There are many other federal, state, and local law
enforcement agencies that are part of the criminal justice system.
A List the primary federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies within
the criminal justice system
III Peace officers must understand the judicial component of the criminal justice
system because much of their work results in cases that go to court.
A Discuss the objectives of the Judicial component of the criminal justice
system
B Discuss the organization of the California court system, including
positions commonly recognized as part of the judicial system
C Discuss the judicial process in criminal cases
IV Peace Officers should recognize that the California Youth and Adult Correctional
Agency (YACA) is a component of the criminal justice system. Officers must
also be familiar with the differences between parole and probation conditions, and
their role in the enforcement of those conditions.
A Discuss the objectives and responsibilities of the correction’s component
of the criminal justice system
V Required Tests
A The POST-Constructed PC 832 Arrest Written Test will include learning
objectives in Domain #2
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 3 - P OLICING THE C OMMUNITY
I Peace officers need to know that their role in the community is to work in
partnership with community members to resolve or reduce problems for the
benefit of those who live and work there.
A Identify peace officer responsibilities in the community, including:
A Differentiate between proactive and reactive policing
B Recognize peace officers’ responsibilities to enforce the law, including:
C Identify the elements of area/beat knowledge including:
D Discuss current and emerging issues that can impact the delivery of
services by peace officers
E Discuss opportunities where peace officers educate and learn from
community members
II Peace officers need to understand that community partnerships provide
opportunities to effect greater change than could be accomplished by any one
group alone.
A Define community partnerships
B Discuss the key elements for developing trust between community
partners, including:
C Discuss relationship of ethics to the badge of office
D Discuss leadership skills in community policing
E Define communication
F Recognize the components of a message in communications with others,
including:
G Recognize the potential effects of negative nonverbal signals
H Give examples of effective communication techniques for:
III Peace officers need to recognize that effective problem solving is a process that
identifies and addresses the underlying conditions of crime and disorder in the
community
A Identify the steps of the SARA Model
B Apply the SARA Model
IV Required Tests
A The POST-Constructed PC 832 Arrest Written Test will include learning
objectives in Domain #03.
V Required Learning Activities
A The student will participate in a learning activity that will reinforce an
understanding of the steps involved applying the SARA model, including:
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 5 - I NTRODUCTION TO C RIMINAL L AW
I Peace officers must know the origins of current law to know the role of law
enforcement today.
A Identify the relationship among:
II Peace officers must know the nuances of the written law to correctly interpret the
law.
A Differentiate between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law
B Differentiate between criminal and civil law
III To enforce the law, peace officers must know what constitutes a crime and the
information required to identify that a crime has occurred
A Recall the statutory definition of a crime
B Identify the basic elements common to all crimes
C Discuss general, specific and transferred intent crimes
D Differentiate between criminal intent and criminal negligence
IV To arrest a subject, peace officers must determine what type of crime has been
committed, who was involved in the commission of the crime, and who cannot be
criminally liable.
A Identify three classes of crime:
B Differentiate among the three parties in a crime, to include:
C Identify people legally incapable of committing a crime
V Required Tests
A The PC 832 Arrest Written test will include learning objectives in Domain
#05.
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 15 - L AWS OF A RREST
I Peace officers must have an understanding of the amendments to the U.S.
Constitution, and similar sections of the California Constitution that are related to
the authority, liability, and responsibility they have in making arrests.
A Recognize a peace officer’s role in relation to the protections and rights
included in the following amendments to the U.S. Constitution and related
California Constitution sections:
B Recognize peace officer’s role in relation to the protections included under
federal civil rights statutes.
II Peace officers must recognize that a consensual encounter is a face-to-face
contact with a private person that they can not exert authority, and the person
reasonably believes they can leave or not cooperate at any time.
A Recognize appropriate conduct during a consensual encounter
B Recognize conduct that may elevate a consensual encounter
C Recognize the consequences of elevating a consensual encounter
III To execute the appropriate actions, peace officers must recognize that a temporary
detention is an assertion of authority that is less than an arrest but more substantial
than a consensual encounter.
