Atascadero State Hospital and Allan Hancock College offer a 40 hour POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training) certified, Penal Code 832 training course. Students can attend classes at Allan Hancock College or Atascadero State Hospital. Completion of this course meets the minimum training requirement to apply for the Hospital Police Officer position in the Department of Mental Health.

Applicants for the position of Hospital Police Officer are given a pass/fail general law enforcement written exam. Applicants who pass the written exam are scheduled for an oral interview. Successful applicants are then scheduled for an extensive Peace Officer background investigation and psychological screening. Applicants must be 21 years of age and have no felony convictions.

When a Hospital Police Officer is hired, they attend two weeks of new employee hospital orientation. They receive 8 weeks of training in the Atascadero State Hospital, Forensic Law Enforcement Academy on grounds. They receive an additional 8 weeks of on the job training with a Field Training Officer. The 8 week Forensic Law Enforcement Academy is endorsed by Allan Hancock College for college credit.

For further information about the Hospital Police program, contact the Police Training Sergeant at (805) 468-3144 or 468-2315.

For information or enrollment in the PC 832 course, contact Genevieve Sweet at Allan Hancock College (805) 925-6874 or 922-6411.