(a) Commencing July 1, 2005, any reference to the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training or CPOST shall refer to the Corrections Standards Authority established pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6024) of Title 7 of Part 3. As of that date, the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training is abolished. (b) The Legislature finds and declares that peace officers of the state correctional system, including youth and adult correctional facilities, fulfill responsibilities that require creation and application of sound selection criteria for applicants and standards for their training prior to assuming their duties. For the purposes of this section, correctional peace officers are peace officers as defined in Section 830.5 and employed or designated by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Legislature further finds that sound applicant selection and training are essential to public safety and in carrying out the missions of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in the custody and care of the state`s offender population. The greater degree of professionalism which will result from sound screening criteria and a significant training curriculum will greatly aid the department in maintaining smooth, efficient, and safe operations and effective programs in the department. (c) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall, with advice from the Corrections Standards Authority, appoint a subordinate officer to serve as executive director of the board. The subordinate officer shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary. The subordinate officer shall appoint staff as provided for in the annual Budget Act, beginning in the 2005-06 fiscal year.