A Differentiate between a detention and a consensual encounter
B Recognize reasonable suspicion
C Recognize appropriate peace officer actions during a detention
D Recognize the scope and conditions for warrantless searches and seizures
during a detention
E Recognize conditions where the use of force or physical restraint is
appropriate during a detention
IV Peace officers must know and comply with the statutory rules of arrest in order to
properly exercise their authority and responsibility, and to avoid potential liability
when making arrests.
A Recognize when there is probable cause to arrest
B Identify elements of a lawful arrest
C Differentiate between arrest and detention
D Recognize information that must be given to an arrested person
E Recognize elements of a warrantless arrest for a misdemeanor
F Recognize elements of a warrantless arrest for a felony
G Recognize elements of a warrant arrest
H Recognize the requirements for entry to make an arrest
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
I Recognize the authority for a private person arrest and the peace officer’s
duty in response to a private person arrest
J Recognize conditions under which the use of force or physical restraint is
appropriate during an arrest
K Recognize the statutory requirements for the disposition of an arrested
person
L Recognize the exception to the powers to arrest
V When interrogating a suspect who is in custody, peace officers must follow
Miranda procedures to ensure that any answers they obtain will be admissible in
court.
A Identify the purpose of the Miranda warning
B Recognize when Miranda warnings must be given
C Identify the proper administration of Miranda warnings
D Recognize the impact of invoking either the right to remain silent or the
right to counsel
E Recognize the types of Miranda waivers
F Recognize the exception to the Miranda rule
VI To develop admissible evidence while ensuring the constitutional rights of all
individuals, peace officers must be aware of and correctly follow standardized
practices for conducting crime scene interviews and interrogations.
A Differentiate between an interview and interrogation
B Differentiate between an admission and confession
VII Required Tests
A The POST-Constructed PC 832 Arrest Written Test will include learning
objectives in Domain #15.
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 16 - S EARCH & S EIZURE
I Peace officers must have a clear understanding of their authority, responsibility,
and potential for liability in the areas of search and seizure law, as well as the
protections provided by constitutional law, statutory law, and case law against
unreasonable searches and seizures.
A Recognize constitutional protections guaranteed by the Fourth
Amendment
B Identify the concept of reasonable expectation of privacy
C Recognize standing and how it applies to an expectation of privacy
D Recognize probable cause to search and its link between Fourth
Amendment protections and search and seizure law
II Although warrantless searches and seizures are presumptively illegal, when
certain conditions are met, officers may lawfully search and seize evidence
without a search warrant. For evidence to be admissible at trial, officers must
have a clear understanding of the legal requirements for those conditions.
A Recognize the conditions and circumstances where warrantless searches
and seizures are considered reasonable and legal
B Recognize the scope and necessary conditions for conducting the
following types of warrantless searches:
III The Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches and seizures
extends to a person’s vehicle and property inside the vehicle. However, the courts
have created several exceptions to the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirement
because of a motor vehicle’s potential mobility and reduced expectation of
privacy.
A Recognize the scope and necessary conditions for conducting the
following types of motor vehicle searches:
1 Vehicle inventories
IV Peace officers must recognize when a search or the seizure of evidence involves
intrusion into a subject’s body, special care must be taken to balance the
subject’s reasonable expectation of privacy under the Fourth Amendment against
the government’s need to collect evidence.
A Recognize the legal framework establishing a peace officer’s authority to
seize physical evidence from a subject’s body:
B Recognize conditions under which a peace officer may use reasonable
force to prevent a subject from swallowing or attempting to swallow
evidence
C Recognize the conditions necessary for legally obtaining blood samples
D Recognize the conditions for legally obtaining the following nonintrusive
bodily evidence:
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
V Required Tests
A The POST-Constructed PC 832 Arrest Written Test will include learning
objectives in Domain #16.
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 17 - P RESENTATION OF E VIDENCE
I Peace officers must know the criteria for admitting and excluding evidence to
ensure evidence is identified, collected, and tracked in a legal manner that will be
accepted in court.
A Recognize circumstances which may cause evidence to be excluded
B Recognize a peace officer’s role in ensuring the admissibility of evidence
II Peace officers need to take thorough and reliable witness reports.
