California commission to work with POST on hate-response training video; commissioners press for evaluation and transparency

The California Commission on the State of Hate agreed to begin working with the state Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) commission to produce a training video for law enforcement on responding to hate crimes and hate incidents, but commissioners pressed officials for clearer evaluation plans and public transparency.

Commissioner Krishna Danske said the commission will "start meeting with POST next week" to outline the video’s content and script, with filming planned for April–May. The proposed sections include an overview of Assembly Bill 449, how to identify hate crimes versus hate incidents, how officers should document evidence, community engagement before and after incidents, and referrals to the state hotline California vs. Hate.

Why it matters: AB 449 creates new reporting and training obligations for law enforcement agencies and includes requirements that many commissioners said will only be meaningful if agencies actually complete the training and the state can verify who received it. Several commissioners said parts of AB 449 are enacted but some program components are still awaiting funding, meaning follow-up materials may be needed once budgets are finalized.

Commissioners raised three recurring concerns. Commissioner Senar urged the commission to insist that POST share usage data so the commission can audit take-up: "If that kind of expectation that we will, as a commission, receive that information on some regular basis ... can be worked out formally in an agreement with POST." Commissioner Southers, drawing on decades of POST experience, said POST tracks mandatory trainings and roll-call attendances but noted training materials historically have not been publicly accessible. Vice Chair Salcedo argued that brief video modules alone risk becoming a "check-the-box" exercise and urged a larger focus on cultural transformation and accountability rather than one-off viewings.

Commissioner Levin and others urged the subcommittee to incorporate evidence about what works in policing and alternatives. Several commissioners referenced a Little Hoover Commission review noting the state spends heavily on trainings but rarely evaluates their effects in the field.

Commissioners also emphasized community involvement in content development. Commissioners named organizations that will be invited to participate in the production process, including disability-rights groups and community-based organizations that work with Asian, Black, Sikh, Muslim and LGBTQ communities.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the January meeting minutes earlier in the session (motion moved by Commissioner Feiler, seconded by Commissioner Che; roll call recorded six ayes) and later adjourned at 11:10 a.m. (adjournment moved by Vice Chair Salcedo, seconded by Commissioner Che; outcome: adjourned).

What’s next: The subcommittee will meet with POST and return with a proposed script and follow-up timeline at a future commission meeting. Commissioners said they will seek written agreements about data-sharing and evaluation before finalizing the video deliverable.