BRIAN R. MARVEL
PORAC President

Streamlining PC 830 for All Peace Officers

Imagine being on the same call as your cover officer and both of you are injured, only to discover that they receive full benefits while you’re left with a reduced benefit — simply because of a different Penal Code (PC) 830 subsection. This glaring inequity, rooted in California’s fragmented peace officer classifications, undermines our profession’s unity and strength. California PC Section 830 has always been an issue for law enforcement. While we all know that this penal code section, and the subsections that follow, defines who is a peace officer in the state of California, it has a complicated history. Back in the day, PC 830 had even more subsections than it does today — creating a lack of consistency in what support different officers receive and causing a need for reform.

In 1989, PORAC and some partner organizations pushed for consolidation of the penal code through legislation, and we were able to get it passed. This tightened up the penal code, which created a better system for our members, but it was far from perfect.

The issues persist: varying authority to carry off-roster firearms, inconsistent training levels and unequal workers’ compensation and benefits. Counties and cities exploit these discrepancies to cut costs, shortchanging officers. While we are in a better place than we were 30 years ago, there are still over 15 different subsections in PC 830.

The pandemic exposed this inequity starkly — officers working the same scenes, facing the same risks, received vastly different support based solely on their PC 830 subsection. When it came to providing benefits to officers who got sick on the job, not all officers received the same treatment. Depending on their penal code subsection, some peace officers received full coverage, while others received nothing.

For example, an officer who is categorized in Section 830.1 will have different training, benefits and protections than a peace officer in Section 830.31, even if they are sent to work at the same scene and are exposed to the same risk. Why? Simply because they are classified as a peace officer in a different subsection of the California penal code.

This is unacceptable. PORAC is pushing to further streamline Penal Code 830, uniting all full-time peace officers under a unified classification. A unified code ensures equal training, benefits and authority for all who serve. So, when PORAC is advocating on behalf of the profession, we are advocating on behalf of the whole profession.

We did not get into this position overnight and we won’t be able to solve this overnight. As we move forward with our proposed penal code consolidation, our goal would be to place all full-time peace officers under the same category, or reduce it down to two or three categories but allow everyone to receive the same benefits. This is how Fire does it — all are considered firefighters, go through the same trainings and have the same authority and benefits. PORAC believes this should be true for California peace officers, too.

As a forward-thinking organization, PORAC is always strategizing on how we can improve and create a stronger landscape for all California peace officers, something that separates us from other organizations in the state and nationally. We know that as police scrutiny and calls for reform continue to be at the forefront of the conversation, it will be imperative that all California peace officers receive the same benefits and training, making us the platinum standard in America.

Law enforcement is constantly dealing with changes and challenges, and PORAC believes we should be united in dealing with issues — without leaving our own behind.

To amplify this mission, in this issue of the magazine we’re launching a new series of articles highlighting the diverse roles that make up the profession of “peace officer,” such as police officers, sheriff’s deputies, park rangers, airport police and many more. (Go to page 12 to start reading the first three profiles in this series.) We want to share their work and their stories, putting a face, name and agency on each classification so you get a clear understanding of why we are pushing for this reform and why all full-time peace officers deserve the same rights.

Updating the penal code will be no easy task. It will take a lot of discussions and meetings with the chiefs, sheriffs, POST, peace officers, the organizations who represent them and our elected officials. We must plant the seed and begin the work. This is why we are sharing this with you now: to get members familiar with what’s wrong with the penal code, how to fix it and what PORAC is doing to make that happen.

Join us to ensure every peace officer is treated equally. Together, we’ll build a stronger, united profession.