A Recognize the requirements and exceptions for admitting hearsay evidence
for:
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 18 - I NVESTIGATIVE R EPORT W RITING
I A peace officer’s ability to clearly document the facts and activities of an
investigation not only reflects on the officer’s own professionalism, but also on
the ability of the justice system to prosecute the criminal case.
A Explain the legal basis for requiring investigative reports
II Peace officers must recognize that the information gathered during their initial
investigation in the field will become the foundation for their investigative
reports.
A Discuss the importance of taking notes in preparation for writing reports
B Apply appropriate actions for taking notes during a field interview
III Peace officers must recognize in order for an investigative report to be of use in
the judicial process, the report must be well organized, and include facts needed
to establish that a crime has been committed and all actions taken by officers
were appropriate.
A Summarize the primary questions that must be answered by an
investigative report
B Identify the fundamental content elements in investigative reports,
including:
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 20 - U SE OF F ORCE
I Peace officers must recognize that they have the authority to use reasonable force
to affect an arrest, to prevent escape, or to overcome resistance as authorized by
the California Penal Code. For their safety, and for the safety and well-being of
fellow officers, it is critical that peace officers know the laws governing the use of
force.
A Discuss reasonable force as stated by law
B Discuss the components of the Fourth Amendment
C Explain the legal framework establishing a peace officer’s authority
during a legal arrest, including:
D Identify the circumstances set forth in the California Penal Code when a
peace officer has the authority use force
E Discuss the level of authority agency policies have regarding the use of
force by a peace officer
II Peace officers must recognize that they have a range of force options available to
them. However, in all cases the use of force must be reasonable compared to the
threat, resistance, and other circumstances known to the officer at the time the
force was used.
A Define the term “force option”
B Identify that the objective of using force is to overcome resistance to gain
control of an individual and the situation
C Recognize force options and the amount of force peace officers may use
based on the subject’s resistance
III Peace officers must fully comprehend their authority, responsibility, and liability
regarding the use of deadly force as authorized by law.
A Identify the legal standard for the use of deadly force
B Identify the factors required to establish sufficiency of fear for the use of
deadly force
C Recognize facts an officer should consider when determining whether or
not to use deadly force
D Discuss the role of agency policies regarding the use of deadly force
E Recognize the law regarding justifiable homicide by a public officer and
the circumstances under which the homicide is considered justifiable
IV Peace officers must be ready to, and capable of, safely taking control of a
dangerous situation.
A Discuss factors that can affect a peace officer’s response when threatened
with danger, to include:
B Give examples of acceptable techniques for managing anger
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
V Required Tests
A The POST-Constructed PC 832 Arrest Written Test will include learning
objectives in Domain #20.
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 30 - P RELIMINARY I NVESTIGATION
I Peace officers must have a general understanding of the total range of basic
criminal investigation procedures in order to make the appropriate decisions
regarding the identification and preservation of evidence at the scene of a crime.
A Identify the goal of a criminal investigation
B Perform the steps of a preliminary criminal investigation, including:
C Identify the primary purpose of conducting a:
D Identify criteria for allowing crime scene photographs to be admitted as
evidence by the court
II Peace officers must be aware of and comply with the general guidelines for the
collection, packaging, and processing of physical evidence found at a crime scene
to ensure that each piece of evidence is admissible in a court of law.
A Prepare the information that should be noted on a chain of custody record
B Identify the three forms of fingerprint impressions that may be found at a
crime scene
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 33 - A RREST M ETHODS/D EFENSIVE T ACTICS
I For their own safety and the safety of others, peace officers must maintain
awareness and respond appropriately when confronted by a potential hazard or
threat.
A Demonstrate principles of defensive tactics, to include:
B Describe parts of an officer’s body that are most vulnerable to serious
injury
C Describe parts of an officer’s body that may be used as personal weapons
for self defense or to overcome resistance by a subject
II Conducting a person search can be dangerous for peace officers. A peace
officer’s actions and reactions in these situations should always allow for a
margin of safety while maintaining a position of advantage.
A Explain factors to consider when approaching a subject and conducting a
plain view search
B Demonstrate an approach to safely and effectively conduct a person search
C Discuss locations where weapons and/or contraband can be concealed on a
subject’s body
D Explain agency considerations and restrictions that may be common
regarding a search of a person of the opposite sex
E Explain cover officer responsibilities
F Demonstrate cover officer responsibilities during a search of a subject
III Peace officers must be ready and physically capable of taking control of a subject
and to justify their actions if the subject refuses to follow verbal commands,
physically resists, or attempts to attack the peace officer during a detention or
arrest situation.
A Discuss a peace officer’s justification to use controlling force on a subject
B Explain advantages and limitations a peace officer should consider when
applying a control hold
C Explain advantages and limitations a peace officer should consider when
performing a takedown technique
IV The application of a restraint device (i.e., handcuffs, plastic flex cuffs, leg
restraint devices, full body restraints) on a subject can be a difficult and
potentially dangerous task for a peace officer. Peace officers must be proficient in
the use of proper methods to ensure their safety and the safety of the subjects.
A Explain the purpose of using restraint devices on a subject
B Explain potential hazards when using handcuffs as a restraint device
C Demonstrate the correct positioning of handcuffs on a subject
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
D Discuss responsibilities of the contact and cover officers when
handcuffing multiple subjects
V Peace officers must maintain control of their firearm(s) and when appropriate, be
physically capable of disarming a subject.
A Describe factors involved in retaining a peace officer’s firearm
B Demonstrate the basic techniques for peace officers to safely maintain
control of their firearm in a physical conflict
C Discuss a peace officer’s tactical considerations when confronted by an
armed subject
D Discuss tactical considerations when disarming a subject
E Discuss a peace officer’s justification to retain their firearm or disarm a
subject
VI When transporting a prisoner, peace officers must recognize that the
unpredictable nature of prisoners can create a serious threat. Officers must be
aware of safety hazards and appropriate transporting procedures to ensure their
safety and the safety of the prisoner.
A Describe common transporting procedures that maximize officer safety
and prevent prisoner escape
B Describe the safe and secure positioning of a prisoner in an officer’s
vehicle
VII Required Tests
A An exercise test that evaluates the student’s ability to safely and
effectively conduct the following types of searches:
B An exercise test that evaluates the student’s ability to demonstrate safe and
effective handcuffing procedures to minimally include:
C An exercise test that evaluates the student’s ability to demonstrate the
mechanics of a control hold(s) to minimally include:
D An exercise test that evaluates the student’s ability to demonstrate the
mechanics of a takedown technique(s) to minimally include:
VIII Required Learning Activities
A Student will participate in learning activity that will reinforce the student’s
ability to demonstrate the role of a cover officer during a field contact to
include:
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 39 - C RIMES A GAINST THE J USTICE S YSTEM
I Arrest and successful prosecution depend on the development of probable cause.
Peace officers must know the elements required to arrest for crimes that
obstruct law enforcement in their duties and to correctly categorize these
crimes as misdemeanors or felonies.
A Recognize the crime elements required to arrest for:
B Recognize the crime classification as a misdemeanor or felony.
II Arrest and successful prosecution depend on the development of probable cause.
Peace officers must know the elements required to arrest for crimes related to
false information and to correctly categorize these crimes as misdemeanors or
felonies.
A Recognize the crime elements, required to arrest for:
B Recognize the crime classification as a misdemeanor or felony.
III Required tests
A The POST-Constructed PC 832 Arrest Written Test will include learning
objectives in Domain #39
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Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Laws of Arrest (PC 832) Course Outline
L EARNING D OMAIN # 42 - C ULTURAL D IVERSITY/D ISCRIMINATION
I Peace officers need to recognize and respect the complexities of cultural diversity
to develop skills necessary for identifying and responding to California’s
changing communities.
A Describe personal, professional and organizational benefits of valuing
diversity within the community and law enforcement organizations.
II Peace officers need to become aware of stereotyping that could lead to prejudicial
viewpoints and unlawful acts of discrimination.
A Discuss the dangers of relying on stereotypes to form judgments or to
determine actions
B Define the term prejudice
C Define the term discrimination
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